Results 2,021-2,040 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: In the Government's contacts with the US authorities, on which I have reported to the House in considerable detail as recently as 22 February 2006, we have been concerned to ensure that no extraordinary rendition of prisoners has occurred or is occurring through Ireland. The Taoiseach raised the matter with President Bush in Washington DC on 17 March 2006. The assurances that we have received...

Written Answers — State Visits: State Visits (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 140 together. I travelled to the United States from 11 to 17 March to represent the Government at promotional events in Dallas before attending the customary St. Patrick's Day ceremonies in Washington. On 17 March, I accompanied the Taoiseach to the White House for the traditional presentation of shamrock, followed by a meeting with President Bush in...

Written Answers — Military Neutrality: Military Neutrality (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: As the Taoiseach, the Minister for Defence and I have stated on many occasions, the Government remains committed to the triple lock requirements of UN authorisation, Government decision and Dáil approval before the deployment of Irish troops abroad. Any participation in peace support operations, whether carried out directly by the UN or, for example, as part of an EU-led mission with UN...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland and our partners in the European Union take a close interest in the situation in Sri Lanka. The European Union, in a statement on 27 January, welcomed the agreement by the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to hold talks in Geneva on 22 and 23 February. It expressed its firm hope that the talks would help stabilise the situation in Sri Lanka and lead to a...

Written Answers — Nuclear Disarmament: Nuclear Disarmament (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I have not had recent discussions with either India or Pakistan but both countries are well aware of Ireland's long-held position that both should join the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as non-nuclear weapon states. As I made clear in my replies to Questions Nos. 64 and 153 of 22 February 2006, Ireland has a long-standing policy of support for the NPT, going back to Frank...

Written Answers — Nuclear Disarmament: Nuclear Disarmament (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 121, 127 and 128 together. I have not had any recent direct contact with representatives of the Iranian Government in respect of Iran's compliance with the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. The last occasion that I had an opportunity to discuss this matter with the Iranian Government was when I met the then Foreign Minister, Dr. Kamal Kharrazi, on 2 May 2005,...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: My Department has been closely monitoring the situation in Nepal. Regrettably, the political crisis there seems to be intensifying. While we have not had any recent direct bilateral contacts with the Nepalese Government, we have been active within the EU framework and have contributed to discussions in relevant working groups. On 27 January, the EU issued a declaration which called upon the...

Written Answers — Consular Assistance: Consular Assistance (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: As I outlined in my reply of 21 February 2006 to a parliamentary question on this general issue, consular assistance is provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs in a wide variety of circumstances, with each situation being assessed case by case having regard to all the factors involved. The Department, for instance, is prepared to advance funds to assist Irish citizens where this is...

Written Answers — Sudanese Famine: Sudanese Famine (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 130, 138 and 286 together. Since the comprehensive peace agreement was signed in Nairobi on 9 January 2005, there has been progress in stabilising the long-running conflict between the north and the south of Sudan. Following a delay due to the accidental death in July 2005 of southern leader and first Vice President, John Garang, a Government of national unity...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I have followed with concern the case of Mr. Abdul Rahman who was charged in Afghanistan with apostasy for converting from Islam to Christianity, a charge punishable by death under Sharia law. I was pleased to hear that Mr.Rahman was released from custody on 27 March and I welcome the news that he has been granted asylum in Italy. The EU had been monitoring the situation closely and EU heads...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 146 together. The accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union will mark the completion of the fifth enlargement process, which will increase the Union's membership to 27. The Union's objective is to welcome both countries as members on 1 January 2007. The EU could, however, postpone the accession of either or both countries for up to one...

Written Answers — Arms Trade: Arms Trade (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Government's position on the lifting of the embargo on arms sales to China is clear and has not changed. We support the lifting of the embargo but we do not wish to see an increase in the quantity or quality of arms exports to China. This position was set out by the Taoiseach during his visit to Beijing in January 2005 when he also explained the importance to Ireland and the EU of...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my recent statement to the Dáil on 8 March in support of the all-party motion on the Finucane case, which makes clear the Government's strong support for a full, independent public inquiry into the murder of Patrick Finucane. The situation with regard to an inquiry was considered in the course of meetings during the St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Washington. The...

Written Answers — Human Rights Abuses: Human Rights Abuses (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 145 together. The deterioration in the political and human rights situation in Ethiopia since the May 2005 general election is a matter of serious concern. Ireland, along with our EU partners, continues to emphasise to the Government of Ethiopia, most recently in a meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr. Meles Zenawi, on 17 January 2006, the need to...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I remain gravely concerned at the long-running conflict and related humanitarian crisis in northern Uganda, which has led to the deaths of many thousands of people and the displacement of over 1.5 million. It clearly merits increased international attention. Ireland, in collaboration with our EU partners, has been actively working to achieve this. The primary responsibility for improving...

Written Answers — International Sporting Events: International Sporting Events (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: There is no such arrangement with the Irish Cricket Union. In a general context, the Department of the Taoiseach has issued guidelines to assist people in ensuring that due respect is always accorded to the national flag. While observance of these guidelines is a matter for each individual, the national flag should at all times be treated with appropriate respect. The guidelines are available...

Written Answers — State Visits: State Visits (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: There has been a long-standing invitation to Prime Minister Zapatero to visit Ireland. The Taoiseach renewed this invitation at the recent European Council in Brussels, indicating that a visit by Prime Minister Zapatero would provide a valuable opportunity to discuss a range of issues of mutual concern. The Prime Minister responded warmly to the invitation and contact is continuing between...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Government deeply values the extensive range of services that the London Irish Centre in Camden has offered to the Irish community in London for more than 50 years. In recognition of the centre's vital role within the Irish community, I have been happy to approve significant funding to it from my Department's DÍON fund. The Deputy raises the matter of capital funding for the London Irish...

Written Answers — Equal Opportunities Employment: Equal Opportunities Employment (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The target for the employment of people with disabilities in the Civil Service is 3%. Policy on this target is the responsibility of the Department of Finance. The compilation of statistics in this sensitive area is dependent, to a large extent, on voluntary self-disclosure of a disability by staff. However, I am satisfied that the percentage of staff with a disability in the Department of...

Written Answers — Shot at Dawn Campaign: Shot at Dawn Campaign (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: We have always included Private James Wilson of the 4th Canadian Battalion in our efforts to seek pardons for those "shot at dawn". The Report into the Courts Martial and Execution of Twenty Six Irish Soldiers by the British Army During World War I which I laid before the Oireachtas last week was prepared primarily on the basis of a thorough evaluation of the courts-martial files made...