Results 3,261-3,280 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: To the best of my knowledge, the responses did not come in writing. Normal contact is maintained with the relevant embassies. I wrote to the Foreign Ministers but I understand there has been no response. If any is given, I will relate that to the Deputy. There is no trade between Ireland and Burma.

Cross-Border Projects. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Arising from the Good Friday Agreement, six North-South Implementation Bodies and Tourism Ireland were established. These bodies play a significant role in taking forward North-South co-operation on the island. The North-South Implementation Bodies are jointly funded by the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. Funding from each jurisdiction is provided on an agreed proportionate...

Cross-Border Projects. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: On the contrary, my position as Minister for Foreign Affairs with responsibility for Northern Ireland affairs and cross-Border co-operation would be enhanced by my party's consideration of a move across the Border. When my party was founded, de Valera on many occasions stated it should never be a 26-county party. As I recently stated publicly, a northern Unionist mentioned to the Taoiseach...

Cross-Border Projects. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: There seemed to be fairly universal support for the concept. As I have stated publicly, it is not a step we will take in the near future, but we will consider it strategically and carefully. As a significant party in Government, any moves clearly would have to be carried out with one eye on political stability and equilibrium built into the Good Friday Agreement. We would never put that in...

Asylum Applications. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The problems forcing people to seek asylum within the EU and elsewhere are many and all too common. They must be addressed by the international community with all the instruments and resources at its disposal. All human rights violations must be condemned wherever they occur and those responsible for persecution cannot be allowed to operate with impunity. Persecution and conflict flourish...

Asylum Applications. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: As already stated, the EU has brought forward a Green Paper. The latter does not relate to a common asylum system because discovering a resolution to this problem does not rest on any one issue. The EU is leading the world in the context of the delivery of aid to Africa in particular. Despite some reservations we might have regarding the attendance of President Mugabe at the proposed...

Asylum Applications. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: As much as possible, that is what we try to do. However, in the context of the WTO negotiations, particular member states have their own strategic national interests. The European market is probably the largest recipient of African trade — a matter about which people do not often sing from the rooftops — and is probably the most open to such trade. As already stated, myriad responses...

Human Rights Issues. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87, 107, 111, 114, 120, 132, 319 and 320 together. I refer the House to the reply I gave to Priority Question No. 84, which sets out our general approach. The international community has sent a very clear signal to the Burmese regime that we are prepared to stand together to ensure that the days of impunity are over. There has been a strong statement by the...

Human Rights Issues. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: In regard to an earlier question on trade posed by Deputy Naughten or Deputy Timmins, I said that no trade took place, but I wish to clarify that in 2006 a small trade figure of €152,000 is recorded, mainly in respect of the pharmaceutical sector. Returning to Deputy Higgins's question, I agree with him about the access Mr. Pinheiro should receive. That is one of the reasons the EU is...

Human Rights Issues. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Regarding China's response, because the local NGO group was refused access to deliver a letter to the Chinese Embassy, I took it upon myself to write to the Chinese Foreign Minister. I asked my officials to intervene with the Chinese Embassy in Dublin and the Indian Embassy at the beginning of the protest. The response from China was favourable. It surprised the international community...

Human Rights Issues. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Not so far.

Human Rights Issues. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: On the issue of the Olympic Games, the point has been made many times that China will be very aware of the international communities' view and very precious and cautious regarding the impact that might have on the games. Without being too overt about it, China has responded and has played a very valuable role in the recent events. Hopefully that will continue with regard to, for instance,...

Human Rights Issues. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The possibility of an EU envoy working in tandem with the UN Special Envoy, Dr. Gambari, was discussed in Luxembourg at the foreign affairs GAERC meeting and again in Lisbon last week. It was suggested that it would give support and feedback to European Union members with regard to the issue of the disappeared and detained and to determine how positive progress could be made. Burma...

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 32 (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy can go up and see the Ceann Comhairle.

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I understand the Deputy is referring to the appointment of Honorary Consuls rather than to the Consul positions filled at full time Consulates in the normal way by career civil servants who are transferred abroad for a temporary period. When deciding where Honorary Consuls of Ireland are to be appointed, I have regard to whether such appointments are justified by the need to provide for the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Inevitably, perhaps, international attention in relation to Iran has focused recently on the nuclear issue and on developments in neighbouring Iraq. The Government believes it is important that we do not lose sight of the human rights situation in Iran, on which we have very serious concerns. After a period in which gradual progress was evident in the overall human rights situation, the past...

Written Answers — EU Treaties: EU Treaties (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90, 103 and 322 together. Agreement on further Treaty provisions in the area of freedom, security and justice is one of the key features of the new Reform Treaty which was agreed to by the Taoiseach and his fellow Heads of State and Government at the informal European Council in Lisbon last week. These provisions will strengthen the Union's ability to combat...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 91, 108, 138, 315 and 318 together. Ireland is a long-standing and active proponent of the establishment of an independent Palestinian State. The Government has argued strongly within the EU and internationally that a comprehensive settlement in the Middle East is more urgently needed now than at any time in the past sixty years. It must be based on a...

Written Answers — International Conventions: International Conventions (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The exercise of universal jurisdiction involves the prosecution by the State of a person in Ireland for a crime committed anywhere and regardless of that person's nationality. As it is an exception to the general principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of other states, it requires the sanction of international law. Under Irish law, universal jurisdiction may be exercised in...

Written Answers — Freedom of Expression: Freedom of Expression (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 321 together. The Government is aware of, and concerned about, problems in Pakistan relating, amongst other things, to freedom of expression, the dissemination of information, and the ill-treatment of editors and reporters. These problems have been well documented within Pakistan itself by the Pakistani media and by the Human Rights Commission of...