Results 2,561-2,580 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Military Neutrality. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: No, we did not. In 2003, the Dáil voted in favour of participating in the granting of access to Shannon Airport. Under the resolutions, which have been passed unanimously——

Military Neutrality. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Deputy Allen may intervene but I am not sure where the Labour Party, Green Party and Fine Gael stand on this matter. Fine Gael said quite clearly that troops should continue to use Shannon Airport. Deputy Rabbitte of the Labour Party said at a recent conference that he did not envisage troops not using the airport, although this was contrary to a remark made by Deputy Broughan.

Military Neutrality. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: We know where the Green Party stands but the reality is that all three parties are on different wavelengths.

Military Neutrality. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: It is easy to believe that sitting where they are sitting. If they are ever on this side of the House——

Military Neutrality. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Will they? If so, it will be very interesting to see what they will do about Shannon Airport.

Military Neutrality. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Government is adhering to a UN mandate, which has been extended unanimously until the end of this year and which the Iraqi Government has asked to be renewed. Is Deputy Gormley suggesting that the international forces, including US troops, be removed from Iraq, thus making circumstances in that country worse than they are today?

Military Neutrality. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: It is a long-standing agreement.

Military Neutrality. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Shannon has been used for 50 years during many world conflicts.

Military Neutrality. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy should check his history.

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Government is deeply concerned by the situation in the occupied territories, and especially by the toll of death and destruction in Gaza. We have conveyed our position clearly and consistently in direct contacts with the relevant parties, including the Israeli Government. We have been to the fore in the formulation of EU policy positions on the issues involved and have played a...

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: We should not give up hope. While I accept that some of the utterances by Hamas on the two-state solution have been unhelpful, it must be acknowledged that it is the international community, and not just the European Union, that advocates such a solution. The involvement of the Union has been upscaled recently and it is interesting to note that, over the past year, it has increased its aid...

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: My views in that regard have been put on record on a number of occasions. The Deputy will be aware that we called in the Israeli ambassador to state very clearly our grave concern at what happened during the recent conflict in Lebanon.

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: There is of course constant contact with the Israeli Embassy in Dublin regarding all those issues, as there is with the Palestinian representative.

Northern Ireland Issues. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The St. Andrews Agreement underpins the Good Friday Agreement, setting out a clear way forward for all parties to commit themselves to the full operation of stable power-sharing government in Northern Ireland and to full support for the policing board. It sets out the practical changes proposed to the operation of the institutions. It also sets out specific commitments in areas such as...

Northern Ireland Issues. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: There is greater need than ever for leadership on both sides regarding this issue, and we hope that we will see that tomorrow and in the coming weeks. If we fall at any hurdle, we will move to the situation indicated, namely, plan B. However, that is not the preferred option of either Government. We want devolved government to be restored to Northern Ireland. Leadership is required on the...

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: He is busy working in his constituency.

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Minister had some say in it.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 99 together. I met the Secretary General of Amnesty International, Ms. Irene Khan, in London on Wednesday 8 November. The meeting was a useful opportunity to exchange views and discuss common ground with one of the leading global human rights organisations. Our discussions centred on the situation in Darfur and the role of the new United Nations Human...

Written Answers — Japanese Constitution: Japanese Constitution (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I understand that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has indicated that he intends to begin a debate on the possible revision of the Japanese constitution. In his Policy Speech to the 165th Session of the Diet, Prime Minister Abe noted that the current Constitution was formulated nearly 60 years ago when Japan was under military occupation, and that discussions were ongoing within and among...

Written Answers — Departmental Estimates: Departmental Estimates (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The 2007 Estimates for my Department include a total provision of €208.8 million for Vote 28 and €728.7 million for Vote 29 dealing with development assistance. The Vote 29 Estimate represents a further substantial increase in our assistance to developing countries, from just over €600m this year to €728m in 2007. In addition, the Estimates provide €85 million for development aid...