Results 45,221-45,240 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Overseas Development Aid. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: The budget for Irish Aid is substantial, at over €800 million. One can argue a point in terms of an annual report or the White Paper, but we need to disseminate a message in this respect across the country.

Overseas Development Aid. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: We are all birds of passage here. What will sustain this country's ongoing and long-term commitment to Africa and to the poorest of the poor is the generation of sufficient awareness of what we are doing domestically to inform subsequent public policy to ensure our commitment in that respect remains at the core as one of our primary objectives. I saw the annual report and I thought it was a...

Overseas Development Aid. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: They will do it any way. They are raising funds. Many schools are engaged in the WorldWise programme, which is administered by Irish Aid. That represents the future. If we can inspire our young people in that manner, it will be money well spent, provided we do it well and effectively.

Overseas Development Aid. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: Yes, in the sense of the world. I am pessimistic about achieving them. The summit that was convened in September was important to shake up and refocus people on attaining those goals. I pay contribute to the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, in that respect. He led well on that issue and continues to do so. He is a good example of an international leader who brings a global...

Diplomatic Representation. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: The relationship between Ireland and the United States is deep, close and enduring. Successive presidents and their administrations, and Ireland's many friends on Capitol Hill from both sides of the aisle, have made an enormous contribution to bringing peace and economic prosperity to this island. These efforts have been greatly assisted by the distinguished individuals who have served as...

Diplomatic Representation. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I challenge the Deputy on that.

Diplomatic Representation. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I wish to make it clear that I take seriously the campaign platforms of both President-elect Obama and the defeated candidate Senator John McCain. We have analysed them, we are mindful of them and will not ignore them. There are up to 474 US companies in Ireland employing approximately 95,000 people. I do not wish to digress but there has been a significant assault on the public service...

Diplomatic Representation. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: That is what I said.

Diplomatic Representation. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: In my Department.

Diplomatic Representation. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: On the economic side, IDA Ireland has significant bases in the US, but in relative terms, compared to some of our competitors it has nothing exorbitant in terms of numbers. Enterprise Ireland has a team in the US, as has the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Tourism Ireland, Bord Bia, the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Communications, Energy and Natural...

Foreign Conflicts. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 105, 119, 127, 143, 145 and 149 together. I have already set out the very difficult situation in the Gaza Strip in my earlier reply to a priority question. The Government agrees with those who state that the effective isolation of Gaza constitutes collective punishment and is illegal under international humanitarian law. There is also a political dimension to...

Foreign Conflicts. (5 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I have already made my points about Ireland having a strong position within the European Union in tying any trade agreement between Israel and the EU firmly in the political context and particularly linking it to the creation of a two-state solution and the peace settlement. There have been talks under the Annapolis process between the leaders of the Palestinian Authority and the outgoing...

Human Rights Abuses. (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Given how often it has been raised in the House and Seanad Éireann, both I and my predecessors have set out the Government's policy unequivocally, that is, we have always been totally opposed to the practice of extraordinary rendition anywhere. The policy has not changed. The House will be aware that, last week, the Government decided to establish...

Tax Code. (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputy Clune for raising this issue on the Adjournment. It is widely acknowledged that the Cork docklands project advanced by Cork City Council is potentially of major significance to the city itself. From the outset, the Government has also viewed it as a project of national significance. The council is to be congratulated on articulating an ambitious vision for the regeneration...

Tax Code. (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: The allocation is being deferred for 2009.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: The issue of extraordinary rendition has been raised on numerous occasions in this House. As has been made repeatedly clear, the Government is completely opposed to the practice of the extraordinary rendition of prisoners. I wish to reiterate at the outset that none of the various investigations into allegations of extraordinary rendition have revealed any evidence, or even resulted in a...

Written Answers — Racism in Sport: Racism in Sport (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the on-going issue of sectarian behaviour, including the singing of offensive songs, at Scottish premier league games and of the distress that this can cause. Since its opening in 1998, the Consulate General of Ireland in Edinburgh has maintained a wide-ranging dialogue with the Scottish Government on issues. In recent weeks the Consul General has been in close contact with...

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: Responsibility for Irish foreign policy lies in the first instance with the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Particular responsibility for policy on Overseas Development Assistance is assigned to the Minister of State for Overseas Development at my Department, Mr Peter Power, T.D. Minister Power oversees the Development Cooperation Directorate, a Division of my Department, which is responsible...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: There has been a substantial improvement in security in Iraq over the past eighteen months, although the level of violence remains quite high. Control of security has now been returned to Iraqi forces in all but five of Iraq's eighteen provinces. A large part of the improvement has been the general subsidence of inter-community sectarian violence. It is a matter of particular concern,...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned about the situation in Afghanistan. Very clear difficulties exist in the country in relation to security issues, human rights, governance and the rule of law, and narcotics. The security situation of course remains a particular cause for concern, including in areas along the Afghan-Pakistan border. In this context, I welcome the meeting of Pakistan and Afghan political...