Results 421-440 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

European Council Meetings: Statements. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The money is available in the Estimates immediately to open the missions in question. Work is ongoing in that respect and the Deputy may have seen recent advertisements for new staff. The Department of Finance has agreed to the provision of staff for new embassies and we are more than happy with the number of personnel being made available. I will follow the example of successive Governments...

European Council Meetings: Statements. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The answer to the second question is simply "No". The matter was made quite clear in the recent amendment to the constitution on common defence. As with its predecessors, the Government is not adopting a path to a strong military dimension with nuclear capability. On the attitude of Mr. Sharon, we must accept that the matter is extremely difficult. It would have been solved years ago if it...

European Council Meetings: Statements. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: While I was not in office prior to the accession of countries like Poland, my honest impression since I began to attend General Affairs and External Relations Council meetings has been that there is unanimity on EU moves and the conclusions which flow from the Councils on the Middle East peace process. The basis for the above is the roadmap, a two-state solution and encouraging the USA to use...

European Council Meetings: Statements. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am concerned that there could be difficulties regarding the communications of these documents but there is time. I assure the Deputy there will be a significant campaign. When the Referendum Commission is appointed, it will have the job of explaining the text in significant detail. The documentation issued by the Government in the latter months of last year in this regard was the first...

European Council Meetings: Statements. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: There is no problem discussing EU issues in the House. It is a matter of time and it is up to the Whips to decide. The Government has not made a decision on a date for the referendum. Work is ongoing regarding the wording that may be put. Following Question Time, I will attend a meeting on that issue. We will then negotiate with political parties, particularly those which are pro-treaty, to...

European Council Meetings: Statements. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I cannot say. No discussion will take place at Cabinet until work is done in this regard.

European Council Meetings: Statements. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: There was no discussion at the Council meeting about the co-ordination of the ratification of referenda. Each country is conscious of and takes account of what others are doing but each member state must decide when it will embark on the process, whether that is through parliamentary ratification or by referendum.

European Council Meetings: Statements. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: That is a hypothetical question.

European Council Meetings: Statements. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The issue of the Chinese arms embargo has been raised time and time again in the House, at the foreign affairs committee and by the public. It is on the table at EU level on the basis that a number of member states have a difficulty with the lifting of the embargo because of human rights issues in China. Irish representatives articulate the view of the Oireachtas regarding our position.

European Council Meetings: Statements. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: We do not believe an arms embargo in this day and age, given how good our relations are with China, is an instrument to do business with or to hold as a bargaining chip in regard to other matters about which we might have difficulties.

European Council Meetings: Statements. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The commissioner raised this issue at the meeting and there will be discussions between now and 17 March in this respect. However, our view is the discussions with Croatia should take place on 17 March and should continue thereafter. The handing over of Gotovina is a vexed issue and the Croatian Government is doing all it can to ensure he is brought to justice. It is a matter of concern to...

US Military Intervention. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: There is widespread international concern about Iran's development of its nuclear programme, in particular its uranium enrichment component, and its compliance with its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. This concern is the subject of regular consultations between the European Union and the United States. Based on these consultations, it is my understanding that the US...

US Military Intervention. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: As I said in my reply, discussions at EU level between the UK, France, Germany and the Iranian authorities have been extremely successful. I will not repeat that reply which outlines how far we have come at this time. Both Prime Minister Mr. Blair and Foreign Secretary Mr. Straw had recent contacts with the US authorities in this respect and they stated categorically that they are not aware...

US Military Intervention. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Part of my discussions with Condoleezza Rice will revolve around the Middle East and the Iranian situation. As far as the European Union and I are concerned there is no twin-track approach on this. Discussions are ongoing with the Iranian authorities and they are bearing fruit. All those who are involved, both the US and the Israeli authorities appear to be happy with the fact that discussion...

Middle East Peace Process. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I have not yet had the opportunity to speak directly to President Mahmoud Abbas. The Taoiseach telephoned President Abbas to congratulate him on his success in the elections and assured him of Ireland's continuing support for efforts to bring an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This contact also gave an opportunity for the Taoiseach to re-emphasise Ireland's consistent concern for the...

Middle East Peace Process. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: We are aware of the incident and have been in contact with the Israeli authorities through our embassy. The portents have been good regarding last week's contacts between the Israelis and Palestinians. Public statements from all parties are encouraging. Some of the moves, apart from the incident described by the Deputy, are positive. We are under no illusion that the process could be derailed...

Overseas Missions. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The battlegroups-rapid response elements concept is one that has been under development in the European Union for some time. From the outset of the establishment of the European Security and Defence Policy in 1999, it has been envisaged that, to carry out the full range of so-called Petersberg tasks, the EU's crisis management capabilities would need to include rapid response elements,...

Overseas Missions. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I must say as a preamble, I was intrigued by the discussion that took place this morning at the European Council meeting. On the one hand, the Deputy appears entirely wedded to the triple lock while, on the other, his potential rainbow coalition partner is totally at variance with this view. I am not sure about the Labour Party.

Overseas Missions. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I would be very interested to hear about the negotiations on a Mullingar accord or a Dublin 4 accord.

Overseas Missions. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am not asking questions; I am just making a point. I am entitled to make a point. It is a very interesting point, something the Deputy should articulate at some stage. While Deputy Kenny said recently that it is not the time to air the policies of the alternative Government, I would be intrigued to hear the Deputy's views on that issue.