Results 2,521-2,540 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Departmental Transport: Departmental Transport (7 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: My Department currently owns three vans which are used by service officers to perform routine deliveries in the Dublin area. Fuel for the vehicles is purchased from Shell branded filling stations using a "Topaz" fuel purchase card. These cards are not issued in the name of specific officers but are assigned to vehicles by reference to the registration number of the van. The Department is...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (7 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: My Department is aware of the case the Deputy has raised through reports in the media. I understand that Mr. Jia has now moved on from Hong Kong to Thailand, where he is seeking asylum from a third country. No such request has been made of Ireland. Through the bi-annual EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, the most recent round of which was held in Beijing on 19 October, the EU, expressing its...

Order of Business (9 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: We are on the Order of Business. Deputy Kenny should ask about legislation.

Order of Business (9 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: There is shock and awe when the Deputy is coming.

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (9 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The issue of collusion is a constant theme in our contacts with the British government. It is continuously raised with the British by both the Taoiseach and myself, and also at official level. Given our constant engagement with the British Government on this, the question of a single issue summit does not arise. The Taoiseach has already brought the findings of the Barron Inquiries — on...

Written Answers — Repatriation of Remains: Repatriation of Remains (14 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to a parliamentary question by him on this subject on 24th October 2006 in which I stated that representations have not been received from organisations campaigning for the repatriation of the remains. I also indicated that this matter has not been the subject of discussions with the British Government. The situation remains as conveyed in that reply.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (14 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Government is deeply concerned by the rising toll of death and destruction in Gaza. Last week, I unreservedly condemned the deaths of 18 civilians, including women and children, in the shelling by the Israeli Defence Forces of the town of Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza. The UN has reported that, since the beginning of the latest Israeli military operation in the area on 1 November, 82...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (14 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: EU Member States collectively express their strong concerns regarding the death penalty to the United States Government on a regular basis. However, given the number of death penalty cases in the United States, the EU restricts its interventions in respect of individual cases to those involving EU nationals, juveniles, mentally retarded detainees or violations of the detainee's rights under...

Written Answers — Trade Sanctions: Trade Sanctions (14 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland, in common with our partners in the European Union, is of the view that the US economic embargo on Cuba seriously hampers the economic development of Cuba and negatively affects its entire people. EU companies account for at least half of all Cuba's foreign trade, and the EU rejects unilateral measures against Cuba which are contrary to commonly accepted rules of international trade....

Written Answers — Passport Fees: Passport Fees (14 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: A passport is normally issued for ten years, and the fees to be charged are laid down by a Statutory Instrument. There is no provision in this Statutory Instrument to permit the Passport Office to waive the fee for persons aged less than 65 years. Apart from the legal dimension, the reality is that, if this attractive concessionary scheme is to work satisfactorily, there clearly has to be a...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (14 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The case in question is before a US Court at present and relates to the custody of the children of a marriage where the parents are divorced. As such, it would not be appropriate for the Department of Foreign Affairs to become involved, nor are funds available to the Department to fund the legal costs in question. However, the Department has been in contact with the family of one of the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (14 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I have received representations concerning the conditions under which certain prisoners are being held at Maghaberry prison, and theissue has been discussed with the British Authorities. I keep all such matters under careful review, and raise them as appropriate with the British Authorities, including through the framework of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference. I will continue to...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (14 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: There are currently no EU Directives awaiting transposition in my Department. My Department has a particular responsibility to ensure a coordinated national response across the range of EU issues. The Interdepartmental Committee on European Union Affairs, which is chaired by my colleague Mr. Noel Treacy T.D., Minister of State for European Affairs, works to ensure that the implementation of...

Written Answers — Employment Opportunities: Employment Opportunities (14 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Department of Foreign Affairs is strongly committed to positive action designed to enhance employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. The Public Appointments Service (PAS) is responsible for recruitment across the Civil Service, including the recruitment of people with disabilities. Persons with disabilities can participate in all competitions for which they are eligible,...

Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: It was planned on top of a beer mat.

Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputies' remarks are a disservice to the people.

Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Hear, hear.

Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: It is about political blame.

Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Money was not growing on trees.

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (15 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 198 together. The Government is deeply concerned by the situation in the Occupied Territories, and especially by the rising toll of death and destruction in Gaza. I have unreservedly condemned the deaths of 18 civilians, including women and children, in the shelling of Beit Hanoun by the Israeli Defence Forces on 8 November. I have called very clearly...