Results 341-360 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

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

Dermot Ahern: Africa is a continent beset by often seemingly insurmountable problems including conflict, debt, poverty, HIV-AIDS and the abuse of human rights. The European Commission and member states collectively are the largest global donors of development assistance to Africa and the EU is thus in a position to play an important role in helping Africans address the problems of the continent especially...

Written Answers — Nigerian Democracy: Nigerian Democracy (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: Nigeria is the most populous democracy in Africa. The high turnout and largely peaceful conduct of the elections held in 2003 marked a further important step towards the consolidation of that democracy. There is still some way to go, however. An EU election observation mission, which included two Irish observers, monitored the presidential, parliamentary and other elections and regrettably...

Written Answers — UN Missions: UN Missions (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: Peacekeeping is a central part of the work undertaken by the United Nations in fulfilling the first of the purposes for which it was established, to maintain international peace and security. Conflicts and tensions in the Middle East, Africa, Central America and elsewhere have ensured a continuing demand for United Nations peacekeepers through the years. The need for UN peacekeeping continues...

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

Dermot Ahern: The EU has taken the lead role in working with the countries of the western Balkans to consolidate peace and stability in the region and to promote economic development and respect for human rights and the rule of law. The situation in the western Balkans remains a regular item on the agenda for the monthly meetings of the General Affairs and External Relations Council. The EU-Western Balkans...

Written Answers — EU Constitution: EU Constitution (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...

Seanad: Kidnapping of Irish Citizen: Motion. (21 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I value this opportunity to address the Seanad on this very difficult and distressing situation, the abduction of Mrs. Margaret Hassan, a very dedicated and widely admired humanitarian who was kidnapped in Iraq a number of days ago. As Senators are aware, the Dáil yesterday unanimously passed a resolution condemning this appalling act and calling for Mrs. Hassan's immediate release. This...

Seanad: Kidnapping of Irish Citizen: Motion. (21 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I thank the Senators for their sentiments. I empathise and agree with what Senator Ross said. From my contact with the members of Margaret Hassan's family in Ireland, I know they have been upset by the invasion of privacy, especially at a time when it is difficult for them to get their heads around what is going on and what they can do at so far a remove. From that point of view the Senator...

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (27 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I thank the Senators who tabled the motion which the Government is happy to support. I thank the speakers for their contributions. It is interesting that the Seanad, for the second week in a row, is discussing issues pertaining to that part of the world. That is as it should be. The Government and both Houses of the Oireachtas look forward to a peaceful resolution of the intractable issues in...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (2 Nov 2004)

Dermot Ahern: The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for Vote 28, Foreign Affairs, and Vote 29, International Co-operation. For each Vote, a dedicated audit unit has been established namely. These are the inspection and audit unit for foreign affairs and the evaluation and audit unit in Development Co-operation Ireland for international co-operation. The inspection and internal audit unit...

Written Answers — Military Incursions: Military Incursions (2 Nov 2004)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy is aware, the Government regards unauthorised incursions by the British security forces into the State as a serious matter. On each reported occasion, the matter is immediately raised with the British Government. In this connection, officials met with members of the British Army's civil policy team during the summer to discuss incursions into this jurisdiction. It was emphasised...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (2 Nov 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I presume the Deputy is referring, in the first part of his question, to the employment of temporary clerical officers each year by the Department of Foreign Affairs to work in the passport offices in Dublin, Cork and Balbriggan during the spring-summer period, when the demand for passports reaches a seasonal high. The number of temporary clerical officers employed in the years 1997 to 2004,...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (2 Nov 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 294 and 295 together. In 2003, an estimated 37,000 Irish people benefited from services provided by Irish and non-Irish organisations in Britain which have been grant aided by the Government through DÍON funding. I am pleased to note that DÍON funding has more than quadrupled in the past five years. This year's initial allocation to the fund was €3.57...

Written Answers — Support for Irish Prisoners Abroad: Support for Irish Prisoners Abroad (2 Nov 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 296 and 304 together. My Department provides financial assistance to the Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas, the ICPO, the body established by the Bishops' Commission for Emigrants to identify and respond to the needs of Irish prisoners abroad and their families. Since 1997, an annual grant of €25,000 has been made to the ICPO here in Ireland....

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (2 Nov 2004)

Dermot Ahern: While I recognise fully the responsibility of the Government to our people living abroad, the welfare of those who live, work and pay taxes abroad is also, of course, a matter for the Governments and authorities in the countries of residence of the Irish people concerned. I am especially aware that some of our emigrants need help in accessing their entitlements abroad, though the exact number...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (2 Nov 2004)

Dermot Ahern: The experience of emigration has been a mixed one for Irish men and women. While many who have emigrated have prospered, emigration has presented some people with very particular difficulties. We are able to draw on a range of studies on the situation of Irish emigrants in Britain. I am aware of the difficult circumstances experienced by the individuals featured in the television programme,...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (2 Nov 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 299, 300 and 306 to 308, inclusive, together. The Deputy can be assured that the Government's concern for the undocumented Irish people in the United States is raised on an ongoing basis in our bilateral contacts with the US authorities, including when the Taoiseach and my predecessor met with President Bush at the EU-US summit in Dromoland in June 2004. I...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (2 Nov 2004)

Dermot Ahern: Many of the Irish organisations at home and abroad, which are active in the delivery of services to Irish emigrants, have established their own websites. Others have amassed a set of skills and knowledge, which would be of value to all of us with an interest in this issue. It is clearly desirable to link up the resources already available and make them more accessible. I also feel that we...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (2 Nov 2004)

Dermot Ahern: Many Irish people who have emigrated have made, and continue to make, a distinctive and invaluable contribution to developments in their adopted countries. In doing so, they have brought great credit to themselves and to Ireland. Many have also contributed to the success story that is Ireland today. We value deeply their contribution both at home and abroad. The matter of an awards scheme to...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (2 Nov 2004)

Dermot Ahern: This year my Department's funding for emigrant support stands at some €5 million, representing an increase of two thirds over 2003. This funding is directed to organisations in Britain, the United States of America and Australia which provide Irish citizens with a wide range of advice, counselling a and support services. By their very nature, the centres we support financially perform a...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (2 Nov 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I am pleased to note that there is now a dedicated section within the General Register Office which deals with applications for birth certificates submitted, for example, from Irish centres in Britain.