Results 3,001-3,020 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

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

Dermot Ahern: The Department of Foreign Affairs has no estimate of the number of Irish journalists based in conflict zones around the world. The Department provides consular assistance and support to all Irish citizens who find themselves in difficulties when abroad. In recent times, this included at least two Irish journalists, in Iraq and in Zimbabwe. Citizens are advised, when travelling to a known...

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

Dermot Ahern: The Government is greatly concerned by recent events in the Republic of Guinea, notably the violence which took place in January and February. While we have few direct bilateral connections with Guinea, we fully support efforts by the European Union to promote peace and political progress there. On behalf of the EU, the German Presidency on 19 January issued a statement in response to the...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I travelled to Washington on Wednesday 14th March, where I joined the Taoiseach for the programme of events starting with the American Ireland Fund National Gala Dinner that evening, where the Honourees were the new Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, the Republican Leader in the Senate, Mitch McConnell, and the Friends of Ireland Group in Congress, represented by its Chair, Representative...

Written Answers — Nuclear Proliferation: Nuclear Proliferation (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose taking Questions Nos. 164 and 174 together. As I indicated in response to questions last month, there are currently no negotiations underway between the EU3 and Iran. However, High Representative Solana did meet informally with lead Iranian negotiator Ali Larijani on 11 February last during the 43rd Munich Conference on Security Policy. This was their first meeting since...

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

Dermot Ahern: I welcome the decision by the Spring European Council, at which I accompanied the Taoiseach, to set a binding renewable energy target of 20% of total EU energy consumption, to be achieved by 2020. The Spring European Council was preceded by a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers at which energy and climate change were key topics of discussion. This is an ambitious and challenging policy. Ireland...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: In the recent White Paper on Irish Aid, the Government committed to undertaking a major review of the management of the Aid programme in the light of the very substantial increase in the funding available to it. The review will embrace the financial and administrative systems, approval, monitoring, audit and evaluation mechanisms, management information systems and the management and...

Written Answers — Nuclear Proliferation: Nuclear Proliferation (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: As I indicated in response to questions last month, there are currently no negotiations under way between the EU3 and Iran. However, High Representative Solana did meet informally with lead Iranian negotiator Ali Larijani on 11 February last during the 43rd Munich Conference on Security Policy. This was their first meeting since discussions in September 2006, which failed to agree an...

Written Answers — Nuclear Proliferation: Nuclear Proliferation (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: There are currently two nuclear programmes of concern to the international community in which the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is involved. These are the nuclear programmes of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Iran. The IAEA has been unable to draw any conclusions regarding the DPRK's nuclear activities since inspectors were expelled from the country in 2002....

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

Dermot Ahern: The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for visa applications to our Missions abroad. Visa applications made in Ireland are the responsibility of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Visa applications received abroad, which are not subject to delegated sanction, are subsequently referred to Dublin for approval or otherwise by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Where it is sought to transport munitions of war through Irish territory, the permission of the Minister for Transport, in the case of civilian aircraft, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in the case of foreign military aircraft, is required. The grant of such permission is dependent upon a number of different factors, among them air safety, Ireland's obligations under international...

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

Dermot Ahern: We regularly receive communications from individuals who state that they are members of the Iranian opposition. Some of these individuals are members of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, NCRI, or of groups linked to it. The NCRI has very close links with the Peoples' Mujahidin of Iran, PMOI, which is also referred to as the OMPI, the MEK and the MKO, and which is regarded by the...

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

Dermot Ahern: I wish to thank the Deputy for getting back to me on this matter, as I suggested in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 342 on 6 March 2007. The Embassy in Paris has now raised the case with the Regional Director of Police for Cannes, and has sought an explanation for the manner in which the person mentioned by the Deputy was allegedly treated by the police there. I will revert to the...

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: In its contracts and procurements, the Department complies with all applicable national and EU rules as set out in the Department of Finance guidance document "Public Procurement Guidelines- Competitive Process". Any departure from the normal procedures would only arise in certain limited situations which are recognised and permitted by the EU Directive and national rules. The Department has...

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Opposition has been caught out in its rhetoric.

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Has Deputy Ring not gone to the Labour Party yet?

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The last we heard of Deputy Ring, he was going to the Labour Party.

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: It is just not cricket.

Order of Business (22 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: We look after the people.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (22 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: My Department has never introduced secondary legislation on foot of the EC Treaties or on foot of measures adopted by the EU Institutions that create penalties, including penalties of the kind referred to in the Deputy's question. Insofar as primary legislation is concerned, my Department has recently introduced the European Communities Bill 2006 (Seanad), which seeks to address the...

Leaders' Questions (27 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I wonder why.