Results 381-400 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: On 17 January last I met the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. Paul Murphy, at Iveagh House. This meeting was the first with a member of the British Government since the PSNI Chief Constable, Sir Hugh Orde, made public his assessment that the IRA was responsible for the December raid on the Northern Bank. Clearly, this assessment has very serious repercussions for the peace...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government has regular contact with the Government of Cyprus, which has been a partner in the EU since 1 May 2004. I have the opportunity to review developments with Foreign Minister George Iacovou at the monthly meetings of the General Affairs and External Relations Council. The Taoiseach and I attended the European Council in Brussels on 16 and 17 December 2004, at which the main...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government has decided to complete our network of resident missions in all of the EU member states and also to establish missions in the countries, which will accede in 2007. We are, in this context, planning to open embassies in Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Romania as well as a resident mission in Malta, later this year. We expect that these missions will play an important role in...

Written Answers — Irish Emigrants: Irish Emigrants (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: While we have no clear figure for the number of Irish people in Britain who may find it difficult to support themselves, officials of the embassy in London and the Irish abroad unit of my Department remain in close contact with the voluntary agencies which assist emigrants who find themselves disadvantaged. I met many of the people who work in this field at a recent conference for emigrant...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The political and humanitarian situation in Sudan, particularly the Darfur region, remains a matter of the deepest concern for Ireland and the Government continues to use all avenues open to it to urge action in addressing the humanitarian, security and political challenges which exist there. During 2004, Ireland provided €6 million in humanitarian support to Darfur and we plan to provide...

Written Answers — Reunification of Cyprus: Reunification of Cyprus (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Republic of Cyprus has been a member state of the European Union since 1 May 2004. In the absence of a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, the application of the laws and regulations of the EU to the northern part of the island is suspended. Following the referendums in Cyprus on 24 April 2004 on the settlement plan presented by the UN Secretary General, the General Affairs...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of and have been closely following the case of Mr. Roy Bennett, the Movement for Democratic Change, MDC, opposition Member of Parliament, who was sentenced by the Zimbabwean Parliament last October to 12 months' imprisonment with labour. A number of aspects of the case give rise to concern, including the apparently arbitrary procedures employed in Mr. Bennett's trial and conviction...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Article 29.5.1° of the Constitution requires that every international agreement to which the State becomes a party shall be laid before Dáil Éireann. In accordance with this requirement it has long been the practice of my Department to arrange for copies of each international agreement, including any extension, prolongation or amendment of an international agreement, to be sent to the...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of various press reports claiming that the aircraft cited in the reports mentioned by the Deputy was used in December 2001 by US authorities for the transportation of Al-Qaeda suspects from Sweden to Egypt. I understand, however, that the articles do not allege that any stops were made in Shannon on that particular occasion or offer any proof that prisoners have been transported...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of the incident to which the Deputy refers. Although no specific representations were made in respect of this incident, the Israeli authorities were aware of the concerns of the international community concerning the facilitation of the election campaign. The EU's election observation mission has concluded that the conduct of the election was generally satisfactory, a judgment with...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 465 and 467 together. The holding of elections for a transitional national assembly is the next critical step in the process for the political reconstruction of Iraq laid down in UN Security Council Resolution 1546, which is the basis for the political process in Iraq. The resolution also specifies 31 January as the latest date by which these elections should...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has, on a number of occasions, made known its concerns to the US Government regarding the treatment and status of the detainees held at Guantanamo Bay. I reiterated these concerns at a meeting with the US Ambassador to Ireland in December 2004. The United States is well aware of the Government's view that those detained at Guantanamo Bay should be...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland contributed six observers to the European Union's election observation mission for the Palestinian presidential elections. The mission confirmed that the Palestinian presidential elections proceeded in a satisfactory manner given the difficult circumstances. The European Union welcomed the considerable turnout of voters at the first presidential elections since 1996 and noted that by...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland has consistently emphasised its commitment to supporting international efforts to bring about a lasting peace in which two states, Israel and Palestine, can live side by side in peace and co-operation. This position is well understood by all parties and is conveyed in the Government's regular contacts with the Israeli government. I set this position out during my most recent...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of the tragic incident to which the Deputy refers. No specific representations were made to the Israeli authorities about this particular incident, which forms part of a pattern of killings of both Palestinians and Israelis. The Israeli authorities are aware of the Government's views on the use of military force in the occupied Palestinian territories. The Government, in common...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: No meeting has been scheduled as yet between President Abbas and any member of the Government. The Taoiseach telephoned President Abbas to congratulate him on his election victory shortly after the result was formally announced and the Government will maintain contact with President Abbas in the weeks to come. It is my intention to visit the region in the near future and I hope to meet...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: It is my understanding that the nomination of Alberto R. Gonzales, the White House counsel, to be Attorney General of the United States is still being debated in the US Congress. It would not be appropriate for me to express an opinion on nominations to positions within the US administration and I have no intention of doing so. The United States is well aware of the Government's concerns...

Written Answers — Civil Crisis Management Force: Civil Crisis Management Force (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The European Union has been working in recent years to develop the Union's civilian capabilities to respond to crisis situations, both in respect of natural disasters such as the Asian tsunami and in respect of conflict and post-conflict scenarios. The European Commission has submitted no formal proposal concerning an international crisis management force. However, as part of ongoing...

Written Answers — Irish Immigration Centres: Irish Immigration Centres (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am acutely aware of the concerns expressed, including at the recent annual conference of the National Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers in the United States, regarding the well-being of some Irish emigrants living in the United States. The Irish immigration centres, which are located across the United States, form an integral part of their local Irish community. They provide much...

Written Answers — Humanitarian Aid: Humanitarian Aid (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: On my recent visit to tsunami-affected countries, I visited the province of Aceh on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. The scale of the destruction in the city of Banda Aceh, which I personally witnessed, is truly appalling. The loss of life and destruction of property are almost beyond words. There is a clear and acute need for ongoing international assistance for the emergency and for...