Results 45,461-45,480 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (8 Jul 2008)

Micheál Martin: The number of staff employed in my Department is 1,242. This figure excludes approximately 300 staff who are recruited locally to work in our Missions abroad, as well as 90 Temporary Clerical Officers engaged by the Passport Office on fixed term contracts to help meet the increased demand for passports in the lead up to, and during, the busy summer period. With the exception of the 17...

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (8 Jul 2008)

Micheál Martin: There are no agencies operating under the responsibility of my Department. However, there are three Advisory Committees and one Educational Commission, which operate under the aegis of the Department. All individuals who serve on these four bodies do so in a voluntary capacity. Details on these four bodies are set out in this answer. The Development Education Advisory Committee was...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (8 Jul 2008)

Micheál Martin: There are no State Agencies operating under the aegis of my Department. However, there are a number of bodies and advisory committees, some of whom have administrative budgets. The Advisory Board for Irish Aid, which replaced the Irish Aid Advisory Committee, was established in August 2002 to provide general oversight and advice to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister of State...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (8 Jul 2008)

Micheál Martin: All staff employed by the Department are in receipt of a salary which is in excess of the national minimum wage.

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (8 Jul 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for two Votes, namely Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 29 (International Cooperation). Details of twenty three reports commissioned by my Department from 2002 to date in 2008 are set out in this answer. Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) Reports Task Force on Policy Regarding Emigrants The Government established the Task Force in December 2001 to...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (3 Jul 2008)

Micheál Martin: Under the Government's decentralisation programme, the Development Cooperation Directorate of the Department of Foreign Affairs, which is Irish Aid's Headquarters, is decentralising to Limerick. Following sanction by the Department of Finance of additional posts for DCD, the total number of posts decentralising to Limerick has increased from the original figure of 124 agreed by Government to...

Written Answers — Efficiency Reviews: Efficiency Reviews (3 Jul 2008)

Micheál Martin: In Budget 2008, the then Tánaiste and Minister for Finance announced that the Government agreed to an efficiency review of administrative spending across all Departments. As part of this process, Departments were required to examine their administrative spending and to provide specific proposals for savings to the Department of Finance. My Department has submitted relevant proposals to the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (3 Jul 2008)

Micheál Martin: The following table sets out the number of staff broken down by grade/position working in my Department and the number of vacancies currently being carried. The figure of 1,242 excludes approximately 300 staff who are recruited locally to work in our Missions abroad, as well as 90 Temporary Clerical Officers engaged by the Passport Office on fixed term contracts to help meet the increased...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (3 Jul 2008)

Micheál Martin: The following table shows the numbers of staff from my Department who received support, or are receiving support, for post-graduate educational courses for the period in question. These figures are in respect of Masters and PhD programmes. Academic Year No. 2004-2005 16 2005-2006 19 2006-2007 17 2007-2008 13

Hazardous Waste: Statements (2 Jul 2008)

Micheál Martin: Fine Gael sold it off for one pound.

Hazardous Waste: Statements (2 Jul 2008)

Micheál Martin: Was that the National Cancer Registry?

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (1 Jul 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Government has repeatedly stated its desire to see the United States Administration take steps to release or bring to trial all detainees in accordance with established legal norms, and to close Guantánamo Bay as soon as possible. Ireland has raised the issue of the detainees in Guantánamo Bay with the US authorities on numerous occasions. In all contacts with the US authorities,...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (1 Jul 2008)

Micheál Martin: The European Union's 1996 Common Position on Cuba, adopted under the Irish Presidency in 1996, remains the basis of both the European Union's and Ireland's approach to relations with that country. The aims of the EU Common Position include encouraging a process of peaceful transition towards a pluralist democracy, promoting human rights and improving the living conditions of the Cuban people....

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (1 Jul 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 332 and 333 together. The Programme for Government of June 2007 committed us to campaign for a complete ban on the use of cluster munitions and to seek agreement on an immediate freeze on their use pending the establishment of effective international instruments to address humanitarian concerns. In implementation of this commitment, Ireland hosted and chaired...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (1 Jul 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Department's Reconciliation Fund has as its term of reference to assist organisations working to facilitate better relations within and between the two traditions in the North, between North and South, and between Ireland and Britain. Decisions on funding from the Reconciliation Fund are made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on foot of recommendations from an interdepartmental Advisory...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (1 Jul 2008)

Micheál Martin: Ireland shares Amnesty International's objective of achieving a comprehensive international Arms Trade Treaty establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms. In 2006 we cosponsored the UN resolution which commenced preparatory work within the UN to this end. The 2007 Programme for Government contains a specific commitment "to support a...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (1 Jul 2008)

Micheál Martin: The situation in Zimbabwe is very grave and of the utmost concern to the Government and to the international community. This deep concern is strongly shared by members of the Oireachtas and by the Irish people. I have made consistently clear our utter condemnation of the conditions under which last Friday's run-off election took place. The widespread state-sponsored violence and intimidation,...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (1 Jul 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 338 and 339 together. The Government are and have for some considerable time been very concerned about the welfare of the Irish community in Zimbabwe. In the last two years, the Irish Abroad Unit of the Department has supported two Irish community organisations in that country, the Mashonaland Irish Association and the Bulawayo Irish Association. This funding...

Seanad: Situation in Zimbabwe: Statements (Resumed) (1 Jul 2008)

Micheál Martin: I thank all Senators for their contributions to this debate, begun by Senator Maurice Cummins. As he and many others pointed out, Ireland has strong links with Zimbabwe and Africa in general and we are genuinely concerned about the situation that has developed. I share the high level of concern articulated by all Members of this House. I reiterate the Government's utter condemnation of the...

Seanad: Situation in Zimbabwe: Statements (1 Jul 2008)

Micheál Martin: The eyes of the world are focused with sorrow and disgust on the continuing tragedy in Zimbabwe. It is opportune, therefore, to place on the record of the House our shared and utter condemnation of that situation and our rejection of the sham re-election of Robert Mugabe after a campaign of violence and other gross abuses that made free and fair elections impossible and forced the withdrawal...