Results 45,541-45,560 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin
- Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: Ireland has a network of 75 resident diplomatic and consular Missions abroad (57 Embassies, 6 multilateral missions and 12 Consulates General and other offices), as well as the British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat in Belfast and the North-South Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat in Armagh. The White Paper on Irish Aid, published in September 2006, designated Malawi as Ireland's...
- Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: The Government continues to attach the highest importance to resolving the plight of our undocumented citizens in the United States. My predecessor raised this issue repeatedly on his many visits to the US and the former Taoiseach highlighted it during his address to the Joint Houses of Congress on 30 April. In the absence of comprehensive immigration reform, which would legalise most of...
- Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: Cooperation between the European Union and Latin America in combating the trade in illicit drugs takes place within a well-defined framework, both in terms of policy and institutional mechanisms. EU policy toward illicit drugs is founded on the basic principles adopted under the 1998 Political Declaration of the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGASS), the current EU...
- Written Answers — International Terrorism: International Terrorism (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: My colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, has primary responsibility for policy matters relating to the security of the State. As a member of the European Union's Justice and Home Affairs Council, he participates in the taking of decisions and the adoption of measures aimed at dealing with terrorism and the terrorist threat within the European Union. International...
- Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: The Good Friday Agreement recognises the birthright of all the people of Northern Ireland to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British, or both, as they may so choose, and accordingly confirms their right to hold both British and Irish citizenship. In addition, persons born on the Island of Ireland before 1 January 2005 are automatically entitled to Irish citizenship. In the...
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: I thank all Members who contributed to this debate. I will emphasise one reality immediately. The outcome of the referendum was clear and must be respected. Clearly, the people were not persuaded of the necessity of the treaty or of the benefits to Ireland and Europe which it contained. A limited few at home and abroad have suggested the vote represents a questioning of our relationship...
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: To what?
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: The word "hope" certainly was intended in respect of steering the ship to safer waters.
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: We are in a highly uncertain position.
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: I would not understateââ
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: My experience since I was a child in the city of Cork means its motto, Statio Bene Fide Carinis, or safe harbour for ships, is embedded in my subconscious. I apologise for the reference to a safe harbour.
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: From this comes a natural, optimistic kind of esprit de corps.
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: Great challenges lie ahead and the Government is by no means understating them. Ireland and the European Union are in a very difficult position. The Deputy asked about the timetable but I do not have one, as there is none. The Government has asked for time and space to analyse the underlying issues, both in respect of the campaign and underlying attitudes to the European Union. This will...
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: Yes, although the Lisbon treaty would have postponed this development until after 2014. Deputy Timmins then asked what was Ireland's position in respect of negotiations on this issue. To be frank, the Government is trying to draw breath. Obviously, like in all negotiations, it will try to represent Ireland's best interests and achieve the best we can from that scenario, but it is unclear.
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: No. The Deputy asked what would be the attitude of our colleagues, were matters to remain as they are, and how they could go ahead without us. As I noted, this is not their desire. They certainly cannot proceed with the Lisbon treaty. However, a point that a number of commentators have been trying to make for some time is that the real issue should not necessarily be about the legalities,...
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: The Taoiseach would not countenance in any way a two-tier European Union. Many other member states would be against such a scenario. At the Council meeting on Monday many member states clearly articulated that it was something they would not entertain under any circumstances. The Deputy spoke about those countries that had ratified the treaty and those that were in the process of so doing....
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: I really do not want to do so. We do not have a timetable for the consultations and practical steps to which the Deputy referred. We can obtain legal advice on the constitutional issue and those matters which merited a referendum and those which did not. However, there are always grey areas in a treaty. I will come back to the Deputy on the matter at a later stage. I agree with the...
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: Government policy is to ensure Ireland remains at the heart of the European Union. Arising from the vote and the decision of the people, we are examining how best we can ensure this. The legal position is that the Lisbon treaty cannot go ahead without 27 member states supporting it. However, rather than rush to hasty conclusions, we will have time to reflect and then map a definitive way...
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: One can form a subjective judgment on how one can interpret the vote. I did not get a sense during the campaign that people wanted to move away from the European Union.
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Micheál Martin: They did not have to put it to the people, constitutionally. The way the debate emerged indicated that somehow the people had been denied. The degree to which parliamentary democracy was undermined in the debate was astonishing. Parliaments in parliamentary democracies are democratically elected but throughout the campaign during the last six weeks it was as if they were pariahs, unelected...