Results 2,941-2,960 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Human Rights Issues. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: None of our aid goes directly to the Zimbabwean Government. It goes to the NGOs and other organisations. I agree with the Deputy that the international community needs to mobilise support to put as much pressure as possible on this regime, which, unfortunately, has been there for some time. However, there are signs, as instanced by some comments by the US ambassador, that there seems to be...

Human Rights Issues. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The answer to the last question is yes, we have. Again, it is important to stress it is not just the South African Government which has some influence in this difficult issue, even though there are substantial numbers of Zimbabweans resident in South Africa. The Southern African Development Community is an important aspect of how pressure can be put on this regime. The EU is working in...

Irish Emigrants. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The St. Patrick's Day period provided the Taoiseach and me with a particularly valuable and timely opportunity to convey our views on this issue to key figures on Capitol Hill and in the US Administration, including President Bush. During our visit, we had a detailed discussion on the way ahead with Senator Kennedy, and expressed deep appreciation for his continued strong leadership on this...

Irish Emigrants. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Government's position is we wish to have a comprehensive Bill put forward because that will deal with this issue once and for all. Obviously, other options are being considered and have been considered over the past two and a half years. We have to take cognisance of the fact there are tactics involved. People must be acutely aware that until the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform...

Human Rights Issues. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my replies to Questions Nos. 83 and 113 of 8 February, and No. 229 of 21 February, all of which deal with precisely this question. I was one of only two Ministers for Foreign Affairs to attend a meeting of the European Parliament's temporary committee investigating extraordinary rendition, the TDIP committee. There is no suggestion in the TDIP committee's report that...

Human Rights Issues. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I can provide no better quotation to show the committee's bias than one from Simon Coveney MEP, who said, before the report was passed, that he did not feel that the original paragraph was balanced in its treatment on Ireland. He said that it exaggerated the numbers and proposed an amendment but did not turn up to vote for it. Mr. Marty has been quoted on several occasions. The Deputy...

Human Rights Issues. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I did not interrupt the Deputy. I can quote no better person than——

Human Rights Issues. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Stephen Grey——

Human Rights Issues. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Stephen Grey, a New York Times correspondent who gave evidence to the committee, stated that it was highly unlikely that Shannon would be used in any way, shape or form. That was supported by Tom Cloonan, an Irish defence expert, who stated that he had many discussions with people involved in Guantánamo who said quite clearly that Shannon was never used for extraordinary rendition. The...

Human Rights Issues. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: There is no evidence.

Human Rights Issues. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I can give the Deputy more if he wants.

Decentralisation Programme. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy does not think much of Limerick.

Nuclear Disarmament. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I met Dr. El Baradei on 16 February. Dr. El Baradei, who also met the Taoiseach and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government separately on the same day, was in Dublin to receive an honorary patronage of the Trinity College Philosophical Society. In the course of our meeting, I raised a number of issues in Dr. El Baradei's particular area of responsibility, including...

Nuclear Disarmament. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: In general, yes. I said at the UN review conference that it is hypocritical of certain countries to demand, from a military point of view, that others should not be allowed to move on nuclear energy, while they themselves are not disarming, which was the other side of the coin in terms of the NPT. Ireland has been to the fore over the years in articulating that and will continue to do so....

Nuclear Disarmament. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Yes, I am generally not in favour of bilateral agreements. I support multilateralism and the attempts to ensure all nations disarm, as originally intended under the NPT, while also preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons. That has been successful, although there are some who say there are difficulties. I agree there are difficulties, but at least Iran remains part of the NPT and...

Nuclear Disarmament. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I did not say that.

Nuclear Disarmament. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I will not repeat my view on double standards as I am inclined to agree with the sentiments expressed on the other side of the House. On the Iranian situation, the Deputy is correct that the only way to deal with the situation is by negotiation, treating Iran with dignity, but at the same time sending a strong message that the international community, not just America, Europe or Israel, does...

Nuclear Disarmament. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Discussions are taking place, but based on the recent report of the IAEA, the UN Security Council will, within the next week, examine what further action should be taken against Iran. We live in an open society where debate takes place. We must be grateful for that and that we do not live in a society dictated from on top. Changes are taking place in Iranian society where groups feel some...

Nuclear Disarmament. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I assure the Deputy that Ireland is to the fore in defending the NPT, particularly in the context of the NSG. On the US-India deal, not all elements are on the table and there is still a long way to go before we reach a stage where we will have to make a determination. There are strong arguments against this deal, but other people, including Dr. El Baradei and Dr. Hans Blix, have a more...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Following intensive discussions at Weston Park in July 2001 involving the Irish and British Governments and the parties, the two Governments published the elements of a package which they believed would help deliver the full and early implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. The package covered all four of the then outstanding issues, namely policing, normalisation, the stability of the...