Results 45,241-45,260 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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

Micheál Martin: I have received a letter from the group to which the Deputy refers. The Government remains deeply concerned about the treatment of Falun Gong practitioners in China. Questions in this regard — including specific cases — are raised regularly with the Chinese authorities, within the context of our own regular discussions with them on issues of human rights and fundamental freedoms and...

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

Micheál Martin: More than six weeks after the signing of a power-sharing agreement between Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party, and the Tsvangirai and Mutambara factions of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), there has still been no agreement on forming a Government, and the situation in Zimbabwe remains deeply worrying. Although political violence has diminished, it has not stopped. The rate of inflation is...

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

Micheál Martin: Rwanda is one of the most stable countries in the Great Lakes region. It has made enormous progress in establishing peace, security and good governance since the genocide of 1994. Rwanda's stability is underpinned by strong levels of economic growth and it has won praise from international donors for its innovative approach to development. On 15 September last the country held its second...

Written Answers — Youth Services: Youth Services (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: While my Department does not provide any frontline youth services, it does provide funding for many initiatives which are either directly or indirectly targeted at younger members of society. Ireland's annual budgetary contribution to the Council of Europe contains an item for the European Youth Foundation. Out of a total budget contribution of €2,692,472 in 2008, for which this Department...

Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Second Stage. (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The principal purpose of this Bill is to make provision in domestic law for the obligations the State will assume under the Convention on Cluster Munitions. As the House will be aware, the convention was adopted by consensus at the conclusion of the Dublin diplomatic conference last May at Croke Park. It will be opened for signature at a...

Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Second Stage. (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: The convention prohibits all types of cluster munitions that have ever been used in an armed conflict. Furthermore, following proposals made by the Irish delegation, the convention also prohibits explosive bomblets that are specifically designed to be dispersed or released from dispensers affixed to aircraft in the same way as it does cluster munitions proper. This is an extremely important...

Cluster Munitions and Anti-Personnel Mines Bill 2008: Order for Second Stage (4 Nov 2008)

Micheál Martin: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Written Answers — Price Increases: Price Increases (30 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The only charges for services levied by my Department are in respect of consular and passport fees and these have not increased since 2005.

Written Answers — Anti-Racism Measures: Anti-Racism Measures (30 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the ongoing issue of sectarian behaviour at Scottish Premier League games. I am conscious of the distress and offence it 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 various issues. In recent weeks, the Consul General has been in close contact with senior officials in...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (30 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: Together with our European Union partners, Ireland is closely monitoring investigations by the Colombian Supreme Court into the alleged association of members of Congress and Government officials with paramilitary groups in Colombia. Any association between elected representatives or officials and paramilitary groups is a matter of serious concern in itself, and also has the capacity further...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: Human rights issues are a standard element in all discussions with the Government of China, including during the Taoiseach's meeting last week with the Chinese Prime Minister. I did not accompany the Taoiseach to China on this occasion. On a bilateral level, senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs engage in regular meetings with the Chinese Embassy in Dublin on human rights...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: If the Deputy provides further details on the individual applicant who is the subject of this question my Department would be happy to look into the circumstances of the case. Embassies abroad charge visa application fees in accordance with the Diplomatic and Consular Fees (Amendment) Regulations 2004. The fee for a single entry visa application is €60. Fees for translation of documents...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 338 to 340, inclusive, together. I have long been aware of the tremendous contribution of charities and individuals who have worked to help the children of Chernobyl. Once I became aware of possible restrictions on the children's travel, I arranged a meeting with Adi Roche of Chernobyl Children's Project International on 8 September to review the situation. I...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Government consistently raises with the British Government ongoing issues which are the legacy of the Troubles. This includes issues arising from the bombing in Omagh in August 1998 which resulted in appalling loss of life and injury. Following the recent revelations made by a BBC documentary relating to the Omagh bombing, I again raised our concerns with the Secretary of State for...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs implements the following schemes involving awards to staff: the Scheme of Performance Related Pay Awards and the Exceptional Performance Awards Scheme. Scheme of Performance Related Pay Awards. The Scheme of Performance Related Pay Awards in the Civil Service applies to Deputy and Assistant Secretaries and equivalent grades. It does not apply to Secretaries...

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: President Sarkozy mentioned the Deputy's e-mail.

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Ó Snodaigh's party would recognise that themselves.

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Council agreed that a financial crisis cell would be established, which would provide an early warning and information exchange mechanism for EU member states to relay information to the President of the Commission, the European Central Bank and the euro group of countries. The details and procedures for the cell are to be finalised by ECOFIN. It is desired by all member states in order...

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: It is a statement of principles. With regard to Pat Cox, there are 27 member states and the reflection group is composed of 12 of them. The majority of member states do not have a member of the group. Pat Cox's name was suggested about ten months ago, but it seems that the former Spanish Prime Minister, Felipe Gonzales, who is chairing the group, went more for academics and former...

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Council has established an independent reflection group to help the European Union to anticipate and meet the international challenges in the period 2020 to 2030. Basically, it is looking at the key issues and developments which the Union is likely to face, analysing those, strengthening and modernising the European model of economic success and social responsibility, enhancing the...