Results 2,281-2,300 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The United Nations has for some time been considering the question of a new international legal instrument aimed at the protection and promotion of the human rights of persons with disabilities. The process formally began on 19 December 2001 when the UN General Assembly established an Ad Hoc Committee (AHC) whose mandate it is to consider proposals for a comprehensive and integral...

Written Answers — United Nations Agencies: United Nations Agencies (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The UN Human Rights Council is at present holding its inaugural session in Geneva. The current session began on 19 June and will continue until the end of this week. The next session will take place in September. My colleague, Minister of State Noel Treacy T.D., addressed this new body on behalf of the Government on 20 June. He called for the new UN Human Rights Council to make itself fully...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 53 and 148 together. I would refer the Deputies to my statement in Dáil Éireann on 13 June 2006, in which I addressed in some detail the most recent Council of Europe report, that of Senator Dick Marty, the rapporteur appointed by the Committee on Legal Affairs of the Parliamentary Assembly. Despite the pervasive lack of hard evidence contained in...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 163 together. The famine of 1991 occurred in the same year as the overthrow of the government of Said Barre. For 15 years, civil war raged and Somalia was widely seen as a 'failed state'. However, in recent years, there have been some positive developments despite current difficulties. A National Reconciliation Conference, the fourteenth attempt to...

Written Answers — EU-US Summit: EU-US Summit (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 103 and 149 together. The EU-US Summit, which took place in Vienna on 21 June 2006, provided an opportunity for both sides to underline the strength of the EU-US relationship in terms of trade and investment but also increasingly as partners in handling difficult situations around the globe. The Summit included discussions on, inter alia, foreign policy,...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Agreement for the Application of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Peoples of Our America was signed between the Governments of Bolivia, Cuba and Venezuela following a meeting of their Presidents in Havana on 28-29 April 2006. The Ambassador of Cuba has forwarded a copy of the Agreement to me, which is the only correspondence I have received regarding it from the signatory countries. The...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 51 together. Agreement on the basis for US-India civil nuclear cooperation was reached on 2 March 2006 between President Bush and Prime Minister Singh during the former's visit to India. Under the agreement, India has agreed, inter alia, to identify and separate civilian and military nuclear facilities and programmes and to file a declaration regarding...

Written Answers — EU Constitution: EU Constitution (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 64, 79 and 118 together. The European Council on 15/16 June accepted that more time and further work are needed before firm decisions can be taken on the future of the EU Constitution, which has now been ratified by 15 Member States. The European Council expressed the hope that the ratification process will be completed. There is no specific deadline for...

Written Answers — Naval Service Vessels: Naval Service Vessels (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: In keeping with the friendly relations between Ireland and the United Kingdom, incoming and outgoing visits by our respective Naval Services are organised from time to time. Proposed visits are examined on a case-by-case basis before diplomatic clearance is granted. The visit of HMS Ocean to Dublin is non-operational, informal and 'goodwill' in nature. The ship will dock in Dublin Port from...

Written Answers — Debt and Development Coalition: Debt and Development Coalition (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: NEPAD, the New Partnership for Africa's Development, is an African-owned and led initiative which is intended to eradicate poverty and promote and achieve sustainable development in Africa in the 21st century. It is based on the recognition that the primary responsibility for Africa's future lies not in the hands of donors or multilateral institutions but in the actions of Africa's...

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 46, 62 and 102 together. I attended the European Council on 15/16th June in place of the Taoiseach. The Taoiseach reported to the Dáil on the outcome of the Council on Wednesday 21st June. The June European Council dealt with a wide range of issues, but its main focus was on the European Constitution. The Council had an extended discussion concerning the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 52 together. I would refer Deputies to my statement to Dáil Éireann of 13 June 2006, in which I addressed the question of aircraft inspection comprehensively. This statement sets out my clear and precise views at this time on all aspects of the extraordinary rendition issue. As was also pointed out in my statement, and as conveyed directly to the...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: There are a number of programmes within my Department which support educational initiatives. While some of the supported activity takes place within Ireland, most of the monies are expended on educational initiatives overseas, particularly in the developing countries. The Department's Reconciliation Fund, which supports organisations involved in promoting improved relations between the two...

Written Answers — Human Trafficking: Human Trafficking (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 66 together. As stated to the House, most recently on 24 May 2006, 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...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Under the Government's decentralisation programme, the Development Cooperation Directorate of the Department of Foreign Affairs, which is the Headquarters of Irish Aid and currently based in Dublin, will decentralise to Limerick. The Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the provision of office accommodation for the Directorate in Limerick. The OPW has identified a suitable location...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: When the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Blair met at Farmleigh on 26 January, they said that 2006 would be the decisive year for the peace process. On 6 April in Armagh, they set out the Governments' joint strategy for achieving a fully functioning Assembly and Executive this year, announcing that the Assembly would meet from 15 May and that Members would be given until 24 November, at the...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Section 5 of the Transfer of Execution of Sentences Act 2005 provides that the Minister for Foreign Affairs may, by order, designate for the purposes of that Act a country that has become party to, or has given effect in its laws to, the Additional Protocol to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons of 18 December 1997 or the Schengen Convention of 19 June 1990. As the Deputy will...

Written Answers — Nuclear Plants: Nuclear Plants (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The UK Government is in no doubt as to the Government's views in relation to the risks posed to Ireland by nuclear facilities on the west coast of Great Britain, including Sellafield and Wylfa. Our views in this regard have been expressed strongly and repeatedly. Together with my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government, I met with the Secretary of State for...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The 16th report of the Policing Oversight Commissioner issued earlier this month was an encouraging reminder of the progress that has been made in the reform of policing in Northern Ireland. Some 124 of the 175 Patten recommendations have been fully implemented. Most importantly, the primary institutions of policing — the Policing Board, the PSNI and the Police Ombudsman — are found to...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 67, 82 and 147 together. I have made it clear that I believe that the Guantánamo Bay camp should be closed as soon as possible. More generally, the Government has raised the issue of the detainees in Guantánamo Bay with the US Authorities on numerous occasions. This was done at the highest level when the Taoiseach, accompanied by myself, raised our concerns...