Results 2,181-2,200 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

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

Dermot Ahern: It is true to say that the referendum results in France and the Netherlands have given rise to a degree of uncertainty about the future direction of the European Union. As always, there are those who are fundamentally opposed to the very principle of European integration. From my discussions with EU Ministerial colleagues, however, I have found no evidence of any loss of confidence in the...

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

Dermot Ahern: Since the civil war ended in 2002, significant progress in the restoration of peace and security has been made in Sierra Leone. Overall, the situation is now stable with presidential and parliamentary elections planned for 2007. The Government of Sierra Leone still faces real challenges in addressing the root causes of the conflict, such as poverty, weak governance and corruption. The...

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

Dermot Ahern: The EU welcomed the peaceful conduct of the last elections in Nigeria, held in 2003, and expressed confidence in the Nigerian Government's commitment to continue improving the quality of democracy and accountability in Nigeria. The next elections are due in 2007. During the first week of May 2006, the Nigerian National Assembly debated the recommendations of the Conference on Political...

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

Dermot Ahern: Liberia has made remarkable progress since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of August 2003. The parliamentary and presidential elections held in October 2005 marked the return of democracy to the country after 14 years of civil war. However, like other countries in the Mano River region, Liberia's stability remains fragile and could be adversely affected by political developments in...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (25 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: As indicated in my letter of 22 May to the Deputy, applications for visas in this case should be submitted to the Visa Office of the Embassy in London, 106 Brompton Road, SW3, telephone +44 207 225 7700, with the appropriate documentation. As I also conveyed in my letter, such applications would normally be referred to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform for decision.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (25 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 to 159, inclusive, together. Under the Government's decentralisation programme, the Development Cooperation Directorate of the Department of Foreign Affairs, which is Irish Aid's Headquarters and 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...

Leaders' Questions. (30 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy should let the Taoiseach answer.

Leaders' Questions. (30 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy should keep quiet.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (30 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 362, 363, 367 and 374 together. I refer the Deputies to my reply of 3 May 2006 to a Question on this matter. The Government has followed this case through the Embassy in Tel Aviv and in cooperation with EU partners. The person concerned was arrested on 23 May 2005, and on 16 June 2005 the Israeli authorities ordered his administrative detention for six months....

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (30 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The ongoing problems with sectarian crime in the North Antrim area are a cause of very serious concern. The most recent manifestation of this was the murder of Michael McIlveen. This incident was a shocking reminder that sectarian hatred and violence still plague communities across Northern Ireland. Following this tragic death, we raised specific concerns about the security situation in the...

Written Answers — Consular Services: Consular Services (30 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The person in question was charged in July 2000. I am aware that, since his trial, he has claimed that he was pressured by his legal team on the day of his trial to change his earlier plea of 'innocent' to one of 'guilty' and that he was informed that if he did not do so he would receive thirty years without parole. He further claims that forensic evidence exists which, if examined, would...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (30 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I had a very good meeting with Prime Minister Howard in Dublin on 22 May during his visit to Ireland. We discussed a wide range of foreign policy issues, including the situation in Iraq. We agreed that the confirmation of the new national unity Government in Iraq on 21 May was a very positive and significant step. We also discussed the prospects for progress in meeting the very serious...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (30 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: There are four bodies under the aegis of my Department, namely the Advisory Board of Irish Aid (ABIA), the Development Education Advisory Committee (DEAC), the Ireland — United States Commission for Educational Exchange (the Fulbright Commission) and the Díon Committee. The Advisory Board for Irish Aid is an independent body which works closely with the Government's Official Development...

Written Answers — Refugee Policy: Refugee Policy (30 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The term Programme Refugees is the expression that prior to 1996 was commonly given to refugees admitted into Ireland by Government Decision. These Government Decisions each set out the rights and entitlements of those admitted into Ireland. The expression was then used in the Refugee Act of 1996, section 24 of which gives a statutory basis to the rights and entitlements of refugees admitted...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (30 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Since Slovenia declared its independence from the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1991, Ireland has enjoyed excellent relations with Slovenia both bilaterally and, since May 2004, as fellow Member States of the European Union. In recent years, we have been making a special effort to deepen our relations with the new Member States, including Slovenia, and this will continue...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (30 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 371 to 373, inclusive, together. I refer the Deputy to my replies to Questions on this matter on 17 and 24 May 2006. The Government shares the concerns about the increasingly difficult situation facing the Palestinian people. We have been consistently active within the EU and the UN in promoting a lasting, peaceful and just settlement of the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (30 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland takes a consistently strong position on Burma in relevant contacts, in particular in the European Union framework and at the United Nations. Together with our EU partners, we avail of all opportunities to condemn the abuse of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Burma and deplore the lack of progress towards democracy. I am pleased that the UN Security Council (SECCO) is expected...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (1 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland holds the view that those detained in Guantánamo must be treated in accordance with the requirements of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. This position is shared by our EU partners, and the issue was most recently discussed at last weekend's meeting of Foreign Ministers. It was agreed that human rights and humanitarian standards have to be maintained...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (1 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Government has discussed the issue of sectarianism with the DUP on a number of occasions in recent months. On 18 November 2005, a meeting was held between the Government and a DUP delegation at Government Buildings. The context at that time included the attacks that had taken place in North Antrim and elsewhere during the summer of 2005 and the violence that had occurred during the...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (7 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: At this decisive period in the peace process, as we focus on the challenge of getting a fully functioning Assembly and Executive up and running, it is important to underline the valuable work being done on the ground by countless dedicated individuals from the community and voluntary sectors to foster good community relations and build peace and reconciliation. Without reconciliation, there...