Results 2,601-2,620 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Foreign Elections: Foreign Elections (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 207 together. The Independent Electoral Commission of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) announced on 15 November that President Joseph Kabila had won the presidential election run-off contest held on 29 October, securing 58% of the votes against 42% for his opponent, Vice-President Jean-Pierre Bemba. The results are provisional until endorsed...

Written Answers — UN Conventions: UN Conventions (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Agreement on the draft UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was reached on Friday 25 August 2006 by the Ad-Hoc Committee, established by the UN General Assembly in December 2001 to carry out this task. The draft Convention outlines the general obligations of States in relation to the rights of persons with disabilities. It aims to ensure that persons with disabilities are...

Written Answers — Common Foreign and Security Policy: Common Foreign and Security Policy (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) is an integral part of the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), the principles and objectives of which are set out in the Maastricht, Amsterdam and Nice Treaties, approved by the people at successive referenda. The Union is continuing to develop its capabilities for crisis management operations, both military and civilian....

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 55, 107 and 108 together. Ireland will not open diplomatic relations with Burma until Aung San Suu Kyi is released from house arrest. The Government consistently takes a strong position on Burma on all possible occasions, including in the European Union framework and at the United Nations. Together with our EU partners, we avail of all opportunities to...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52, 74 and 86 together. I know that the Deputies will join with me in condemning in the strongest possible terms the assassination on 21 November of the Lebanese Minister of Industry, Pierre Gemayel. As I stated at the time, the killing is an appalling tragedy for Mr. Gemayel's family, to whom we convey our deepest sympathy. It also appears to be a further...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, was adopted and opened for signature by the General Assembly of the United Nations in May 2000. Ireland signed the Optional Protocol on 7 September 2000. The Optional Protocol entered into force on 18 January 2002, following its ratification by...

Written Answers — Nuclear Disarmament Initiative: Nuclear Disarmament Initiative (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The announcement by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 9 October that it had tested a nuclear explosive device was met with swift condemnation by members of the international community, including Ireland. I strongly condemned this provocative act by the DPRK as a threat to regional security and as running counter to the objectives of the nuclear disarmament and...

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

Dermot Ahern: Ireland, along with our EU partners, continues to urge the Cuban authorities to bring about rapid, lasting and substantial improvements in ensuring the full respect for all human rights. The European Union's 1996 Common Position is a central element in Ireland's relations with Cuba. The General Affairs and External Relations Council, in its most recent evaluation of the Common Position in...

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

Dermot Ahern: As set out in previous PQ replies, most recently on 24 May, I am aware of allegations regarding the harvesting of live organs from Falun Gong practitioners, including as set out in a recent Canadian report by Mr David Matas and Mr David Kilgour on behalf of the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of the Falun Gong in China (CIPFG). I view these allegations seriously and enquiries on this...

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

Dermot Ahern: As I advised the House in reply to a similar question on the 25th October, fifteen Member States have so far ratified the Constitutional Treaty. Luxembourg and Spain have done so by referendum while thirteen Member States have ratified by parliamentary means. Finland is expected to complete its ratification procedures in the coming months. As the House is aware, the Constitutional Treaty...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 59, 60, 92, 113 and 116 together. The St. Andrews Agreement published by the two Governments on 13 October underpins the Good Friday Agreement and sets out a clear way forward for all parties to commit to the full operation of stable power-sharing government in Northern Ireland and to full support for policing and the criminal justice institutions, including...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome on 25 March, 1957 is a milestone in the life of the Union. It is entirely appropriate that citizens throughout the Union should have the opportunity of celebrating the progress and prosperity achieved by Europe over the past half century. Germany, which will hold the Presidency in the first half of next year, is taking the initiative...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland and France share important interests on a range of EU and other issues and it is important that we maintain a close and co-operative dialogue with them. With this in mind, I met with my French colleague, Philippe Douste-Blazy, and the French Minister for Europe, Catherine Colonna in Paris on 30 October. We had a very useful and open discussion on a number of important international...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 83 together. As I have made clear on many occasions, the Government is completely opposed to the practice of so-called extraordinary rendition. Our position in this regard is regularly discussed with the US authorities. Most recently, I had the occasion to discuss the matter with the new US Ambassador, when we met at the beginning of this month. I am...

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

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputy. Although some of the details remain unclear, we have followed it in coordination with the Missions of our EU partners in Tripoli, and will continue to do so. The person concerned has been detained for over two years. The Libyan authorities have stated that he has been charged with certain offences but the exact details have not been made...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Under the Government's decentralisation programme, the Development Cooperation Directorate of the Department of Foreign Affairs, which is the Headquarters of Irish Aid and currently based in Dublin, will decentralise to Limerick. The Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the provision of office accommodation for the Directorate in Limerick. The OPW has identified a suitable location...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 211 and 212 together. Negotiations regarding Turkish accession to the European Union commenced on 3 October 2005. An extensive screening process is currently ongoing which closely scrutinises the compatibility of Turkish legislation with that of the EU. In all, there are 35 negotiating chapters in the accession process. After a Chapter has been screened,...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Presidency of the European Union, on behalf of all Member States, has issued a declaration congratulating Mr. Daniel Ortega Saavedra on his election as President of the Republic of Nicaragua. The preliminary report of the European Union Election Observation Mission found that the presidential elections had been adequately administered in a peaceful, competitive and transparent manner....

Written Answers — Cross-Border Projects: Cross-Border Projects (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 100 together. The Government's objective is the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the restoration of the institutions, including the North/South Ministerial Council. In the St Andrews Agreement we have set out a clear path to restoration by 26 March 2007. This will greatly enhance the excellent work being undertaken by the North/South...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81, 106 and 209 together. In any country, developing the democratic structures, institutions and administrative systems necessary to provide essential public services and to ensure a secure environment for all its people is a process that takes time. I believe that this is an important period for Afghanistan in consolidating the progress that has been made. It...