Results 241-260 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (1 Jun 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I do not have responsibility for the forestry function which was transferred to my colleague the Minister for Agriculture and Food on 1 January 2004.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (1 Jun 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I do not have responsibility for the forestry function which was transferred to my colleague the Minister for Agriculture and Food on 1 January 2004.

Written Answers — Fisheries Protection: Fisheries Protection (1 Jun 2004)

Dermot Ahern: The tagging system to which the Deputy refers is operated under the wild salmon and sea trout tagging scheme regulations which, inter alia, limit the total allowable commercial catch, TAC, of salmon each year for all fishery districts throughout the country. The allocation of the fishing quotas within each district, and the distribution of the tags to the commercial fishermen, are matters for...

Written Answers — Fuel Prices: Fuel Prices (1 Jun 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 229 together. The price of oil is set by the international oil market, with supply into that market being influenced by OPEC policies. The current high price reflects a complex interaction of unanticipated strong demand, tight capacities, geopolitical uncertainties and the influence of speculators on the markets. There is however no disruption to oil...

Written Answers — Harbours and Piers: Harbours and Piers (17 Jun 2004)

Dermot Ahern: The harbour at Ballycotton is owned by Cork County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development is a matter for the local authority in the first instance. In 2001 the council submitted a report prepared by consulting engineers on the estimated cost of the Ballycotton Harbour development plan. The proposed development is estimated to cost a total of €6 million. This...

Written Answers — Port Safety: Port Safety (17 Jun 2004)

Dermot Ahern: It is my considered opinion that the introduction of a unified pilotage authority in the Waterford estuary is the best solution to the recurring difficulties relating to the pilotage services provided in the pilotage districts of the Port of Waterford Company and New Ross Port Company. This solution was recommended in the 1997 report of the review group on pilotage in the Waterford estuary....

Seanad: Maritime Security Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

Dermot Ahern: Dáil Éireann made five amendments to the Bill as passed by the Seanad on 6 April 2004, which I commend to this House. Amendment No. 1 to section 3, puts beyond doubt the needed extra-territorial scope of the section as required by the 1988 convention and protocol. Doubts were raised by reference to the definitions of "ship" and "fixed platform" in section 1, as passed by Seanad Éireann....

Seanad: Maritime Security Bill 2004 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages. (8 Jul 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I thank Senators for facilitating the passing of this legislation. It was important to have done so in the last days of the Oireachtas session.

Decentralisation Programme. (5 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: So is Deputy Kenny.

Leaders' Questions. (5 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy was probably at the opening of them.

Written Answers — Departmental Websites: Departmental Websites (5 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: In common with the websites of other Government Departments, the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs — www.dfa.ie — contains material provided by a wide range of units within the Department. Each unit with material on the website is required to review that material on an ongoing basis to ensure that it is accurate and up to date. Updates and the addition of new material is...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (5 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: Successive Ministers for Foreign Affairs have maintained Ireland's strong engagement with the efforts to promote a peaceful resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict. I would propose to cover only the most recent work in this area, with particular emphasis on the outcome of the Irish Presidency of the European Union. The Irish Presidency continued European Union efforts to promote the...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (5 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: The United Nations has the lead role in the search for a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem. However, the EU enlargement process provided the impetus for the most recent efforts toward a settlement, which were undertaken by the UN Secretary General earlier this year. The Government gave its full support to the Secretary General in his mission of good offices. Before and during the...

Written Answers — Death of Irish Citizen: Death of Irish Citizen (12 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy will share the shock and sadness felt by the Government after the cruel and barbaric murder of Kenneth Bigley last week. I had hoped to respond to the Deputy's question in different circumstances and I am very disappointed that all our efforts and pleadings for mercy and humanity to be shown to Mr. Bigley went unanswered. I am sure that all Members of the House would join with the...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (12 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I share the concern which has been expressed about the continuing cycle of violence in the Middle East. I set out the Government's views in the debate on the adjournment which took place on 7 October. I unequivocally condemn the terrorist attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian groups which have taken place recently, including and in particular the killing of the young children, and demand...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (12 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland is a long-standing supporter of the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination. The Government played a prominent role in seeking a solution to the western Sahara dispute during its term on the Security Council. On 31 July 2003 the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1495 which, in addition to extending the mandate of the UN mission for the referendum in western Sahara,...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (12 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: The Government's development co-operation programme seeks in particular to address the priority needs of our partner countries. Water features prominently in many of our partners' poverty reduction strategies. It is the key to good health, agricultural and industrial productivity, food security and, ultimately, poverty reduction. On the other hand, lack of water is a threat facing a large...

Written Answers — Emigrant Services: Emigrant Services (12 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 126 together. The DION fund, through which the Government funds services to emigrants in Britain, has more than quadrupled in the past five years. This year Government funding for emigrant support stands overall at €5 million, representing an increase of some two thirds over 2003. Most of this funding goes to organisations in Britain, with 57...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (12 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: Since becoming Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have, together with the Taoiseach, met senior delegations from the DUP and Sinn Féin in Dublin on 30 September and 4 October respectively. In addition, I had a very useful meeting with the SDLP in Dundalk on 8 October. I will travel today to Hillsborough and Belfast for separate meetings with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Paul...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (12 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I share the Deputy's concern regarding the length of time taken to process deportations from the US. While from experience it is not possible to state precisely how long an individual process will take, with deportation times varying depending on the circumstances of each individual's case, the three most recent cases our missions in the US dealt with each took one to two months to complete....