Results 3,241-3,260 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Departmental Advertising: Departmental Advertising (16 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: From time to time, the Department uses print and broadcast media for an advertising or public awareness campaign. It recognises the important role local and community radio stations can play in such campaigns. I understand that campaigns are carried out by commercial advertising agencies which advise on the best approach with regard to the subject matter and the need to reach the widest...

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (16 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Four bodies are operating under the aegis of my Department — the Advisory Board for Development Co-operation Ireland; the Development Education Advisory Committee; the Díon Committee, which advises on support for our emigrant communities in Britain; and the Board of the Ireland-United States Commission for Educational Exchange, also known as the Fulbright Commission. While it is not a...

Written Answers — Nuclear Safety: Nuclear Safety (16 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Government's deep concern about the Sellafield plant, and its firm view that it should be closed down, is well-known to the British authorities and is subject to ongoing discussion with them. I have consistently emphasised, as Minister and as Deputy for Louth, the risk Sellafield poses to public safety and the environment. During my recent meeting with the British Foreign Secretary, Mr....

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (16 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Christian communities in the Middle East comprise a large number of often very ancient churches. They are for the most part comparatively small communities, geographically dispersed among the much larger Muslim societies in which they live. Along with other minority communities, they are particularly vulnerable in times of war or tension. The number of Christians across the region has...

Written Answers — Irish Illegal Emigrants: Irish Illegal Emigrants (16 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The failure of efforts by the United States Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation earlier this year was a major disappointment and a setback for the thousands of undocumented Irish people in the United States and their families in Ireland. Given the present very difficult and divided environment in Congress on immigration, it is widely considered that such...

Written Answers — Regulatory Impact Assessments: Regulatory Impact Assessments (16 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Since the introduction in June 2005 of Regulatory Impact Analysis, my Department has carried out Regulatory Impact Analysis screenings, on the British-Irish Agreement (Amendment) Act 2006, which related to the mandate and functions of the Special EU Programmes Body, and on the recently published Passports Bill 2007. The Department has sponsored two pieces of EU-related legislation since June...

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (16 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I have taken a close personal interest in this distressing case since first being made aware of it. The Taoiseach and I met the wife and son of the person referred to by the Deputy on 22 September in our Embassy in Paris. During this meeting, we assured them of our ongoing support and continued determination to provide all possible consular assistance. I understand that the family also met...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (16 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 324 and 325 together. Under the Government's decentralisation programme, the Development Co-operation Directorate of the Department of Foreign Affairs, which is Irish Aid's Headquarters, will decentralise to Limerick. This is scheduled to take place in early 2008 on completion and fit-out of the permanent premises in Henry Street. It will involve the...

Order of Business (17 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: He was here for Question Time yesterday.

Order of Business (17 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Where was Deputy Burton? She had plenty of opportunities to ask the Minister questions yesterday.

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (17 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: No application has been received in the Passport Office to date for the person mentioned. If the person has any difficulties with documentation regarding his application, the Passport Office (Brian Hanniffy, 6733040) will be happy to help.

Written Answers — Anti-Poverty Strategy: Anti-Poverty Strategy (17 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Given the nature of this Department's work, our policies and programmes normally do not have direct impact on poverty and social inclusion in Ireland. In June 2006, officials from the Office of Social Inclusion briefed the relevant sections of this Department regarding implementation of the guidelines on poverty impact assessment which were issued in April 2006. All proposals submitted by...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Relations: Diplomatic Relations (17 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Under the General Assembly's Resolution 2758 of 25 October 1971, the Government of the People's Republic of China is recognised as the sole representative of China. In common with most Member States of the UN, and all EU partners, Ireland recognises the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China. Taiwan's official status remains that of a Province...

Written Answers — Illegal Irish Emigrants: Illegal Irish Emigrants (17 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: A US citizen, or a lawful permanent resident, can apply to sponsor a close family relative to enter the United States on an immigrant visa. Eligibility for citizenship is then normally based on legal residency and/or service in the U.S. military. In addition, employers in the US may, in certain circumstances, apply to sponsor non-US nationals for entry. The undocumented, including the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (17 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Under the Government's decentralisation programme, the Development Cooperation Directorate of the Department of Foreign Affairs, which is Irish Aid's Headquarters, will decentralise to Limerick. This is scheduled to take place in early 2008 on completion and fit-out of the permanent premises in Henry Street. It will involve the relocation to Limerick of 124 posts. Good progress has been made...

Territorial Waters. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea a coastal state is entitled to a continental shelf of 200 nautical miles, approximately 370 km in breadth, regardless of whether its continental shelf physically extends that far subject only to the similar rights of its coastal neighbours. It may also claim a broader shelf where it can show the natural prolongation of its land...

Territorial Waters. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: With regard to responsibility, the Department of Foreign Affairs has primary responsibility for the State's international boundaries and this includes the seabed. The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has responsibility for supervising and licensing many activities. Ireland will be the first state in the world to make a successful claim in this regard. The...

Territorial Waters. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: No, because the discussions are ongoing for the past five years. The next meeting is due to take place next week in Denmark.

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Brutal repression, mass arrests and intimidation cannot hide the fact that over the past two months, the people of Burma have made clear their unequivocal demand for democracy, national reconciliation and an end to military dictatorship. The Government and people stand firmly behind them. As the crisis escalated, the Government was active in support of the Burmese people. As well as the...

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: We do not have diplomatic relations with Burma and no steps have been taken in this regard. It would be totally unimaginable in the circumstances that we would move in that respect. Because of that, we have no contact with the Burmese authorities and any contacts are made with our partners. With regard to the response from the Chinese and the Indians, they listened to our views on this....