Results 301-320 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Foreign Travel: Foreign Travel (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: It was with great regret that my Department learned that an Irish national was tragically killed in Saudi Arabia in August 2004. I am sure I speak for all Members of the House in extending our deepest sympathy to the family. Following his death, our embassy in Riyadh extended all possible consular assistance to his family and the embassy has had numerous contacts with the Saudi Arabian...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: Secretary General Annan's statement was an important contribution to the debate on whether there was an adequate legal base to authorise the coalition invasion of Iraq. The Taoiseach, in his statement to the Dáil on 20 March 2003, acknowledged that there was no clear legal consensus on whether there was a mandate for the use of force against Iraq. He acknowledged that the arguments put...

Written Answers — Arms Trade: Arms Trade (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: A exports of arms from EU countries must conform to the EU code of conduct on arms exports, which establishes criteria to control such exports. Ireland was actively involved in the establishment of this politically binding code, which was adopted by the EU General Affairs Council in June 1998. The code lists the factors to be taken into account when deciding whether to allow an export of...

Written Answers — Emigrant Services: Emigrant Services (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 188, 213 and 227 together. The Government's concern regarding the situation of the undocumented Irish in the United States is raised regularly in our bilateral contacts with the US authorities, including when the Taoiseach and my predecessor met President Bush at the EU-US summit in Dromoland in June 2004. In this regard, we welcome the various proposals in...

Written Answers — European Neighbourhood Policy: European Neighbourhood Policy (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: The European neighbourhood policy is designed to strengthen relations between the European Union and those neighbouring countries that do not currently have the prospect of EU membership. In return for concrete progress and the effective implementation of political, economic and institutional reforms reflecting shared values, the initiative offers these countries the prospect of closer...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: The security situation in Iraq continues to be a matter of serious concern both to Ireland and to the international community at large. Violent incidents continue to increase and I am concerned that the situation may continue to worsen in the run up to the Iraqi elections scheduled for January. In addition to the brutal murder of Mr. Ken Bigley, and persons of many other nationalities, it is...

Written Answers — Military Neutrality: Military Neutrality (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: The solidarity clause and so-called mutual defence clause are separate issues in the European constitution. As regards the solidarity clause, Article I-43, it is for each member state to determine how to respond to a request from another member state in case of terrorist attack or natural or man-made disaster. No member state is bound to take any particular course of action. The European...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 195, 225, 352 and 361 together. Since my recent appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs, I had the opportunity to meet my EU ministerial colleagues at the meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council which took place in Luxembourg on 11 October. I look forward to many future opportunities for discussions with my colleagues both bilaterally...

Written Answers — EU Constitution: EU Constitution (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: Following signature of the treaty establishing a constitution for Europe, which is to take place in Rome on 29 October, it will then be for all member states of the European Union to ratify the European constitution in accordance with their own constitutional requirements. The European constitution sets a target date of 1 November 2006 for the completion of this process and for its entry into...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: The Government has no information to indicate that prisoners are being transported through Irish airports to and from Guantanamo or elsewhere. Furthermore, the US authorities have confirmed to our embassy in Washington that they have not been using Irish airports for this purpose and that they would not seek to use Irish airports for this purpose in the future without seeking the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: The protection and promotion of human rights is, and has always been, a priority of successive Governments and central to our foreign policy. Support for civil society, human rights and democratisation is an important element of Ireland's international development co-operation programmes. Together with our EU partners, the Government monitors the human rights situations in many countries, on...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 357 together. Uganda's track record in poverty reduction and economic management over the past 18 years stands up favourably to comparison with much of Africa. The country has seen the development of key institutions of governance and earned a good reputation in some areas such as press freedom. The announced intention to move to a multi-party system...

Written Answers — Common Foreign and Security Policy: Common Foreign and Security Policy (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I very much look forward to discussing various issues of concern to both our Departments with the Minister of Defence, including issues relating to European security and defence policy. I am very conscious of the importance of close co-operation and co-ordination between the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Defence. Officials from my Department and from the Department of...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: The political situation in Venezuela in recent months has been focused on the outcome of the presidential recall referendum held on 15 August 2004. President Hugo Chavez won this referendum with 59% of the vote and the result has been endorsed by the main international observers, the Organisation of American States and the Carter Center, whose observer mission was headed by the former US...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 210 together. The Helsinki European Council in December 1999 decided that Turkey is a candidate country destined to join the European Union on the basis of the same criteria applied to other candidate states. The Copenhagen European Council in December 2002 made the clear commitment that if the European Council meeting in December 2004 decides that...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I acknowledge the concern which exists about the manner in which the act of free choice was conducted in West Papua. However, as has been stated on many occasions in the House, the review of the act of free choice would require the support of UN member states. Inquiries made by our Permanent Representative to the UN confirm that, at present, there is no significant support for such an...

Written Answers — EU Constitution: EU Constitution (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: Article III — 309 of the European constitution updates and expands the Petersberg Tasks, which currently cover humanitarian and rescue tasks, peacekeeping and peacemaking, to include joint disarmament operations, military advice and assistance tasks and post-conflict stabilisation. The constitution makes clear that all these tasks may contribute to combating terrorism, including by...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 223 together. At Leeds Castle, the Taoiseach and the Government team worked hard to achieve resolutions to the four outstanding issues identified by the two Governments, namely, an end to paramilitary activity; decommissioning; stability of the political institutions; and policing, including the devolution of policing and justice powers. At the...

Written Answers — EU Constitution: EU Constitution (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: In the European constitution, member states express their determination to ensure that the Union is capable of fully assuming its responsibilities as part of the international community. They also recognise that the United Nations may request the Union's assistance for the urgent implementation of its missions. In order to undertake peacekeeping and conflict prevention missions in the...

Written Answers — Arms Trade: Arms Trade (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: The European Council on 12 December 2003 invited the General Affairs and External Relations Council, GAERC, to re-examine the question of the embargo on the sale of arms to China. Initial discussion at the GAERC took place on 26 January 2004, when it was agreed to invite the permanent representatives' committee, COREPER, and the political and security committee, PSC, to look into the matter....