Results 3,521-3,540 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Management Information Framework System: Management Information Framework System (11 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 426 and 427 together. The benefits of the Management Information Framework (MIF) are measured in terms of improved efficiency, greater financial controls, enhanced accountability and the promotion f a value for money approach to all financial transactions. It is not possible to attribute a specific financial saving to the introduction of the MIF. However, it...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (12 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The person in question was issued with his most recent Irish passport on 7th February 2006.

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (12 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: At my request, the Attorney General has considered whether the legal effects of the Reform Treaty require amendment of the Constitution to enable ratification. The Attorney General has advised that such an amendment is required. Any amendment to the Constitution must be authorised by referendum. It is intended that legislation amending Article 29 of the Constitution will be brought before the...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (12 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland's Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) comprises of both multilateral and bilateral contributions. Multilateral ODA consists of contributions channelled through multilateral and international organisations who conduct their activities in favour of development. These pooled contributions are not reported to Irish Aid on a country-specific basis. Bilateral ODA consists of contributions...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (12 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland was represented at the second EU-Africa Summit in Lisbon on 8-9 December by the Taoiseach and by my colleague Micheál Kitt T.D., Minister of State for Overseas Development. The Taoiseach had a short meeting with President Mbeki in the course of the Summit. The Summit marked an important step forward in the co-operation between our two continents. Discussions at the Summit covered...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (13 Dec 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. Good progress has been made and personnel have either been assigned to, or identified for, 103 posts or approximately 83% of the 124 posts scheduled to be decentralised. An advance party of 55 staff...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (13 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: My Department has made advance payments in two instances in relation to services which will not be provided before the end of 2007. Firstly, in preparation for an international conference on cluster munitions which will take place in Dublin in May of next year, my Department has paid a deposit of €34,150 for the use of the Croke Park Conference Centre. Secondly, in preparation for the...

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (13 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: My Department, through the Consular Section and our Embassy in Buenos Aires, has been working intensively to locate the person concerned and is in daily contact with his family and friends. The Gardaí have also been asked by the family for assistance in the search. Following the report of his missing status, our Embassy in Buenos Aires made immediate contact with the national police...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (13 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Department of Foreign Affairs has not provided any funding for the upkeep of the property to which the Deputy refers, or for any religious or cultural events at the location. I understand, however, that Culture Ireland may have sponsored a 9/11 memorial concert in this location. Should the Deputy wish to furnish further details of any other event or project which he believes may have...

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: We are sorry to disappoint Deputy Brian Hayes.

Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Speech.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (18 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I presume that the person in question wishes to apply for Irish citizenship by Foreign Births Registration. If so, she should apply to the Department's Consular Services Office at 1A South Mall, Cork, where the application will be processed. An applicant for Foreign Births Registration is required to confirm his / her entitlement to Irish citizenship. This will involve producing sufficient...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (18 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I am deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka. Ireland, together with our partners in the EU, takes a close interest in the situation in that country, and in particular the disturbing level of serious human rights violations. We have consistently sought to impress on both the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) the importance of curbing...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (18 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The case to which the Deputy refers relates to five Cuban citizens who were convicted in the US in 2001 on charges ranging from espionage to first degree murder. A panel of three judges from the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta overturned the 2001 convictions on 9th August 2005 and ordered a retrial based on new evidence. The Miami District Attorney duly filed an appeal against the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (18 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: My Department has not paid in advance for any works or services which have commenced but will not be completed before the end of 2007. As I indicated to the Deputy in my reply to Parliamentary Question 34734, my Department has made advance payments in two instances in relation to services which will not be provided before the end of 2007. Firstly, in preparation for an international...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (18 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Passport Office may issue passports only to Irish citizens. As the child in question was born in the State after 1 January 2005, his entitlement to citizenship is governed by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 2004. Under the Act, a person born in the State after 1 January 2005, where neither parent is an Irish or British citizen, may claim citizenship by birth (and thereby...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (18 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Díon Advisory Committee has no executive or operational function. All operational matters in relation to the considerable Government support for our community in Britain — particularly the vulnerable among our citizens there — are the responsibility of the Department of Foreign Affairs, and specifically are managed by the Irish Abroad Unit in the Department and the Embassy in London,...

Written Answers — Departmental Records: Departmental Records (18 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I have an office in the Headquarters of my Department, Iveagh House, and use that office, and other meeting and reception rooms in that building, for official business on an ongoing basis. It simply would not make sense for my Department to maintain a record of my attendance in my own office. In addition, related to Oireachtas business, I also work from an office in Leinster House.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (18 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Government, together with our EU partners, has consistently condemned the practice of hostage-taking and kidnapping by the FARC guerrillas and other illegal armed groups in Colombia and continues to offer full support to the Colombian Government in its search for a negotiated solution to the internal armed conflict and the release of all hostages. Conclusions on Colombia were most...

European Council: Statements (19 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The judgment referred to was delivered only yesterday and it will take time to have it analysed. Under the reform treaty, we have the capability of opting in and it is our desire to do so as often as possible. From an initial analysis of the judgment, the reform treaty may well strengthen our position in terms of our ability to opt in. We would only be excluded at the behest of all the...