Results 2,141-2,160 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Human Trafficking: Human Trafficking (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Government is fully committed to the active promotion of full observance of universal human rights standards, and opposes, and seeks the elimination of, the practice of human trafficking. The importance of addressing trafficking in persons has been recognised by Ireland and our EU partners. Article 5 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights prohibits trafficking in human beings. In 2004...

Written Answers — Arms Trade: Arms Trade (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The promotion and support of international efforts to secure appropriate safeguards on the control of arms is a key priority of Irish foreign policy. There is a need to end destabilising accumulations of arms that can increase the potential for violence in areas of tension. There are too many examples of conflicts which are fuelled by the proliferation of conventional weapons. This is...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Government approved the establishment of non-resident diplomatic relations with Iraq in 1979 and Ireland subsequently opened an Embassy in Baghdad in 1986. In the crisis leading up to the 1991 Gulf War, the Embassy of Ireland was moved from Baghdad to Amman in Jordan, and subsequently closed in August 1992. The Iraqi Embassy in London, from where the Iraqi Ambassador was also accredited...

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

Dermot Ahern: Extensive literature concerning the situation of the Bahá'í community in Iran has been received over recent months, including the statement made on 20 March by the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Asma Jahangir. This statement is the latest in a series of reports which raise serious concerns about this matter. The Department of Foreign Affairs maintains close contacts...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: On 8 May last, I wholeheartedly condemned the appalling sectarian attack on Michael McIlveen which led to his death. My thoughts continue to be with his family and friends who have shown such courage and dignity in the face of this tragedy. This incident was a truly shocking reminder of the evil of sectarianism, and that sectarian hatred and violence still plague communities across Northern...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: As I outlined in my reply of 4 April 2006 to a parliamentary question on this issue, consular assistance is provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs in a wide variety of circumstances, with each situation being assessed on a case by case basis, having regard to all the factors involved. Since 1997, an advancement of the funds by the Department in a court bond context occurred in the case...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: On 6 April in Armagh, the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Blair set out the Governments' joint strategy to achieve restoration of the devolved institutions of the Good Friday Agreement this year. The joint strategy established a clear timetable, commencing with the recall of the Assembly on 15 May. Members have been given an initial period of six weeks to elect a First and Deputy First Minister...

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

Dermot Ahern: 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. I understand that there has not been any adjudication under international law with regard to the disputed oil fields. Under the terms of a bilateral Treaty on Certain Maritime Arrangements in...

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

Dermot Ahern: The Convention was opened for signature on 9 December 2003 and was signed by Ireland on that date. It entered into force on 14 December, 2005. In April of 2005 the European Commission advised that, as parts of the Convention are matters of exclusive Community competence, Member States could not ratify it until the Community had done so. The European Community signed the Convention on 15...

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

Dermot Ahern: I would refer the Deputy my reply to Questions Nos. 254 and 260 of 16 May 2006. At the outset, I would point out 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 — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I have not yet had an opportunity to meet with President Michelle Bachelet of Chile. Minister of State Tom Kitt attended her inauguration on 11 March 2006 in Valparaíso and had an opportunity to convey the best wishes of the Government to both President Bachelet and outgoing President Ricardo Lagos. In addition, the Taoiseach and Minister of State Noel Treacy attended the IV EU-Latin America...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The strong commitment of the Government to support our community abroad is reflected in the unprecedented level of funding secured for emigrant services. This year, €12 million is available for this purpose which represents an increase of 45% on 2005 and is twelve-times greater than the 1997 allocation. The needs of the Irish community in Britain are a particular priority for the...

Written Answers — Nuclear Disarmament Initiative: Nuclear Disarmament Initiative (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The only multilateral legally binding obligation in respect of nuclear disarmament is enshrined in the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which came into existence following an initiative taken by the late Frank Aiken. His pioneering efforts were duly recognised when Ireland was invited in 1968 to be the first country to sign the Treaty after it had been negotiated....

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 158 together. There are currently two Irish Embassies in South America — in Argentina and Brazil. Our Embassy in Argentina is also accredited to Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay on a non-resident basis. In addition, the Irish Embassy in Mexico is accredited to a number of countries in South and Central America on a non-resident basis —...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 109, 149 and 167 together. Under the Government's decentralisation programme, the Development Cooperation Directorate of the Department of Foreign Affairs, currently based in Dublin, will decentralise to Limerick. This is scheduled to take place during the first half of 2007 and will involve the relocation to Limerick of 124 posts. The Office of Public Works...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 154 together. Following last year's French and Dutch referendum results, EU leaders initiated a period of reflection in order to allow time for national debates about the future of Europe. Next month's European Council is due to review this process. EU Foreign Ministers have already begun the task of preparing this review and will meet informally in...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 113, 139 and 222 together. While the time is not yet right to complete the ratification of the EU Constitution, I can see no grounds at present for embarking on any renegotiation of what was agreed in 2004. There have been some proposals for selective implementation of the Constitution, but the widely held view is that the Constitution, which has already been...

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

Dermot Ahern: My most recent contact with the US administration on the matter of extraordinary rendition took place on St Patrick's Day, during the Taoiseach's meeting with President Bush in the White House. As Deputies will be aware, on that occasion the Taoiseach raised with President Bush Ireland's well-known concerns with respect to this practice. The Taoiseach also raised the possibility of improving...

Written Answers — Human Trafficking: Human Trafficking (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 141 together. I met with the newly appointed Foreign Minister of Poland on Monday, 22 May. The Foreign Ministers of Lithuania and Latvia have also been invited to visit Ireland, and it is hoped that dates for these visits will be agreed in the coming weeks. The invitations to the Ministers were issued in order to offer them the opportunity to meet with...

Written Answers — UN Human Rights Council: UN Human Rights Council (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 153 together. The elections to the new UN Human Rights Council took place on 9 May 2006. A total of 47 seats were contested, with each regional group being allocated a certain number. The General Assembly Resolution establishing the Council included a number of provisions aimed at addressing concerns relating to the human rights records of its members....