Results 3,901-3,920 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (1 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am fully committed to the enactment of comprehensive legislation on cluster munitions as soon as possible following the outcome of the Dublin Diplomatic Conference on Cluster Munitions, which is to be held later this month. The intention will be to allow for the earliest possible ratification by Ireland of the Convention which is to be finalised at the Conference, and which is expected to...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (1 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: There has been no leaking of correspondence from my Department in relation to preparations for the referendum on the Reform Treaty. The press reports concerning allegedly leaked correspondence appear to relate to communications between a resident Embassy in Ireland and its own Foreign Ministry. It would not be appropriate for the Government to comment on such matters.

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (1 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland's position on the Kosovo final status issue, along with our partners in the EU, has been that a final settlement for Kosovo must provide for a multi-ethnic, secure and democratic Kosovo, consistent with EU values and standards and contributing to the stability of the region. The EU has consistently highlighted the protection of minorities, and the right to return of refugees and...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (1 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The EU military mission to Chad and the Central African Republic, EUFOR TCHAD/RCA, has faced a number of challenges including force generation and logistics, as well as the insecurity caused by rebel movements in Chad earlier this year. The mission suffered the tragic loss of a French soldier in March. However, very substantial progress has now been made in deploying the force and Initial...

Written Answers — EU Policies: EU Policies (1 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland supports the competitiveness and cohesion policies, which are key priorities for the European Union. These priorities are reflected in the Union's Lisbon Strategy, which aims to make Europe a more competitive and knowledge-driven economy, and in the EU's budgetary framework, which provides significant financial resources for the implementation of competitiveness and cohesion policies....

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (1 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I welcome the holding of Constituent Assembly elections in Nepal on 10 April 2008. It was an important landmark in the country's peace process, which began when the Government and the Maoists signed a peace accord in November 2006. The EU mounted an Observation Mission to these elections, in which Ireland participated. Due to the complexities of the electoral process and the unique...

Written Answers — Córas Aistriúcháin: Córas Aistriúcháin (1 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Bronnadh stádas mar theanga oifigiúil agus oibre an AE ar an nGaeilge ar 1 Eanáir 2007. Sainmhíníonn Rialachán 920/2005 na socraithe a bhaineann leis an nGaeilge mar theanga oifigiúil. Ciallaíonn an stádas a baineadh amach go gcaithfidh gach institiúid san AE, an Pharlaimint san áireamh, gach rialachán a ghlacfaidh an Chomhairle agus Parlaimint na hEorpa leo i gcompháirt a...

Written Answers — EU Policies: EU Policies (1 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: In recent years and particularly since the 2004 enlargement, the EU has placed increased emphasis on building up relations with Russia and other eastern neighbours. The EU-Russia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), which came into force in December 1997 for an initial ten year period, has been "rolled over" pending a new agreement, negotiations on which are expected to begin...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (1 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Government shares the genuine and broadly held desire across the European Union for improved relations with Iran. The EU and Iran share an interest in a stable, prosperous and peaceful Middle East. I believe there are no unbridgeable divides between our interests and those of the Iranian people. However, it has been clear for some years that there are a number of broad areas in which...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (1 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I remain deeply concerned about the situation in Afghanistan. There are very clear concerns regarding security, human rights, governance and rule of law issues, as well as narcotics. The security situation remains a continuous cause of concern. While the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has enjoyed significant military successes over the past number of months, insurgency-related...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (1 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland closely monitors developments in the human rights situation throughout the world and, where the situation warrants, we make known our concerns to the governments in question, bilaterally, through the EU, or through action at the UN General Assembly or the UN Human Rights Council. Ireland also supports the work of the International Criminal Court, which marks a real effort to end...

Written Answers — Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention (1 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions 106 and 107 together. One of the key objectives of the EU is to offer its citizens an area of freedom, security and justice without internal frontiers, in which the free movement of persons is ensured in conjunction with appropriate measures with respect to inter alia the prevention and combating of crime. The provisions of the Reform Treaty with regard to the Area...

Written Answers — Undocumented Irish: Undocumented Irish (1 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Government continues to attach the highest importance to resolving the plight of our undocumented citizens in the United States. The Taoiseach emphasised this commitment during his address to the US Congress yesterday. I am also having a series of meetings on the issue with key Congressional figures and with the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform in Washington this week. Following the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (1 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: It is not the practice of the Government to classify countries in the manner suggested by the Deputy. However, it is clear that hunger, conflict and human rights abuses are prevalent in too many parts of the world and that they are frequently linked. We recognise the essential interconnections between collective security, development, and human rights and these areas are central to our...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (1 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The December 2007 European Council reaffirmed that the future of the Western Balkans lies within the European Union and the countries of the region (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia) continue to feature on the agenda of the General Affairs and External Relations Council. On 18 February last, EU Foreign Ministers...

Nomination of Taoiseach (7 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: We listened to your raiméis.

Nomination of Taoiseach (7 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Deputies opposite should show a bit of respect.

Allocation of Time: Motion (7 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Wishful thinking.

Order of Business (8 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy wishes to speak of covert surveillance. That is a good one.

Management Companies (Housing Developments): Motion (8 May 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: recognises the growth of the number of people living in apartments and mixed developments in recent years; acknowledges that multi-unit apartments and mixed developments will continue to be a feature of residential provision in Ireland; notes the information needs of current and prospective...