Results 2,121-2,140 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

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 — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 148 together. Accession negotiations were opened with both Turkey and Croatia on 3 October 2005. An extensive screening process is currently underway, in which experts from the Commission explain EU rules to the two countries and examine their strategies for adopting and implementing them. It is expected to take until autumn 2006 to complete the...

Written Answers — Democratisation Process: Democratisation Process (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 162 together. The deterioration in the political and human rights situation in Ethiopia since the May 2005 general election remains a matter of serious concern. Ireland, along with our EU partners, continues to emphasise to the Government of Ethiopia the need to respect human rights and the rule of law; to strengthen the democratisation process by...

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

Dermot Ahern: India and Pakistan have made significant progress over the last few years to improve their relations and I welcome the progress that has been achieved. The ongoing talks within the Composite Dialogue Framework to move forward the peace process are significant, although clearly differences remain between the two sides. I hope that both countries will continue to work together towards a...

Written Answers — Nuclear Programmes: Nuclear Programmes (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 68, 74, 97, 122, 130 and 218 together. The question of Iran's nuclear programme is kept under constant review within the European Union at official level and is also the subject of regular discussions at Ministerial level, most recently at the General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting on 15 May. The meeting received a briefing from the Foreign...

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

Dermot Ahern: Human rights issues are a constant and important point of dialogue with the Chinese Authorities at both bilateral and European Union levels. On a bilateral level, I met with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on 12 May during my recent visit to Beijing. During our meeting, I had the opportunity to raise human rights issues and concerns, including the importance we attach to freedom of...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72, 128 and 138 together. The forthcoming accession of Bulgaria and Romania will mark the completion of the Union's 5th enlargement — increasing its membership from 15 to 27 Member States. This has been by far its biggest, most ambitious and most important enlargement to date. A further expansion of such magnitude is not on the horizon, although the EU does...

Written Answers — State Visits: State Visits (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and No. 157 together. The Prime Minister of Australia, the Right Honourable Mr. John Howard, began his official programme to Ireland on Monday, 22 May with a wreath laying ceremony at Kilmainham. He later met students from the Australian Studies Centre at University College Dublin and a civic reception was held for him at the Mansion House. A business lunch...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75, 79, 101, 110, 125, 131, 145, 155 and 217 together. I refer to the replies to Priority Questions Numbers 55 and 59. The Government has been consistently active in promoting a lasting and peaceful settlement of the Israeli — Palestinian conflict. Together with our EU partners, we remain convinced that the only way forward is through negotiations between...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 76, 112, 115 and 140 together. It is important to recognise that in any country, developing the democratic structures, institutions and administrative systems necessary to provide essential public services and ensure a secure environment for all is a process that takes time. Although Afghanistan still faces considerable challenges, the significant progress...

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

Dermot Ahern: The allegations of the misappropriation of funds which were intended for reconstruction and for the provision of basic services in Iraq are very disturbing. I agree fully that it would be disgraceful if funds for the relief of the Iraqi people have been misused. The allegations relate both to Iraqi funds controlled by the UN and to US funds. They refer primarily to the period of the Coalition...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82, 95 and 228 together. It is clear that only a political solution will provide a lasting resolution of the crisis in Darfur. In that regard, I welcomed the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement by the Government of Sudan and the Minni faction of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) on 5 May and expressed the hope that it would be signed by the remaining rebel...

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

Dermot Ahern: Despite the continuing violence in Iraq, there have been hopeful political developments in recent weeks. On 23 April, the Parliament provisionally agreed the nomination of Mr. Nouri al-Maliki, Deputy Leader of the Shi'a Dawa party, as Prime Minister designate of the new Iraqi Government. Following further negotiations on the filling of Cabinet positions in a Government of National Unity, the...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court entered into force on 1 July 2002 and to date has been ratified or acceded to by 100 states. An additional 43 states have signed the Statute, subject to ratification. The Government are committed to the effective functioning of the Court and support efforts to ensure the widest possible ratification and implementation of its Statute....

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: At present, the following Irish nominees hold positions in UN and other international institutions on foot of nominations for election made by me, or by my Department: Judge Maureen Harding Clark, elected in February 2003 to a nine year term as a Judge of the International Criminal Court; Judge Clark's Curriculum Vitae is at www.icc-cpi.int/chambers/judges/Clark Mr. Michael O'Flaherty,...

Written Answers — Undocumented Emigrants: Undocumented Emigrants (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 102, 114, 126, 132 and 224 together. The welfare of the undocumented Irish in the United States continues to be a matter of the highest priority for the Government. In all of my dealings with contacts on Capitol Hill and in the US Administration, including with Secretary of State Rice, I emphasise our strong support for measures that would enable the...