Results 45,701-45,720 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I understand that the Deputy is referring to the legal regime governing the exploration and exploitation of Ireland's continental shelf. The regime governing the exploration and exploitation of the continental shelf in international law is set down by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Under that Convention a coastal state is entitled to a continental shelf 200...

Written Answers — Energy Prices: Energy Prices (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The June European Council will consider the issue of higher food and oil prices. Ireland and its EU partners recognise that this issue presents significant challenges to Ireland, the EU and the world economy. The global upward trend in oil prices moreover reinforces the imperative for Ireland to reduce its oil dependency and to use energy wisely and efficiently. While the above concerns all...

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

Micheál Martin: Along with our partners in the EU, Ireland's position on the Kosovo final status issue has been that a final settlement for Kosovo must provide for a multi-ethnic, secure and democratic Kosovo, consistent with EU values and standards and contributing to the stability of the region. The EU has consistently highlighted the protection of minorities and the right to return of refugees and...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 110, 115 and 123 together. I called on the Chinese Ambassador on 15 May to personally convey my condolences and those of the people of Ireland to those bereaved by the recent earthquake in Sichuan Province. My Department maintains regular contact with the Chinese Embassy in Dublin to convey the Government's ongoing concerns at the situation in Tibet and to...

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

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 121 together. The situation in Zimbabwe continues to be both shocking and deeply disturbing. With voting in the second round of the Presidential election due to take place on 27 June, the situation remains violent and unstable. At least 50 people have been killed since March, and targeted violence has resulted in thousands being displaced, rendering...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (18 Jun 2008)

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

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The meeting of the OECD Council at Ministerial level in Paris on 4 and 5 June was attended by the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Dr. Martin Mansergh. The Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr. John McGuinness, attended the session on the multilateral trading system. The theme of the meeting was Outreach, Reform and the Economics of...

Written Answers — Regulatory Impact Analysis: Regulatory Impact Analysis (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: My Department engages fully with the 'Regulatory Impact Analysis' (RIA) process which has been in place since 2005. The RIA process assesses the impact a body of legislation could have in changing existing regulatory obligations for business. Since the introduction in June 2005 of Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA), my Department has carried out two RIA screenings on: the British-Irish...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: The December 2007 European Council reaffirmed that the future of the Western Balkans lies within the European Union and the countries of the region (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia) continue to feature on the agenda of the General Affairs and External Relations Council. On 18 February last, EU Foreign...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 176 together. The President of the European Council, assisted by the President of the Commission and the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, will meet President Medvedev, together with Premier Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov at the next EU Russia Summit in Khanty-Mansiisk, Siberia on 26-27 June. This will be the first...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 165, 166 and 172 together. The reduction of poverty, hunger, conflict and human rights abuses in Africa is one of the most important tasks of the international community in the 21st century. Conflict has many causes and many manifestations, but poverty, inequality and exclusion have proved to be the most fertile breeding grounds for violence, ethnic hatred...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (18 Jun 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 174 together. The situation in Darfur remains of grave concern, and the suffering of its people continues unabated. The fracturing of the main rebel groups over the past year, and the apparent determination of the Government of Sudan to pursue a military solution, at a high price in suffering for ordinary people, makes the search for peace even more...

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.