Results 45,821-45,840 of 51,089 for speaker:Micheál Martin

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (15 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 105, 108 and 109 together. There are no State boards or agencies operating under the responsibility of my Department. There are, however, four advisory committees and one educational commission which operate under its aegis. During the period in question, appointments were made in respect of only one of these bodies, namely the Emigrant Services Advisory...

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (15 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table in respect of attendance by Ministers at the Department of Foreign Affairs at the General Affairs and External Relations Council of the European Union, and of the number of decisions taken at these Councils. It is comparatively rare that decisions at the GAERC are subject to a vote. In the period under review, this...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (15 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers. The person concerned was detained in connection with the alleged promotion of a general strike in Egypt on 6 April. I understand that she was released without charge on 23 April, following an instruction by the Public Prosecutor of Egypt. The Government continues to monitor the human rights situation in Egypt through our Embassy in Cairo,...

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (15 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: Where my Department requires legal advice on matters other than those which are dealt with by the Department's own Legal Division, such advice is usually provided by the Chief State Solicitor's Office or the Office of Attorney General, who in turn may retain counsel if this is required. In particular circumstances, my Department may engage solicitors or barristers to assist on a particular...

Democratic Process in Zimbabwe: Motion (15 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: I move: That Dáil Éireann, concerned at the deadlock of the democratic process in Zimbabwe following the elections of 29 March 2008, the reported widespread violence and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in that country: calls on the African Union and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) to lead international pressure for a democratic and peaceful resolution to the current crisis;...

Order of Business (15 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: Have some respect for the Chair.

Order of Business (15 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am shocked at the absence of respect for the Chair.

Order of Business (15 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: Six.

Order of Business (15 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: I will be here. The Lisbon treaty has me at home.

Order of Business (15 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: Hear, hear.

Burma Tragedy: Motion (15 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: I move: That Dáil Éireann, seriously concerned by the impact of Cyclone Nargis which struck Burma/Myanmar on 2 and 3 May, causing enormous destruction, injuries and loss of life in Burma/Myanmar: expresses its deepest sympathy for the people of Burma/Myanmar; condemns the restrictions on humanitarian access which undermines the principles of humanitarian response, so essential to save lives...

Burma Tragedy: Motion (15 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: I thank Deputies Timmins, Breen and Higgins for their contributions. I also thank them for their agreement on the fundamentals regarding the Burmese situation and the devastating impact of the cyclone on the country and its people. The debate has been constructive and informative. I again pass on the condolences of the Government, the Oireachtas and our people to the people of...

Written Answers — International Travel Requirements: International Travel Requirements (14 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is the international body responsible for the specification of standards for international travel documents. ICAO policy requires that all passports in circulation in April 2010 be machine readable. Ireland commenced issuing machine readable passports in 1993. The ICAO has also defined the technical specifications for the issue of...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (13 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 270 together. The Government continues to attach the highest importance to resolving the plight of our undocumented citizens in the United States. The former Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern T.D., strongly emphasised this commitment during his address to the US Congress on 30 April. During the visit of the former Taoiseach to Washington, my predecessor, Mr...

Written Answers — Miami Five Case: Miami Five Case (13 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am aware of the reports of recent prison riots in Colorado, U.S.A. According to media reports, guards at a high-security penitentiary in Florence, Colorado, shot and killed two inmates at a federal prison on 20 April 2008 after up to 200 inmates battled with homemade weapons in a fight that appeared to be racially motivated. One of the group known as the Miami 5 is detained in this prison....

Written Answers — Humanitarian Assistance: Humanitarian Assistance (13 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am deeply concerned by the devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis in Burma/Myanmar on 2 and 3 May. The scale of destruction is almost unimaginable. Completely accurate figures are not available, but there are estimates that more than 100,000 people have perished, with tens of thousands more missing. One and a half million people are without adequate shelter and are facing shortages of basic...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (8 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: I am fully conscious of the enormous contribution that missionaries and volunteer development workers have made to Irish development work. This is reflected in the significant level of Irish Aid funding to civil society organisations and the large increases in funding to the Irish Missionary Resource Service (IMRS). This year, Irish Aid will provide funding of €20m in support of IMRS....

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (8 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: The Treaties of Rome, signed in March 1957, are the basis of the European Economic Community, now the European Community, and the European Atomic Energy Community, referred to as EURATOM. Ireland is party to these Treaties. EURATOM was created to establish the conditions for the peaceful, civil development of nuclear energy in Europe by sharing resources (funds, knowledge, materials, experts...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: Payment of invoices by this Department is governed by the provisions of the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act, 1997 as amended by the European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2002. The Act, which came into force in January 1998, provided for the payment of interest on invoices which are unpaid after 45 days from date of receipt. In August 2002, the point at...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (8 May 2008)

Micheál Martin: Relations between Turkey and Armenia are complicated by a number of outstanding issues. The major dispute between the two countries centres on the different interpretations of events during the First World War which resulted in the tragic deaths of very large numbers of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire. The Turkish Government has proposed the establishment of a commission, composed of...