Results 45,661-45,680 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

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...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (24 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The humanitarian situation across Somalia remains grave, particularly in and around Mogadishu and I remain deeply concerned for the safety and well-being of Somalis and the aid community seeking to assist them. In what was already a precarious environment for humanitarian agencies, security and access have deteriorated even further in 2008. Security issues for those seeking to deliver relief...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (24 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: As the Deputy may be aware, my Department strongly advises Irish citizens to avoid all travel to Iraq given the extremely unstable political and security situation in the country. Those in Iraq are urged to leave. This advice is provided on our website, www.dfa.ie, and is updated on a regular basis. Despite this clear advice, I understand the person referred to by the Deputy travelled to...

Written Answers — Consular Services: Consular Services (24 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: My Department, through our Consulates in New York and Chicago, have provided extensive consular assistance to the person referred to by the Deputy. The person concerned travelled to the United States in October 2007 on a six-month working visa. In April of this year, he served a fifteen day prison sentence in Florida for driving related offences. My Department made clear to the person that...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (24 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The humanitarian situation across Somalia remains grave and I remain deeply concerned for the safety and well-being of Somalis and the aid community seeking to assist them. In what was already a precarious environment for humanitarian agencies, security and access have deteriorated even further in 2008. Obstacles to those seeking to deliver relief in Somalia include random violence, piracy,...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (24 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 225 to 229, inclusive, together. The Government has been very seriously concerned about the humanitarian and security situation in Gaza and the West Bank. We have consistently called for an end to the isolation of the people of Gaza, the re-opening of crossing points for people and goods and the lifting of restrictions on the movement of Palestinians in the...

Order of Business (24 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: We do not want over-regulation.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (19 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The situation in the ethnic Somali Ogaden region of Ethiopia has deteriorated sharply in the last six months. The conflict between the Government and the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) is causing serious hardship for the mainly pastoralist and nomadic people of the region, whose livelihoods have been disrupted. Some NGOs have complained of serious restrictions on humanitarian access...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The promotion and protection of human rights and the rule of law has always been a priority of successive Governments and is an important aspect of our foreign policy. Support for institutions and organisations that promote governance, democracy and human rights is an important element of Ireland's official development assistance programme. Together with our EU partners, the Government...