Results 3,281-3,300 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Nuclear Disarmament Initiative: Nuclear Disarmament Initiative (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Government and our EU partners share the widespread concern at Iran's refusal to comply with its international obligations in respect of its nuclear programme. Aspects of that programme, together with Iran's pursuit of long-range missile technology, have given rise to serious concern that it is seeking to develop a nuclear weapons capability. The Government shares the clear view of Iran's...

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

Dermot Ahern: The Antarctic Treaty opened for signature on 1 December, 1959 in Washington DC and came into force in 1961. The stated aim of the Treaty is to ensure "in the interests of all mankind that Antarctica shall continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and shall not become the scene or object of international discord." In particular the Treaty sought to prohibit nuclear testing...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96, 100 and 110 together. I continue to be gravely concerned at the deterioration in the situation in Zimbabwe. Efforts by the Government of Zimbabwe to tackle hyper-inflation by imposing fixed prices by force have led to severe shortages in urban areas. In rural areas, millions are likely to need food aid as a result of crop failures, exacerbated by...

Written Answers — Irish Emigrants: Irish Emigrants (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 117 together. Maintaining and strengthening links with Irish communities overseas is a key priority of my Department. An essential and positive development in the provision of services to Irish emigrants is the very substantial level of funding now available. In 2007, the unprecedented amount of €15.165 million has been provided for emigrant services,...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 329 together. The renewed conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) poses a threat to the transition process in the country and needs to be addressed urgently. A number of armed militias are preying on the population in North and South Kivu, and attempts by government troops to resolve the situation by force risk visiting further...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I would like to direct the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 86 which was as follows. The problems that force people to seek asylum within the EU and elsewhere are many and all too common. They have to 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. Those...

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

Dermot Ahern: On 3 October, I met with the US Secretary of State, Dr Condoleezza Rice, in Washington DC. My meeting provided an opportunity to discuss a number of issues of current international concern, including the planned conference in the US next month on the Middle East as well as Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Following on from meetings I had earlier that week in New York, including with UN Secretary...

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

Dermot Ahern: I very much share the concerns expressed by Deputy Sherlock about the killings and serious human rights abuses which occurred in Gujarat in 2002, and the strong evidence which exists to suggest that some individuals within the State Government of Gujarat were involved. In view of very deep concerns in this regard, and particularly in light of the strong evidence of involvement by the State...

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

Dermot Ahern: Relations between Turkey and Armenia are complicated by a number of outstanding issues. The major dispute between the two countries centres on the different interpretations of events during the First World War which resulted in the tragic deaths of very large numbers of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire. The Turkish Government has proposed the establishment of a commission, composed of eminent...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106, 128 and 129 together. Legislation creating offences connected with human trafficking was published by my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, on 9th October, 2007. It is also the intention of the Minster for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to include provisions in the forthcoming Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill which...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The security, humanitarian and human rights challenges in the Central African Republic (CAR) remain immense, with a clear need for international support. In recent years, an already difficult situation has been exacerbated by the activities of criminal gangs, armed rebellions in the north-west and the north-east and the spill-over of instability from Darfur and Chad. However, there has been...

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

Dermot Ahern: Together with our European Union partners, Ireland is closely monitoring developments in regard to Supreme Court investigations in connection with the alleged association of members of Congress and Government officials with paramilitary groups in Colombia. Any association between elected representatives and officials and paramilitary groups is a matter of serious concern in itself, and also...

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

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy will be aware, there is a large number of international agreements within the UN framework, covering a very wide range of subjects and falling within the functional responsibility of a number of Departments. A list of the international agreements within the UN framework which have been signed but not ratified by Ireland (apart from those which have been superseded by subsequent...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 309 together. My Department has already been involved in constructive discussions with the Chinese Government on the implications of the Olympic Games in Beijing next year. We have highlighted the opportunities which China's hosting of the Games present, in terms of show-casing the country and its many achievements. In that context, we have stressed...

Written Answers — Nuclear Issues: Nuclear Issues (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The next Plenary Meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) is scheduled to take place in Germany in early 2008. There will be a meeting of the NSG Consultative Group in Vienna from 14-16 November this year. This is the standing inter-sessional working body of the NSG, tasked to hold consultations on issues associated with the Guidelines on Nuclear Supply and related issues. The agenda for...

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

Dermot Ahern: I assume that the Deputy is referring to the issue of extraordinary rendition, which has been raised on many occasions in this House. As I have made clear repeatedly, the Government are completely opposed to the practice of the extraordinary rendition of prisoners. Our concerns in relation to this matter have been made clear to the highest levels of the US Government, including by the...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: In recent years, a number of new approaches have been suggested for the processing of mixed flows of migrants and asylum seekers that wish to enter the EU. These proposals include the establishment of transit and processing centres outside of the EU. While there may be good reasons for these proposed centres, such as the provision of better levels of protection than are currently available...

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

Dermot Ahern: I assume the Deputy is referring to the use by States of private military/private security companies (PMCs/PSCs) in situations of armed conflict. I am advised that both the staff of private military/private security companies and any State hiring them have responsibilities under international humanitarian law. An Irish citizen working for such a company would be bound by international...

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

Dermot Ahern: Ireland and Egypt have enjoyed very good relations for many years. The Government was particularly pleased to welcome President Mubarak to Dublin last December on the first ever visit by an Egyptian Head of State. I am in regular contact with the Egyptian Foreign Minister. We greatly value the positive role played by Egypt regionally, especially in relation to the Middle East Peace Process...

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

Dermot Ahern: The report of the visit to Ireland one year ago by the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) of the Council of Europe was published along with the response of the Government on 10 October. My Department participated in an Inter-Departmental Committee on the preparation of the visit chaired by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I am pleased with the statement at the...