Results 14,721-14,740 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — EU Integration: EU Integration (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: It is true to say that the referendum results in France and the Netherlands have given rise to a degree of uncertainty about the future direction of the European Union. As always, there are those who are fundamentally opposed to the very principle of European integration. From my discussions with EU Ministerial colleagues, however, I have found no evidence of any loss of confidence in the...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Since the civil war ended in 2002, significant progress in the restoration of peace and security has been made in Sierra Leone. Overall, the situation is now stable with presidential and parliamentary elections planned for 2007. The Government of Sierra Leone still faces real challenges in addressing the root causes of the conflict, such as poverty, weak governance and corruption. The...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The EU welcomed the peaceful conduct of the last elections in Nigeria, held in 2003, and expressed confidence in the Nigerian Government's commitment to continue improving the quality of democracy and accountability in Nigeria. The next elections are due in 2007. During the first week of May 2006, the Nigerian National Assembly debated the recommendations of the Conference on Political...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Liberia has made remarkable progress since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of August 2003. The parliamentary and presidential elections held in October 2005 marked the return of democracy to the country after 14 years of civil war. However, like other countries in the Mano River region, Liberia's stability remains fragile and could be adversely affected by political developments in...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (23 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I am satisfied that Ireland complies fully with its obligations under the Geneva Conventions. Having considered the issues involved, and having — in accordance with standard practice- consulted with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Department of Foreign Affairs acceded to Israel's request for permission for two Boeing 707 aircraft operated by the Israeli Air Force to...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (23 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I understand that there has not been any adjudication under international law with regard to the Laminaria oil field referred to in the Deputy's question. Timor Leste, or East Timor as it was formerly known, and Australia make overlapping claims to parts of the continental shelf in the Timor Sea, an area understood to contain large reserves of oil and gas. Under the terms of a bilateral...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (23 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 308 and 313 together. I refer the Deputies to my reply to Questions on this issue on 17 May 2006. The Government has been consistently active in promoting a lasting and peaceful settlement of the Israeli — Palestinian conflict, based on the negotiation of a mutually acceptable two-State solution. I share the concerns which have been expressed about the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (23 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Government and its EU partners have growing concerns about the protection of human rights in Iran across a wide spectrum of issues, including use of the death penalty. There appears to be a significant increase in the use of the death penalty in Iran, including the case referred to by the Deputy. Our concerns also relate to the use of the death penalty in cases of under-age offenders,...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (23 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I have no plans to meet with the particular organisation referred to by the Deputy. The Government, and our EU partners, remain very seriously concerned about a wide range of human rights issues in Iran. These concerns are raised regularly with the Iranian authorities and have been highlighted publicly. On 19 April 2006, the EU issued a public declaration concerning the human rights situation...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (23 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy will be aware, C.J. Hambro was a distinguished Norwegian political leader in the earlier part of the last century. He was a strong supporter of Irish independence, and a particular admirer of Éamon de Valera. My Department is unaware of any approach to date to mark Mr Hambro's support for Irish independence, but I would of course be happy to consider any such request we receive.

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (18 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: On 5 October, 2004 the Government, on the nomination of the Taoiseach and in exercise of the power conferred on them by Section 1 of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1977, as amended by Section 2 of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1980 and Section 1 of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1995, assigned responsibility for European Affairs to Deputy...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (18 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland established diplomatic relations with Thailand in 1975 and our Ambassador to Malaysia is accredited there on a non-resident basis. Ireland is also represented by an Honorary Consul in Bangkok who provides consular assistance, when required, to Irish citizens in Thailand. The opening of further resident missions abroad, including in Thailand, is considered by the Government on an...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (18 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The opening of further resident missions abroad, including the reopening of an Embassy in Kenya, is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis. Following a recent Government decision, the approval of the Kenyan authorities has been sought for the accreditation of the resident Irish Ambassador in South Africa to also be Ambassador to Kenya on a non-resident basis. It might also be noted...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (17 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 187, 188, 191 and 193 to 195, inclusive, together. The Government has been consistently active in promoting a lasting and peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Together with our partners in the EU, we remain convinced that the only way forward is through negotiations between the parties, in line with the principles and steps set out in the...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (17 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The United Nations has the lead role in the search for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. The Government fully supports the UN Secretary General in this important work. In this context we welcome the appointment by the Secretary General of Mr Michael Moller of Denmark as UN Special Representative to Cyprus in January this year. Together with the Presidency and our EU partners...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (17 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The St. Patrick's Day period provided the Government with a very valuable opportunity to again make known our concerns about the welfare of the undocumented Irish in the United States and to reiterate our strong support for the approach to immigration reform favoured by Senators Kennedy and McCain. It was an opportunity that the Taoiseach and I availed of to the full in our meetings with...

Written Answers — Centenarian Bounty: Centenarian Bounty (16 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Government has widened the eligibility criteria of the Centenarian Bounty scheme such that all Irish citizens born in the island of Ireland who have reached 100 years of age, wherever they may reside, are now eligible to apply for the Bounty. My Department will take the lead in processing applications from people resident outside the State and officials are already in contact with the...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (16 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 254 and 260 together. At the outset, I would point out to the House that the two aircraft in question — both Boeing 707s — are not warplanes. On 28 April 2006, the Department of Foreign Affairs having, in accordance with standard practice, consulted with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, gave permission for two Boeing 707 aircraft...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (16 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I have noted with concern the contents of a document dated 14 August 1973, emanating from British Military Intelligence, extracts of which were recently printed in the Irish News. This document stated that the assessment at that time was that between 5% and 15% of the membership of the UDR were also simultaneously members of a number of loyalist paramilitary organisations. Following the...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (16 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: There have been five prison visits to the person concerned. There has also been direct personal contact with the Governor, the Deputy Governor and the Senior Charge Nurse, as well as written and telephone contact with the prison authorities, including on the medical concerns of the prisoner. The most recent contact with the prison authorities was on 10th April last. During the contact on 10...