Results 3,701-3,720 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (28 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Passport Office has no record of such a passport having been issued.

Legislative Programme. (4 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Deputy Ó Caoláin can rest easy.

Written Answers — UN Resolutions: UN Resolutions (4 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland was a co-sponsor of an Indian resolution, adopted in June 2007, at the UN General Assembly, which declared 2 October, the birth date of Mahatma Gandhi, the International Day of Non-Violence. The resolution invites Member States to commemorate the International Day in an appropriate manner and to disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (4 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The theme of the research undertaken by transition year students from Coláiste Bhríde in Carnew is very relevant. The promotion of gender equality is one of eight Millennium Development Goals agreed by Ireland and other members of the United Nations in 2000. My Department is contributing directly to reaching this Goal through Irish Aid funding for programmes in developing countries to...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (4 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), adopted in the year 2000 as part of the commitments undertaken by Heads of Government at the Millennium Summit, represent a measurable framework for development up to the year 2015. The MDGs are at the heart of our development co-operation programme. Irish Aid's focus on reducing poverty and supporting the provision of basic services to the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (4 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The situation to which the Deputy refers concerns the killing of 45 people which occurred in December 1997 in Acteal, Chiapas State, Mexico, and subsequent convictions on charges of participating in the massacre. I am aware that the Mexican courts are currently considering the appeals of some of this group. I have not raised the matter of these convictions and ongoing appeals with the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (4 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am deeply concerned by reports of violence against Christian minority communities in Orissa, and particularly by the events which occurred there over the Christmas period. I issued immediate instructions to our Embassy in New Delhi to raise our concerns, shared also by our EU partners, with the Indian authorities. It is important that these events are fully investigated and addressed by...

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (4 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is responsible for the issuing of UN travel documents. Policy and practice in this regard, including issues associated with the status of a person to whom such a document is issued, are handled by that Department. No new passport application has been received by the Passport Office in respect of the child in question. It is therefore not...

Written Answers — Election Monitoring: Election Monitoring (4 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I remain deeply concerned about the economic hardships and political repression which are affecting the ordinary people of Zimbabwe. Ireland and the EU have supported the process of dialogue between the Zimbabwean Government and the opposition, facilitated by South Africa under a mandate from the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The talks have not formally concluded but, with...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (4 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: My Department promotes energy conservation measures on an ongoing basis. It is participating in the recently launched Optimising Power @ Work, Staff Energy Awareness Campaign being led by the Office of Public Works. This campaign, which will begin in the Department this month, aims to achieve a minimum of 15% reduction in total annual carbon dioxide emissions through an intensive staff energy...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (6 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which represent a measurable framework for development up to the year 2015, are at the heart of Ireland's development cooperation programme as set out in the 2006 White Paper on Irish Aid. They inform both our bilateral work in Programme Countries and our support for and dialogue with multilateral development bodies. Irish Aid's focus on...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (6 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: My Department has not devolved responsibilities or functions to any State or statutory agency.

Seanad: Cluster Munitions: Motion (6 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I thank Senator Boyle for allowing me to speak at this point. I also thank Senator Norris for his comments.

Seanad: Cluster Munitions: Motion (6 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I was somewhat bemused by the Senator's remarks in that respect. In any event, I was pleased to be asked to consider an all-party motion, on the basis of which all of us should unite to condemn a horrible practice by other states. I value the commitment of the Seanad and all parties to combating the scourge of these weapons. I welcome support for the role the Government has played in...

Seanad: Cluster Munitions: Motion (6 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: There are. We are talking about ensuring that from now on, and particularly in the context of any future legislation, there will be a ban on the investment by our pension reserve funds in any companies that manufacture cluster munitions.

Seanad: Cluster Munitions: Motion (6 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: That is an issue for the independent National Pensions Reserve Fund. It has signed up to ethical guidelines in that respect but when it was pointed out that there are reports that some funds have been invested in cluster munitions, it is in agreement with Government policy, which is enunciated in the programme for Government and I have indicated clearly to it that it is the desire of...

Seanad: Cluster Munitions: Motion (6 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: ——to ensure they are given cover in that respect. The Government is determined to achieve the strongest possible prohibition on cluster munitions and to make a meaningful difference to the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable civilians around the world who have suffered from their use. I have made clear my personal and long-standing engagement on this issue. I have been active on this...

Foreign Conflicts. (11 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am extremely concerned about the appalling levels of violence in Israel and the occupied territories in recent weeks. The Middle East peace process is now at a point of great difficulty. I welcome the significant reduction in violence in recent days and hope all parties will seize this opportunity to restore momentum and credibility to the political process. EU Foreign Ministers focused...

Foreign Conflicts. (11 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The proposed expansion of settlement building in the occupied territories is against the terms of the road map and, in our view, illegal under international law. There is a broad view across the European Union, shared by a number of member states, that to speak with Hamas which has as its principal aim the destruction of the state of Israel and similarly with organisations in our own history...

Foreign Conflicts. (11 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: This matter is under constant discussion at EU level. Pressure is being put on Israel to comply with the commitments made in the road map. Equally, it is important that we engage, as the Deputy mentioned in his earlier supplementary question, with moderate Arab states. Egypt, represented by General Suleiman, has been adept in recent times at achieving discussions with the various sides....