Results 45,321-45,340 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Election Results: Election Results (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: I accept the democratically expressed will of the Austrian people. I have no doubt that other EU member States take a similar position.

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned about the situation in Afghanistan. As was the case when I last addressed this issue in the House on 1 May, there are very clear difficulties regarding security, human rights, governance and rule of law issues, and the production of narcotics. The security situation remains a particular cause for concern. In his most recent report on Afghanistan entitled "The...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: Ireland established diplomatic relations with Bolivia in 1999. Ireland is accredited to Bolivia on a non-resident basis through our Embassy in Buenos Aires, while Bolivia is accredited to Ireland on a non-resident basis through their Embassy in London. In relation to the recent expulsion from Bolivia of the US Ambassador to that country, and the subsequent reciprocal expulsion of the...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: All locally recruited staff in Irish Missions abroad, including those based in the other EU Member States, are treated equitably regardless of nationality. Local staff are remunerated at the mid to upper end of local salary norms and are employed in compliance with the applicable labour legislation. Where Irish statutory minimum standards exceed local entitlements, Irish standards are...

Written Answers — Emigrant Issues: Emigrant Issues (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: According to Central Statistics Office estimates, approximately 16,200 Irish emigrants returned to live in Ireland in the past year, bringing the total number of returned emigrants since 2003 to over 107,000. As the Deputy will be aware, the vast majority of returning emigrants do not request State assistance in making arrangements for their return. However, some returning emigrants do...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: This matter has not arisen in discussion among EU colleagues. The Nuclear Suppliers Group decision to permit nuclear trade with India followed the statement on 5 September 2008 by the External Affairs Minister of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, reiterating India's voluntary steps in relation to nuclear non-proliferation, testing and related policies. This decision was specific to India. I am...

Written Answers — EU Treaties: EU Treaties (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: I had a meeting on 6 October with the Committee on Constitutional Affairs of the European Parliament which provided a useful opportunity to hear first-hand the concerns of MEPs from across the Union on issues related to the Lisbon Treaty. A number of MEPs also raised concerns about the funding of organisations seeking a No vote during our referendum campaign. I confirmed to the European...

Written Answers — EU Treaties: EU Treaties (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The decision of the Irish people on 12 June has been the subject of considerable discussion with our European Union partners. Most recently, last week, on 1 October, I accompanied the Taoiseach as he travelled to Paris to discuss the matter with the President of the European Council, Nicolas Sarkozy. On Monday of this week, I had a series of meetings in Brussels with Members of the European...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The reduction of hunger, war and instability in Africa is one of the most important tasks of the international community in the 21st century, and continues to be a priority for both the European Union and the United Nations. In our dialogue with partners in the EU and the UN, Ireland is a strong advocate for the developing world and for international peace and security. Conflict has many...

Written Answers — Common Security and Defence Policy: Common Security and Defence Policy (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Battlegroup concept is designed to provide the European Union with the capacity to respond rapidly to emerging crisis situations, within the overall context of the European Union's security and defence policy. Battlegroups are designed to participate in time-limited missions of 30 days, extendable to a maximum of 120 days, by which time the operation would have concluded, or the...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: Ireland has a network of 75 resident diplomatic and consular Missions abroad, as well as the British-Irish Inter-Governmental Secretariat in Belfast and the North-South Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat in Armagh. While the opening of new Embassies abroad is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis, any expansion of our diplomatic network can, as I am sure the Deputy will...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: The December 2007 European Council reaffirmed that the future of the Western Balkans lies within the European Union. The countries within that region (Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia) continue to feature on the agenda of the General Affairs and External Relations Council. The European Union's Stabilisation and...

International Agreements. (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: At a meeting in Washington on 24 September, the United States Deputy Secretary of State, John Negroponte, and I signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a new working holiday programme between our two countries. The agreement represents a significant and positive development in our migration arrangements with the United States and will help foster the growth of new and lasting...

International Agreements. (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: As I stated in my earlier reply, we expect the agreement to come into effect in November. People will be able to seek details of the programme from my Department. Initial applications may have to be sent through the US Embassy in Dublin. The definition of "post-secondary student" encompasses all those currently enrolled in a recognised third level degree programme. Students at vocational...

International Agreements. (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: That is the case.

International Agreements. (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: It is his military background.

International Agreements. (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: Ireland is the first country to achieve a working holiday agreement with the US. I do not want to understate the significance of that. Negotiations were held over several years and the scheme is not open ended in the sense that it is available only to those who are in post-secondary education or within 12 months of graduation from third level education. A similar agreement has been in place...

International Agreements. (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: When the US-India civil nuclear co-operation deal was originally agreed in principle between President Bush and Prime Minister Singh in 2005, and during the lengthy and complex process which followed, Ireland was to the fore in raising concerns and asking questions in regard to its impact on the global disarmament and non-proliferation regime. However, we noted that the deal would extend the...

International Agreements. (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: It is not fair to use pejorative language such as "you have done this or that", "you have thrown in the towel", or "rolled over".

International Agreements. (9 Oct 2008)

Micheál Martin: Those are not the facts.