Results 45,481-45,500 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (26 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I remain deeply concerned at the situation in Somalia. The country has been without an effective government since 1991. Despite an initial period of stability after Ethiopian troops and Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces defeated the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) the situation worsened significantly in December 2006. Fighting in Mogadishu since October 2007 has prompted hundreds of...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (26 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: There are a number of Grant-in Aid programmes currently operating within my Department. A breakdown of this Grant in Aid expenditure across the two Votes of my Department is detailed below in tabular form for the period 2007 and 2008 (to date). Grant–in–Aid Expenditure 2007 2008 (to date) € 000's € 000's Vote 28 Foreign Affairs Subhead E — Contributions to Bodies in...

Written Answers — Consular Services: Consular Services (26 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: On 28 May, my Department first became aware of the case referred to by the Deputy when our Embassy in Ljubljana, which is accredited to Bosnia-Herzegovina, was informed by the British Embassy in Sarajevo of the person's death on 26 May at the Clinical Hospital in Mostar. Since then, my Department has provided consular assistance to the family. Our Embassy in Ljubljana liaised with the local...

Written Answers — EU Treaties: EU Treaties (25 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government decided on the basis of the Attorney General's advice that ratification of the Lisbon Treaty would require an amendment of the Constitution. It is not the practice of the Government, however, to reveal the detailed contents of such advice.

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (25 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The European Union and Ireland had strongly supported providing resources and personnel to help monitor the second round of the presidential elections in Zimbabwe. However, Zimbabwean Government representatives have made clear their refusal to accept monitors from the EU. As will be appreciated it is simply not possible to monitor elections without host country consent. I utterly condemn the...

Written Answers — European Affairs: European Affairs (25 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: In the Dáil debate on June 4th last, the Government welcomed the special report by the Joint Committee on European Scrutiny on the enhanced role for national parliaments provided for in the Lisbon Reform Treaty. The Joint Committee is to be congratulated on the quality of its report. The report clearly identified the need to establish EU business as part of the regular routine of both...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (25 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Peace Monument was always envisaged for the border region. During the course of consideration of possible locations, it was brought to the Department's attention that there was a suitable site, already in State ownership, at Carrickcarnan, Co Louth. This site is visible from the motorway from both the Northern and Southern approaches, it is easy to access and already has preliminary car...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (25 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: While my Department has an overall coordinating role in EU matters, it does not have the core responsibility for transposing EU Directives into Irish law. This responsibility rests with the Departments which are responsible for our national legislative and regulatory framework in the policy areas covered by individual Directives. I would recall that the volume of Directives adopted at EU...

European Council: Statements (25 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: He is on the Deputy's side.

European Council: Statements (25 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The volume, quality and nature of posters is a matter outside my remit and is perhaps a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The debate was marked and characterised by posters with excessive hype, exaggeration and hyperbole. They were clearly wrong and appealed to people's emotions. The degree of their impact is open to question. I am also conscious...

European Council: Statements (25 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: People circumvented the regulations to use the resources and funding to propagate what were, in essence, very misleading assertions and allegations about the content of the treaty. The Deputy raises an interesting point about how the debate unfolded in the broadcast media. It is a matter on which we could all reflect. Those on the "Yes" side cannot complain about the rules of the game...

European Council: Statements (25 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: Maybe they were panicking too early but people from the "No" campaign went after the Referendum Commission because of its clarification on issues such as abortion, neutrality and the free trade agreement. As soon as it did so, people questioned its right to do so. I do not want to be in that position now. One of the best programmes on the treaty was the "Prime Time" programme of two weeks...

European Council: Statements (25 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The point about research is covered. We want the research to embrace the attitudes to the EU, not just the general attitude but how people see Ireland's role in the Union into the future. We took at face value the protestations of those who advocated "No" to Lisbon that they were for the EU and for Ireland being at the heart of the EU. Those who advocated "No" said this repeatedly and with...

European Council: Statements (25 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I take the point made by Deputy Gilmore. If that is the case, there is a responsibility on such groups not just to present a document, to wish us the best of luck negotiating it and to retain a reserve position to oppose it if 80% of the document is not achieved but rather to use their influence to keep Ireland at the heart of the Union. That is the objective of the Government. At the...

European Council: Statements (25 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Acting Chairman is diplomatically suggesting that I move on faster.

European Council: Statements (25 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: There is a career for the Acting Chairman in diplomacy. We argue the non-ratification of the Lisbon treaty diminishes the capacity of the European Union to deal effectively with global issues which affect people on the streets and in their homes in this country and across the Union. In a nutshell this is what I believe the inability to get the Lisbon treaty through means. In terms of energy...

European Council: Statements (25 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach was strong and robust at the European Union. He articulated what the Irish people decided. He stated to his European colleagues and Heads of State that they had to respect it. They did respect it and did not seek to isolate Ireland. He also stated that we do not have answers. Europe is in difficulty. We do not have any quick fixes or solutions. The Taoiseach made this...

European Council: Statements (25 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am not in a position to outline the options at this point in time. It is far too early and we are in a period of analysis. I intend to engage with the Oireachtas on this issue over the coming months. It is important that the supremacy of the Dáil as the elected forum of the people is reflected and has an input. With regard to the bio-fuels issue, conflicting views exist on the impact of...

Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: It will assist the prospects for Killarney tourism.

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (24 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 212 to 220, inclusive, together. Human rights are, and have always been, a priority of successive Governments and central to our foreign policy. Together with our EU partners, the Government monitors the human rights situations in many countries, on the basis of information obtained from a variety of sources including non-governmental organisations. Where the...