Results 2,421-2,440 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Leaders' Questions (18 Oct 2006)

Dermot Ahern: It is the logic of Deputy Ó Caoláin's argument.

Northern Ireland Issues: Statements (18 Oct 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I thank the various Members for contributing to this debate and for the broad cross-party goodwill they have expressed towards the discussions that took place over the past few weeks and days. The Government thanks all those who have been concerned in the so-called "hothouse talks", including the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, and Mr. Blair who in very difficult circumstances spent a great deal of...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (19 Oct 2006)

Dermot Ahern: 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 third quarter of 2007 and will involve the relocation to Limerick of 124 posts. The situation is as follows: Already, 47...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (19 Oct 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I have set out in the following table the information requested by the Deputy regarding the number of requests received, the amount of application fees collected and the percentage of requests received from journalists. I should point out that payment of the normal application fee, currently €15, does not apply in a number of circumstances: no fee is payable in respect of requests for...

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

Dermot Ahern: I understand that the Deputy has in mind the Opinion on Ireland adopted by the Advisory Committee, established under the Council of Europe's Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, during its plenary session on 3-6 October. In line with our commitment to fulfilling our obligations under this multilateral instrument, Ireland has given its consent that the Opinion can be...

Written Answers — Manchester Martyrs: Manchester Martyrs (24 Oct 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I understand that there is a group in Manchester campaigning for the repatriation of the men's remains. However, it has not sought the assistance of my Department in this matter. The issue has not been the subject of discussions with the British Government.

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (24 Oct 2006)

Dermot Ahern: There are no special passport regulations for children over 16 years of age. The position in relation to passport facilities for all minors under the age of 18 years is as follows. Since 1 October 2004, all minors (i.e. under 18 years) must possess their own passport and may no longer be included on their parents' passports. However, minors already included on a parent's existing valid...

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

Dermot Ahern: The Government continues to be gravely concerned by the crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan and is using all avenues to work for a resolution of the major humanitarian and political challenges that exist there. We have taken action at the UN, within the EU and bilaterally to try to persuade the Government of Sudan to accept a UN force in Darfur. Through Irish Aid, the Government is also...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (24 Oct 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The target for the employment of people with disabilities in the Civil Service is 3%. Policy in relation to this target is the responsibility of the Department of Finance. The term "people with disabilities " is set out in the 1994 Code of Practice for the Employment of People with a Disability in the Civil Service as meaning people with a physical, sensory or psychological impairment which...

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

Dermot Ahern: From the 1st-2nd September I attended an informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers which took place in Lappeenranta, Finland. Such informal or 'Gymnich' meetings are held once every Presidency. The meeting was also attended by Ms Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU Commissioner for External Relations and Mr. Javier Solana, Secretary General and High Representative for the EU's Common Foreign and...

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

Dermot Ahern: The situation in Thailand remains calm, apart from unrest in the south of the country which predates the military coup which took place on 19 September. A new interim Government was appointed on 9 October. The interim Prime Minister, General Surayud Chulanont, announced last week that a ban on political gatherings of more than five people, introduced since the coup, will be lifted. He said...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (24 Oct 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy asks for details of legal costs relating to tribunals operating under the aegis of my Department since 1997. The Department of Foreign Affairs has not established any tribunals in that period. However, on 28 May 2002 the Irish and British Governments appointed Justice Cory to conduct an investigation of allegations of collusion in a number of cases, arising from a commitment made...

EU Enlargement. (25 Oct 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The preparedness of Bulgaria and Romania for membership of the European Union has been a major issue on the EU agenda since they signed their treaty of accession in April 2005. Considerable attention has been given to the Commission's efforts in monitoring the two countries' preparations for accession. The matter has been discussed by EU Foreign Ministers on a number of occasions. The most...

EU Enlargement. (25 Oct 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I do not accept that the other political parties were not involved in this process. I participated in a number of discussions at Oireachtas committees about the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union. The question of whether free access would be given to workers from those countries was discussed at those meetings. I made the point on many occasions, as I did in my earlier...

EU Enlargement. (25 Oct 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister, Mr. Blair — the two Governments — had agreed the announcements would be made on the same day. We had been in constant contact. It had nothing to do with following the British slavishly, off the top of our heads. This was a result of constant negotiations with the respective Departments and the respective Prime Ministers. The Taoiseach and...

EU Enlargement. (25 Oct 2006)

Dermot Ahern: We have been in discussion with other countries at EU level and I made the point that Ireland opens its borders. Our colleagues have been surprised at the numbers that have come to Ireland and they acknowledge that Ireland opened its borders for the previous accession. There is pressure on other countries but they must make their own decisions and cannot slavishly follow others. Similarly,...

Foreign Conflicts. (25 Oct 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Bringing to justice those responsible for serious human rights violations is an essential element in restoring peace to Darfur. In October 2004, an international commission of inquiry was established by the UN Secretary General. Part of its mandate was to determine whether acts of genocide had occurred there. The commission's report was published on 25 January 2005. While stopping short...

Foreign Conflicts. (25 Oct 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I welcome the Deputy's approach to this matter because the question of whether it is genocide is academic. It is an appalling crime. I was there in July and was the first Minister from any country to visit Darfur since the peace agreement the previous May. What I saw in the Abu Shok displacement camp in Al-Fashir, Darfur, was hell on earth. Some 50,000 people there were living entirely on...

Foreign Conflicts. (25 Oct 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I assure the Deputy that we will pursue this case. The Deputy also raised another issue.

Foreign Conflicts. (25 Oct 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Having visited Darfur just a few months ago, it is clear that circumstances have worsened and quite a number of people have been killed or displaced since then. The position is going from bad to worse and the international community must adopt a strong stance. However, it is not a simple issue of throwing in a UN-mandated force. I saw for myself when I visited Al Fashir, the headquarters...