Results 2,621-2,640 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

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

Dermot Ahern: Human rights issues are a constant and important point of dialogue with the Chinese authorities at both bilateral and European Union levels. At EU level, the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue is the agreed formal framework through which the EU raises its concerns with China about individual human rights cases, and more general issues such as freedom of expression and the abolition of the death...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I welcome the Deputy's suggestion to open Embassies of architectural merit to Irish citizens abroad. Irish Embassies have indeed a long and proud tradition of openness and accessibility to the Diaspora and to visiting Irish citizens. In response to the Deputy's suggestion, I have asked our Embassies to consider favourably any request from Irish citizens to see Embassy buildings of...

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

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy will recall that in May 2005 several hundred people died during demonstrations in the town of Andijan in Uzbekistan. As a result of the Uzbek authorities' refusal to allow an independent international enquiry into the events there, and in light of the excessive and indiscriminate use of force by the Uzbek security forces during those events, the EU imposed a series of measures on...

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

Dermot Ahern: The four United Nations Law of the Sea Conventions of 1958 to which the Deputy refers are: the Convention on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone; the Convention on the High Seas; the Convention on Fishing and Conservation of the Living Resources of the High Seas; and the Convention on the Continental Shelf. These Conventions were superseded by the United Nations Convention on the Law...

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

Dermot Ahern: The Good Friday Agreement recognised the right of people born in Northern Ireland to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish, British or both, as they may choose. Any attempt to deny this right should be strongly rejected, as running contrary to the Agreement and the basic concept of parity of esteem it sets out. I am aware of reports that concerns have been expressed to FIFA about the...

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The November General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting included a Joint Session of Foreign and Defence Ministers. Ireland was represented by my colleagues, Noel Treacy, T.D., Minister for European Affairs and Tom Kitt, T.D. Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of Defence. The Vice President of the European Commission, Commissioner Margot...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Taoiseach recently sent a letter of congratulations to President Lula da Silva on the occasion of his re-election as President of the Federative Republic of Brazil. The Taoiseach wished President Lula well in his second term in office and expressed his wish to develop further the warm and close relations between Ireland and Brazil. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations,...

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

Dermot Ahern: Accession negotiations were opened with Croatia on 3 October 2005. The screening process, which scrutinises the compatibility of Croatian legislation with EU legislation, has continued during the Finnish Presidency but progress has been quite slow in comparison with previous enlargement rounds. After each chapter has been screened, the EU can decide, on the basis of a proposal from the...

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

Dermot Ahern: The St. Andrews Agreement set out a clear timetable for the restoration of the political institutions in Northern Ireland. It also made clear that, as part of that process, all parties would fully support policing and the rule of law, while also recognising the right of every political party to hold the police to account. In this regard, the St Andrews Agreement outlined the essential...

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

Dermot Ahern: The White Paper on Irish Aid recognises that the enormous expansion in the size of the aid programme will place heavy demands on those administering it. The Government has committed to undertaking a major review of the management of the Irish Aid programme. The review will embrace the financial and administrative systems, approval, monitoring, audit and evaluation mechanisms, management...

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

Dermot Ahern: I met with my Estonian colleague Urmas Paet in Dublin on 31 October. We had a very useful and open discussion on a number of important international and EU topics. The subjects covered in the course of our discussion included Irish-Estonian bilateral relations, the European Constitutional Treaty, European Neighbourhood Policy, EU Enlargement, EU-Russia relations, Common Agricultural Policy...

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

Dermot Ahern: Russia is a key strategic partner of the European Union, one with which we have a wide-ranging relationship. The EU-Russia relationship is currently governed by a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement which expires in December 2007. There are ambitious plans for a new EU-Russia agreement, which is intended to provide a comprehensive framework for future relations. Regular meetings currently...

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

Dermot Ahern: Human rights are, and have always been, a priority of successive Governments and central to our foreign policy. Together with our EU partners, the Government monitors the human rights situations in many countries, on the basis of information obtained from a variety of sources including both official and non-governmental organisations. Where the situation warrants, we make known our concerns...

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

Dermot Ahern: I am advised that there are at present 128 EU Directives awaiting transposition into Irish Law. As of 31 October, 22 Directives were overdue for transposition. The Government is strongly committed to meeting the deadlines for transposition. The Interdepartmental Committee on European Union Affairs, which is chaired by my colleague Mr. Noel Treacy T.D., Minister of State for European Affairs,...

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

Dermot Ahern: Considerable progress has made in spreading and deepening democracy in Africa in recent years. Most African countries have evolved from authoritarian to more democratic systems with elections now becoming the only acceptable basis for choosing and changing leadership; many States are working to ensure that the executive and legislative arms of government reflect the diversity of their...

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

Dermot Ahern: The overall political, economic and humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate. Inflation in Zimbabwe is now estimated to be 1200%, the highest in the world, while unemployment is estimated to be around 80%. There continue to be severe food shortages in the country, with over one million people currently requiring sustained food assistance. The dire political and economic...

Leaders' Questions (28 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Deputy Kenny is stooping very low.

Leaders' Questions (28 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Deputy Kenny should look after his own brief.

Crisis in Darfur: Motion (28 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I move: That Dáil Éireann: notes with deep concern the appalling security, humanitarian and human rights situation in the Darfur region of Sudan and calls for an immediate end to the ongoing violations of human rights and international law, especially those affecting women and children; recognises the serious implications of the situation for regional security, in particular as regards...

Crisis in Darfur: Motion (28 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I am pleased to have an opportunity to move the motion, which allows Dáil Éireann to have a unified voice to express its concern at the continuing crisis in Darfur. The motion itself sets out the range of issues which makes the situation in Darfur so grave and complex. I wish to focus on a few key points and to bring the House up to date on the latest developments. While the situation is...