Results 2,101-2,120 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

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

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of, and share the Deputy's concern at, the disturbing reports of violence in Southeast Turkey, particularly in recent weeks. The security situation in the Southeast, which had gradually improved since 1999, has become increasingly difficult in recent months since the resumption of violence by the PKK, an organisation which appears on the EU list of terrorist organisations. This has...

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (9 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the application for Irish citizenship, through entry in the Foreign Births Register, by the person to whom he has referred has been approved. The certificate confirming the applicant's Irish citizenship will be issued by our Consulate-General in Chicago very shortly.

Written Answers — US Foreign Policy: US Foreign Policy (9 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I have no information with regard to this allegation.

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (9 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 235 and 236 together. On 6 April in Armagh, the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Blair set out the Government's joint strategy for achieving a fully functioning Assembly and Executive in 2006. The strategy is founded on a shared conviction that devolved partnership government, as enshrined in the Good Friday Agreement, provides the best opportunity to create a...

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...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (16 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of the disturbing reports of violence in Southeast Turkey, particularly in recent weeks. The security situation in the Southeast, which had gradually improved since 1999, has become increasingly difficult in recent months since the resumption of violence by the PKK, an organisation which appears on the EU list of terrorist organisations. This has led to frequent clashes between the...

Written Answers — Official Hospitality: Official Hospitality (16 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Department of Foreign Affairs maintains a stock of wine for use in relation to State and Official hospitality. There is significant saving to the tax payer in this direct purchase approach, as against sourcing wines for individual events through a caterer and being subject to a mark-up in the price. The range of wines in stock also facilitates choices being made that are suitable for...

Written Answers — Passport Statistics: Passport Statistics (16 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: It is not possible to be precise about the number of Irish passports in circulation at any one time. However, as passports normally have a ten year validity, a relevant statistic is that between 1996 and 2005 over 4,650,000 passports were issued. But as passports (a) for children under three have only a 3 year validity and (b) between the ages of three and seventeen have a 5 year validity,...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (16 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: My Department, which has an overall co-ordinating role in relation to EU matters, does not as a rule implement legislation designed to transpose EU measures into Irish law. The Department is not currently dealing with any such legislation. The Government is strongly committed to meeting the deadlines for transposition. The Interdepartmental Coordinating Committee on European Union Affairs...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (16 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The following table sets out the names and the roles of staff currently employed by me. These officers are employed on a full-time basis under terms and conditions of employment set by the Minister for Finance. The appointments will terminate no later than the date on which I cease to hold this office. Personal appointees employed on contract by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Name...

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 — 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 — 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...