Results 2,161-2,180 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Common Foreign and Security Policy: Common Foreign and Security Policy (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) is an integral part of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and serves the Union's general objectives of peace and stability. These objectives and the provisions governing ESDP are set out in the Treaties of Amsterdam and of Nice, which were approved by referendum. In this context, the European Union is increasing its ability to...

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

Dermot Ahern: I am very aware of the ongoing difficulties being experienced by the Kurdish community, including in relation to the escalation of violence in Southeast Turkey, particularly in recent weeks. This has led to frequent clashes between the security forces and armed groups and has resulted, tragically, in a substantial number of casualties, including mortalities. Very regrettably there have also...

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

Dermot Ahern: Ireland has a long-standing policy of support for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), going back to Frank Aiken's initiative almost fifty years ago, and attaches the utmost importance to its universalisation. India, Pakistan and Israel are the only three countries that have not acceded to the NPT. At the NPT Review Conference in New York last May, I stated that it...

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

Dermot Ahern: I have not personally had contacts with President Morales or with members of his Administration since his and the MAS party's successes in the presidential and legislative elections held in Bolivia in December 2005. Ireland's Ambassador to Argentina attended the inauguration of President Morales in La Paz on 22 January 2006 and conveyed to him the best wishes of the Government. In addition,...

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland was represented at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 15 May by my colleagues Mr Noel Treacy, T.D. Minister for European Affairs and Mr Willie O'Dea T.D., Minister for Defence. The Council had a preliminary discussion on the draft annotated agenda for the June European Council. This Council will focus on the Future of Europe. Ireland broadly welcomed the...

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

Dermot Ahern: The Government is satisfied that it is fully in compliance with its obligations under international law in regard to the issue of extraordinary renditions. In relation to the landing at Shannon airport of aircraft alleged to have been used for extraordinary rendition purposes, I would point out that these allegations are based on the retrospective imposition of a pattern of movement on flight...

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

Dermot Ahern: The decision by the US Government to impose sanctions banning sales of and licences for the export of their defence equipment and services to Venezuela is a bilateral issue between these two countries.

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

Dermot Ahern: As I have indicated to the House, most recently on 25 April 2006, the case for ratification of this Convention has been examined by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which has lead responsibility on the issue. As previously indicated, the rights of migrant workers and their families are already protected under existing national legislation...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The ambition of the EU to be able to respond quickly to emerging crises has, and continues to be, a key objective of the development of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). An important aspect of ESDP is the development of a standby military rapid response capacity, in the form of Battlegroups. Almost all EU Member States have already made a commitment to contribute to a specific...

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

Dermot Ahern: Ireland has a particularly close association with 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. Since then, support for the Treaty has been our...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Accompanied by an official delegation, I made a working visit to Japan on 9 and 10 May. The key objectives for the visit were to take forward the Ireland-Japan bilateral agenda, including on political, economic and regulatory issues and to promote business links between the two countries. The visit also afforded a valuable opportunity for an exchange of views on the range of current...

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

Dermot Ahern: Presidential and parliamentary elections are now scheduled to take place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on 30 July 2006. These will be the first multi-party elections in the DRC since it gained independence in 1960. A total of 33 candidates will contest the presidency, while some 260 political parties and over 9,300 candidates will compete for the 500 legislative seats in the...

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

Dermot Ahern: As the House will be aware, the Government are strongly opposed to nuclear power. We consider that the industry carries serious environmental, health and safety risks. Our position is informed by our experience of Sellafield, where there is a long history of low safety standards. The proposal for a new generation of nuclear power plants in the United Kingdom is being considered in the context...

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

Dermot Ahern: My position on the IRA is widely-known and consistent. The IRA campaign caused needless death, helped to perpetuate partition and severely damaged the economies of northern and border counties of our island. It was conducted against the will of the Irish people. In the interview to which the Deputy refers, I made clear that the available security advice indicated that the IRA was no longer a...

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

Dermot Ahern: I welcome the findings of the Independent Monitoring Commission in its 10th Report that there has been a continuing downward trend in the level of paramilitary violence, as well as its positive overall assessment in relation to the Provisional IRA. Particularly welcome is the confirmation that there has been a complete absence of terrorist or violent activity on the part of the IRA in this...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy may be aware, on 16 May the UN Security Council adopted resolution 1679, which paves the way for a UN force in Darfur and for the transition of the present UN-authorised African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) to UN command. Three Irish military officers are currently serving with the EU support team to AMIS. The UN Secretary-General has stated that he intends to dispatch, as...

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

Dermot Ahern: The Government has consistently supported the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination. Ireland played a prominent role in seeking a solution to the Western Sahara issue during its term on the UN Security Council, and remains closely engaged with the issue. There has been no change in the position of the Government as regards recognition. Successive Governments have taken the view...

Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The RAPID (Revitalising Areas through Planning, Investment and Development) programme is a focused initiative by Government to front-load National Development Plan funding and improve the delivery of services in the most disadvantaged areas in the country. As no proposals from the areas in question have fallen within the remit of the Department of Foreign Affairs, there have been no funding...

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

Dermot Ahern: The Department of Foreign Affairs provides travel advice to Irish citizens. This reflects a considered assessment of the risks involved for our citizens travelling to individual countries. The current advice is at www.foreignaffairs.gov.ie/ services/traveladvice. As stated there, Irish citizens are advised against all non-essential travel to Kabul, and against all travel to other parts of...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (24 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Department does not have any record of a request to the Minister for Foreign Affairs regarding Afghanistan under section 11 of the Refugee Act 1996, as amended.