Results 1-20 of 8,370 for speaker:Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Programme for Government: Motion (15 Mar 2011)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The people came out in huge numbers on 25 February last with hope in their hearts for change, for new political leadership and for a challenge to the injustice they have faced for so long now. Like all the TDs in the House today, I canvassed my constituency of Donegal North-East and I listened to what I can only describe as the stories of despair related to emigration again in Donegal. The...

Middle East Peace Process (22 Mar 2011)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Question 16: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of States have recently recognised Palestine as an independent state; his plans to do the same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5414/11]

Middle East Peace Process (22 Mar 2011)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I am mindful of the fact that when we enter Leinster House, the 1916 Proclamation is one of the first documents we see. A few short years after the 1916 Rising and the reading of the Proclamation outside the GPO, the Irish people, by way of their vote for Sinn Féin in the 1918 election, voted in favour of their independence. We had the First Dáil and declared our independence to the...

Middle East Peace Process (22 Mar 2011)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I will come to it very quickly, although the direction I wish to take is clear. At that time the world did not recognise our legitimate democratic right to freedom and there were dramatic consequences. In 1988 the Palestine Liberation Organization-----

Middle East Peace Process (22 Mar 2011)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: -----in an extremely honourable compromise was willing to accept 22% of the territory based on the lines drawn in 1967. However, that has never been accepted and because of the failure of the Government, the European Union and the international community to give the Palestinians the validation required-----

Middle East Peace Process (22 Mar 2011)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: -----there have been crises in Gaza and the continued repression and control of the Palestinian people. Will we take a stand through the Government and lead a charge in Europe to defend the rights of the Palestinian people or does the document at the front of this building amount to sheer hyprocrisy?

Middle East Peace Process (22 Mar 2011)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I will repeat what was a very simple question. The Tánaiste is new to his position and this is a fresh start. Traditonally his party gave support to the Palestinian people. I ask him, therefore, to take a stand, with Cyprus, in the European Union in recognising the rights of the Palestinian people. That would have a significant and dramatic impact. Ireland is respected internationally...

Middle East Peace Process (22 Mar 2011)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Will Ireland lead the charge in that respect in the European Union?

Middle East Peace Process (22 Mar 2011)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Will the Minister answer my question, which is a simple one?

Human Rights Issues (22 Mar 2011)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Question 19: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views regarding the treatment of a person (details supplied) who is being held by US authorities in conditions that Amnesty International has described as inhumane; if he will raise these concerns with the US authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5285/11]

Human Rights Issues (22 Mar 2011)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The Tánaiste referred to Amnesty International's concerns in this case. Is he aware that the detention of the individual in question appears to violate Article 10 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights dealing with the detention of prisoners and of the UN standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners? Is the Tánaiste further aware that Manfred Nowak, UN...

Human Rights Issues (22 Mar 2011)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I am sure the Tánaiste shares my concern for this individual who is being locked up for 23 hours a day in a 72 foot cell and who has been, at times, stripped naked. The Tánaiste may have read some of the recent news articles in Ireland on this issue which is causing a great deal of concern. The Programme for Government commits to ensuring rendition flights are not passing through...

Human Rights Issues (22 Mar 2011)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Will the Tánaiste have his Department carry out an investigation into what has happened to date?

International Agreements (22 Mar 2011)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I welcome the Tánaiste's comments. Will the Tánaiste give a sense of the timeframe within which we will have a positive outcome? As the Tánaiste has pointed out, some 35 countries have signed up to it, including nine of our European partners. This is a principal international treaty or protocol and it means we can have a moral high ground especially in terms of Third World countries,...

International Agreements (22 Mar 2011)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I note there is no commitment to it in the programme for Government. I accept the assurance of the Tánaiste and I take it as read. As in the case of his assurance in respect of the Palestine matter, will the Tánaiste lead up this issue and fast-track consultation with his fellow Ministers in Cabinet to try to get to the required point as soon as possible? As I have stated repeatedly...

Overseas Development Aid (22 Mar 2011)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I could give the Tánaiste a supplementary question.

European Council Meeting: Statements (22 Mar 2011)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I wish to share the final five minutes of my time with Deputy McDonald. Looking forward to this week's European Union summit, we hear the word "co-operation" bandied about. Co-operation is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as the action or process of working together to the same end. To intimidate means to frighten or overawe, especially to make another do what one wants. There is...

European Council Meeting: Statements (22 Mar 2011)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The Acting Chairman should give the Deputy an extra minute to make up for the interruptions.

Written Answers — Humanitarian Assistance: Humanitarian Assistance (22 Mar 2011)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Question 27: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the aid plans that have been put in place to offer assistance to the people of Japan following the earthquake and tsunami which have hit there. [5284/11]

Written Answers — UN Conventions: UN Conventions (22 Mar 2011)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Question 368: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to ratify the convention on the rights of persons with disabilities. [5416/11]