Results 2,081-2,100 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Leaders' Questions. (3 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: He welcomed him, and he was 62. I have the letter.

Leaders' Questions. (3 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy is welcome to write to an 18 year old, but this man was 62.

Leaders' Questions. (3 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I have the letter.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (3 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 267 and 269 together. The Government, in common with our partners in the European Union, believes that the US economic embargo on Cuba seriously hampers the economic development of Cuba and negatively affects its entire people. EU companies account for at least half of all Cuba's foreign trade, and the EU rejects unilateral measures against Cuba which are...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (3 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 268, 274 and 275 together. The case to which the Deputy refers relates to five Cuban citizens who were convicted in the US in 2001 on charges ranging from espionage to first degree murder. A panel of three judges from the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta overturned the 2001 convictions on 9th August 2005 and ordered a retrial based on new evidence. The...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (3 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The number of EU measures transposed into Irish law in 2005 was 226.

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (3 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland is not party to either the Antarctic Treaty, or the Protocol to this Treaty known as the Madrid Protocol on Environmental Protection. The Antarctic Treaty was signed on 1 December 1959 in Washington on behalf of twelve states — Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States and USSR. The signature of the Treaty...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (3 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 273 and 276 together. I am aware that Mr. Luis Posada Carriles has been in US custody since May 2005 and that the US is seeking a country to which it can deport him. Furthermore, any issue between Italy and the US concerning Mr. Posada Carriles would be a bilateral matter between these two countries. I do not believe it would be appropriate for me to become...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (3 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland established diplomatic relations with Croatia in January, 1995 and our Ambassador to Slovenia is accredited there on a non-resident basis. Ireland is also represented by an Honorary Consul in Zagreb. The opening of further resident missions abroad, including in Croatia, is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis.

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (3 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The fees to be charged for passports are laid down by a Statutory Instrument [Diplomatic and Consular Fees (Amendment) Regulations 2005]. A person must be aged 65 years or above to be eligible to apply for a free passport. There is no provision in this Statutory Instrument to permit the Passport Office to waive the fee for persons aged less than 65 years. Apart from the legal dimension, the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (3 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Government has followed this case through the Embassy in Tel Aviv and in cooperation with EU partners. I understand that the person concerned was arrested on 23 May 2005. On 16 June, the Israeli authorities ordered his administrative detention for six months. This order was renewed for a further six months on 14 November 2005, but reduced to four months on review in December. On 20 March...

Written Answers — Consular Services: Consular Services (3 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 280 and 281 together. Consular facilities are available to all Irish citizens who live or travel abroad and who seek such assistance from the Department of Foreign Affairs or any of our Missions abroad. In providing consular services, my Department is guided by a number of international instruments on human rights and consular relations. These prescribe the...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (3 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The position is that a civil rather than a religious certificate is required for passport application purposes. However, I understand that the Passport Office is prepared to examine, in a sympathetic manner, any individual case where this may lead to particular difficulties.

Written Answers — Criminal Prosecutions: Criminal Prosecutions (3 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Irish Embassy in Madrid has been aware of this individual's case for over two years. I understand that the individual concerned has been involved in various Spanish legal proceedings. The Embassy has informed the Department that the person concerned has received appropriate legal representation, and understands that he is being accorded the same rights and treatment as a Spanish citizen....

Written Answers — Environmental Assessments: Environmental Assessments (3 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: As none of the areas which require an environmental assessment under the European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004 fall under the remit of the Department of Foreign Affairs, none of the current plans or programmes of the Department require such assessments to be carried out.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (3 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: As the Department of Foreign Affairs provides desk top internet access to all staff at Headquarters, staff have access to any non-subscription Irish national daily newspaper that is available on-line. As the Deputy will be aware, the degree to which Irish daily newspapers are available on-line varies from publication to publication with some titles providing full text on-line while others are...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (3 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: As I explained to the House in reply to questions on 25 and 27 April 2006, I am fully aware of the difficulties facing the Bahá'í community in Iran. The statement made on 20 March by the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Asma Jahangir, is the latest in a series of reports which raise serious concerns about this matter. My Department maintains close contacts with the...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (3 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The most recent meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council, which I attended in Luxembourg on 10 April, reviewed the situation in the Middle East Peace Process in the light of the approval of a new Government by the Palestinian Legislative Council and the outcome of the general elections in Israel. It was agreed that the EU would review its assistance against the new...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (3 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: A number of European Union Member States, including Ireland, have given financial support to initiatives aimed at ensuring the effective and transparent implementation of the Justice and Peace Law, which provides an overall legal framework for demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration of illegal armed groups into Colombian society. In this regard, I announced in June 2005 a commitment to...

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

Dermot Ahern: The ongoing violence in the Darfur region of Sudan continues to be a matter of grave concern. Recent reports of an apparent offensive by the Government of Sudan and allied forces in the area around the town of Gereida in South Darfur are particularly alarming. It is clear that only an agreed political solution will lead to a lasting solution to the humanitarian crisis in the region. Ireland,...