Results 2,981-3,000 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 131 together. I have made clear on a number of previous occasions the Government's disappointment with the content of the Report of the Temporary Committee of the European Parliament on extraordinary rendition. In particular, the Committee's figure of 147 allegedly suspicious flights is grossly inflated, as shown by the identification of only 3...

Written Answers — Bolivarian Transition: Bolivarian Transition (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Bolivarian Revolution, named after the South American independence hero Simón Bolivar, was launched by President Hugo Chavez following his inauguration as President of Venezuela in 1999. It aims to create a social economy with a focus on poverty reduction as an alternative to market-led economic policies. It also provides for a high degree of what is termed participatory democracy....

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: At the meeting of the European Council in Brussels on 8-9 March 2007, EU Governments decided on a series of ambitious measures in relation to energy and climate change. The Governments agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020. They also agreed to aim for a 30% cut under a global and comprehensive agreement for the post-2012 period. This 30% cut will be contingent on other...

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

Dermot Ahern: The Independent Monitoring Commission confirmed in its 13th Report that efforts by some in the leadership of the UVF and UDA to move those organisations away from violence and criminality are continuing, but that progress on this front remains mixed and limited. These findings were briefly reiterated in the 14th IMC report on progress with regard to security normalisation measures. As I...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Immediately after the bombing of the New Delhi-Lahore train on the night of 18/19 February, I made clear my utter condemnation of this terrorist act. I again extend my deepest sympathies to those affected by it. Although the attack occurred in India, it deeply affected both Pakistani and Indian communities. Since its resumption in 2004, the New Delhi-Lahore train service has been a symbol of...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Somalia has been without an effective government since 1991. A Transitional Federal Government (TFG) representing a range of clans was established in Nairobi in 2004 with UN approval and EU support, but it was unable to make a significant impact on the ground. Public discontent with over a decade of anarchy led to increased support for the United Islamic Courts (UIC), which enforced sharia...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 163 together. The security situation in Afghanistan remains a cause of serious concern. Insurgent activity is expected to rise in 2007, but NATO, which leads the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), remains confident that the insurgency can be contained and defeated. On 6 March ISAF and the Afghan National Security Forces launched Operation...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The introduction of the biometric or e-Passport on 16 October, 2006 has greatly enhanced the security features of the Irish passport. The microchip in the passport contains a digital image of the holder which cannot be altered. Any attempt to alter the data on the microchip will be apparent when the passport is read at a border control station because of the added security on our chip. I am...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 176 together. We are aware of reports that the US has recently approached Poland and the Czech Republic to deploy elements of its anti-missile defence system there. At the March meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council, the question was raised briefly. The matter was not discussed in any detail. The European Union does not have an...

Written Answers — Human Trafficking: Human Trafficking (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The latest report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights aspects of the victims of trafficking in persons, especially women and children, Sigma Huda, was submitted to the Human Rights Council in January 2007, on foot of Council Decision 1/102. The report covers the period January to December 2006 and contains an outline of the Special Rapporteur's activities in that period. The main...

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

Dermot Ahern: On 20 February 2007, the British Government announced that a new custom-built training centre will be built for the Police and emergency services at Cookstown Co. Tyrone. The announcement stated that funding will be provided for an integrated college for police, fire and prison services. At the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in Dundalk on 26 February 2007, both Governments...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 134, 154 and 238 together. In July 2005, President Bush and Prime Minister Singh agreed to establish a new strategic partnership between their two countries. One element of that partnership was a proposed agreement on civil nuclear cooperation. In March 2006, the two leaders announced that agreement had been reached. On 9 December 2006 the US Congress adopted...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 152 together. Questions relating to the treatment of the Falun Gong — including specific cases — are raised regularly, within the context of the wider situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in China, in the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, as well as in our own bilateral contacts with the Government of China. The EU-China Human Rights...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: St Patrick's Day provides a truly unique framework in which to showcase Ireland on the world stage. The goodwill and attention associated with the festival offers an unrivalled opportunity to promote modern Ireland overseas. St Patrick's Day also offers unique marketing opportunities to highlight to a global audience the advantages of doing business in Ireland. It offers a chance to promote...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland has a network of 74 resident diplomatic and consular Missions abroad, as well as the British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat in Belfast and the North-South Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat in Armagh. While the opening of new Embassies abroad is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis, any expansion of our diplomatic network can only be undertaken having regard to...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The European Communities Bill 2006 seeks to address the implications of the Supreme Court judgements in the Browne and Kennedy cases for the way in which EC measures are transposed into domestic law. Since 1973, it has been the practice to use statutory instrument-making powers contained in a wide variety of Acts of the Oireachtas to give effect to EC measures. The Supreme Court, in the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (21 Mar 2007)

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...

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) is an integral part of the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy, the principles and objectives of which are set out in the Maastricht, Amsterdam and Nice Treaties, approved by the people at successive referenda. Comprehensive reports on activities under the ESDP are submitted to the European Council at the conclusion of each Council...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of the allegations referred to by the Deputy that the imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Oçalan is being poisoned. These allegations were made by his lawyers who claimed they had evidence that he was being systematically exposed to toxins that could endanger his life. In response, I understand that the Turkish authorities arranged for Oçalan to be examined by a team of medical...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: 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, the EU can decide, on the basis of a proposal from the...