Results 2,341-2,360 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (5 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The following tables set out the grades, numbers and remuneration of the personnel in the private and constituency offices of the two Ministers of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs: Minister of State, Mr. Conor Lenihan, T.D. Private Office Grade/Position Number Remuneration Private Secretary 1 Executive Officer standard scale — PPC €29,152-€46,253 ...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (5 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The following tables set out the number of personnel in my private and constituency offices, their grades and remuneration: Private Office Grade/Position Number Remuneration Special Adviser (non-established) 1 Principal Officer standard scale €78,066-€96,560 Personal Secretary (non-established) 1 Executive Officer higher scale €27,692-€45,669 ...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (5 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Advertising undertaken by the Department typically includes advisory notices on public opening hours over holiday periods, changes in passport application procedures and fees, employment opportunities that arise in the Department from time to time, as well as public information notices relating to developments in the European Union or in regard to Ireland's official Development Aid Programme....

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (5 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I would refer the Deputy to the replies of Minister of State Treacy and myself to Questions Nos. 3, 93 and 114 of 29 June 2006, where we stated our belief that, on the basis of our discussions with the US authorities, this was an isolated incident which arose from an administrative error. It is not intended to request journey details from the US Government of all prisoners transported to the...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (5 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I would refer the Deputy to my reply to questions numbers 87 and 160 on 29 June regarding the current political and security situation in Afghanistan. The reply noted that, while significant progress has been achieved in Afghanistan in last four years, considerable challenges still remain. It stated also that in any country developing the democratic structures, institutions and administrative...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Department of Foreign Affairs has raised the murders in Loughin Island on 18 June 1994 with the British Government through the British Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat. With regard to the recent reports in question, an update from the PSNI on this and other aspects of the case has been requested, as well as details of steps being taken to keep the families informed of developments....

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 310 and 311 together. I have noted the contents of Resolution 1418 of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the report prepared for the Assembly by the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights. While the Resolution is not binding on the State concerned, we would expect that Russia would take due notice of the recommendations contained...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland currently has diplomatic relations with Cuba on a non-resident basis. The Irish Ambassador to Mexico is also accredited to Cuba. The opening of Irish Missions abroad is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis. Any expansion of our diplomatic network is considered and undertaken having regard to clear priorities. In this regard, there are no plans to change the status of our...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 318 together. The situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a matter of high priority for Ireland, the EU and the United Nations. Since the 2002 Sun City peace accords, major strides have been made in re-establishing a democratic and effective system of government in the DRC. The Transitional National Government and Parliament have...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Government is very concerned at the increasingly serious situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and especially at the prospect of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We, and our EU partners, are firmly convinced that this crisis must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. The Government has been active in the EU and at the UN in the promotion of a peaceful outcome. Over the...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The work of this Department is funded through two Votes: Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 29 (International Cooperation). With regard to Vote 28, total funding of €21,217,604 was disbursed to non-governmental agencies or organisations between 2004 and 2006. 2004 2005 2006 (to date) Vote 28 €8,102,567 €11,379,258 €1,735,778 In percentage...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: On 18 December 2002, the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Draft Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OP-CAT). Ireland, along with other EU partners, fully supported the draft Optional Protocol and worked for its adoption at the UN General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights....

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The question of appropriate accountability mechanisms for the activities of the police and security services is of particular importance. Specifically in the context of the decision of the British Government to transfer primacy for national security matters in Northern Ireland to MI5 from 2007, the Government shares concerns that have been raised, including those recently expressed by the...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my replies of 30 May, 14 June and 29 June 2006 to Questions on this matter. I remain concerned about this case, which has been raised with the Israeli authorities by our Embassy in Tel Aviv. The Embassy is continuing to monitor the situation closely, in co-operation with the Embassies of other EU Member States. The person concerned was arrested on 23 May 2005, and on 16...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Four bodies come under the aegis of this Department. Two of these, namely, the Advisory Board for Irish Aid and the Development Education Advisory Committee are funded under Vote 29 (International Cooperation) as part of the Irish Aid Programme. In 2006, their budget allocations are €1.2million and €25,000 respectively. The Díon Committee is an advisory committee to the Irish Government...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: No fees are paid to the chairpersons of the Advisory Board for Development Cooperation Ireland, the Development Education Advisory Committee or the Board of the Ireland — United States Commission for Educational Exchange (Fulbright Commission). In the case of the fourth body under the aegis of the Department, an official of the Embassy in London acts, without additional remuneration, as...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: During the period in question, two task forces were created to inform specific areas of the work of this Department. Both have since completed their work and reported back to the Department. In December 2002, the then Minister of State, Mr. Tom Kitt, set up a Task Force on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to provide advice regarding how best to integrate ICT across the Irish...

Written Answers — Illegal Emigrants: Illegal Emigrants (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 323 and 324 together. My Department is aware of two Irish nationals awaiting deportation from the United States. These people are currently being held by the US authorities and are being provided with consular assistance by the Consulates in New York and San Francisco. The US Department of Homeland Security advises that there were 446 Irish nationals deported...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Department of Foreign Affairs is not aware of any current application for an Irish visa being made by the applicant mentioned by the Deputy. Visa applications made in Zimbabwe are lodged by applicants with the Irish Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa and are normally referred to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform for decision. I am informed that no record has been found in...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The following table shows the total amounts spent on advertising under Votes 28 (Foreign Affairs) and 29 (International Cooperation) for 2003 to date: Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 (to end June) € € € € Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) 79,527 228,410 132,925 37,368 Vote 29 (International Cooperation) 104,417 44,547 123,531...