Results 45,561-45,580 of 50,917 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: Germany, for example, has legitimate historical reasons for not holding a referendum. Therefore, we cannot insist that the way we do things is the way everybody else should do their business. In the context of our written Constitution, there was an obligation on us to proceed in the way we did, but that does not mean we have to impose the way we do things on the rest of Europe.

Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: As I said in reply to Deputy Costello, these are issues that we are examining. I shall put it this way to the Deputy: we have not decided on any option. We are examining and reflecting, but obviously shall take on board whatever is warranted.

Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Deputy makes a fair point. It will be part of my policy to conduct a fundamental review, take steps and develop a programme that will facilitate an engagement with people on the European Union. I again stress that the barometer survey is preliminary, but it indicates that young people, apparently——

Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: It will be published when all the data are finally put together. It seems young people voted against the treaty, two to one. That rings an alarm bell in terms of what Deputy Creed said about a disconnect. There is also a sense that, notwithstanding the fact that the campaign was very much conducted on the back foot, there was no instinctive enthusiasm. It appears that the European project...

Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: It is above and beyond it.

Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I shall have to revert to the Deputy on that matter.

Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: Legally, they cannot proceed with the Lisbon treaty without all 27 member states on board.

Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: What we are discussing is hypothetical as regards what could happen and how other member states might proceed. At this juncture member states are seeking to resolve the issue in the best interests of the European Union, including Ireland. They value our continued membership of the Union. That will be the focus in the coming months to see whether we can find a way forward to resolve this...

Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: As I said, we are examining and reflecting. When the Taoiseach said we did not have immediate answers, he was telling the truth, because prior to the referendum, we had said a "Yes" result would mean certainty, while a "No" result would mean genuine uncertainty. It was not the case, as I told a journalist, that we had the Lisbon treaty in one hand and an alternative to it in the other that...

Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I have dealt with some of these questions already. On the fundamental question of whether the onus is on Ireland primarily, it is on both Ireland and the European Union. We shall have to consult domestically and in the House. That is why I welcome this debate. I shall also be consulting the committees of the Oireachtas. In our examination of the issues involved, to be frank, the primacy...

Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: Deputy Creed and other Members raised the issue of a disconnect which our European colleagues understand. It is not only an Irish issue. Across Europe there is a particular perception of the European Union and the need for it to get more into substance and policy.

Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Lisbon treaty which addresses the institutions of the European Union has taken seven years to negotiate. Several issues were raised during the referendum campaign which must be analysed to determine how we should proceed.

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am in broad agreement with the Deputy. The Government would welcome further initiatives to address this issue in the United Nations framework. I was taken by an article written by former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, which appeared in today's edition of the Financial Times. In it, Mr. Annan stated that the victor of an unfair vote must be under no illusions and will not have the...

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: ——that is where we must head.

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I understand the Deputy's point. It is a fundamental issue——

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: ——that demands careful consideration. Our strategy to date has been to work with our southern African region partners as the people who ultimately have the strongest influence and access. We believe that has yielded some results. We would accept that it has not done enough and that the progress has not been of a degree or nature that we would find acceptable here. Our judgment call at...

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The breaking of diplomatic relations with Chad by Sudan followed an attack on 11 May by rebels from the Justice and Equality Movement, JEM, on the outskirts of the Sudanese capital, Khartoum. The Sudanese government accused Chad of backing the JEM rebels. The UN Mission in Chad, MINURCAT, was established under UN Security Council Resolution 1778 and its mandate is to help create the security...

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am glad the Deputy asked this question because it might be opportune to clarify the situation. The Irish contingent with UNFOR is performing an outstanding humanitarian role. I met Javier Solana on Tuesday at the meeting of EU Foreign Ministers. He has been to Chad and he came over to me to thank me and to pay warm tribute to the professionalism of Irish soldiers and the role they are...

Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: As I said, it is not only to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid but also to protect UN personnel. I await the return of the Minister for Defence who will have first-hand knowledge, having been to Chad, and who will be able to give us the most up-to-date position. The Deputy hypothesised about a potential deterioration of the situation and a heightening of tensions which could lead...

Nuclear Technology. (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 81 together. The Government strongly shares the widespread international concern about the nature of Iran's nuclear programme. We fully support the continuing efforts of the EU and its international partners to achieve a diplomatic solution. The International Atomic Energy Agency's latest report on Iran's nuclear programme was issued on 26 May, as...