Results 521-540 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: As stated on many occasions, the Government continues to take concerns about human rights in China very seriously. Human rights issues are a constant point of discussion with the Chinese authorities at national and European Union level. Dialogue on human rights issues is a constant element of our bilateral exchanges. While recognising that respect for human rights in China is not at the level...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representations: Diplomatic Representations (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: While my officials have been examining this case, I do not propose to comment on its particular circumstances. The person concerned has been convicted of contempt of court. My officials have, however, met with representatives of the Bloody Sunday Trust and are aware of their deep concern. I understand that the individual concerned is not currently looking to appeal the conviction.

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representations: Diplomatic Representations (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The incident to which the Deputy refers was initially raised by the Government with the British authorities through the British-Irish intergovernmental secretariat in Belfast in September 2004 at the time the listening device was discovered. I also understand that the leader of the Deputy's party presented the electronic device in question to the British Prime Minister Mr. Blair at the...

Written Answers — Common Foreign and Security Policy: Common Foreign and Security Policy (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: In the context of the European security and defence policy, ESDP, the Union is increasing its ability to contribute to both the civilian and military dimensions of crisis management. There is great value in the comparative advantage of the EU in this area, given the Union's unique range of "soft power" instruments to utilise for conflict prevention, crisis management and peace promotion...

Written Answers — Iraqi Elections: Iraqi Elections (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 97 today.

Written Answers — Illegal Immigrants: Illegal Immigrants (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Immigration controls and procedures are a highly sensitive issue in the United States, particularly since the tragic events of 11 September 2001. We can anticipate a vigorous debate in the US Congress on any measures proposed to regularise the circumstances of undocumented people. The number of Irish people who may be resident in the United States without the appropriate authorisation is...

Written Answers — Common Foreign and Security Policy: Common Foreign and Security Policy (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 243 together. A major challenge for the EU is to ensure that it is able to respond rapidly and flexibly to crisis situations overseas. In this context the Union is taking forward the development of both civilian and military capabilities. The battlegroups-rapid response elements concept has been under development in the European Union for some time....

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Where a person's birth in Ireland has not been registered, there is a late registration procedure where this may be regularised through the General Register Office, Joyce House, 8-11 Lombard Street East, Dublin 2. This will enable the person to acquire a birth certificate which can be used to apply for a passport. In exceptional circumstances, if the person has urgent travel plans and there...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (3 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Irish citizens resident in the State who wish to apply for an Irish passport need to complete an APS 1 application form and have this witnessed and certified by a garda, normally at their local Garda station. Irish citizens resident in Northern Ireland need to complete an APS2 application form and have this witnessed and certified by one of the following: an accountant, bank manager or...

Written Answers — Overseas Properties: Overseas Properties (3 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 119 together. I am aware of the serious concern of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus at the increased levels of activity in the property market in the northern part of the island. The Cypriot authorities have drawn the attention of partners in the EU to their particular concern that much of the property development undertaken in recent years has...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (3 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 120 together. I have read the recent reports referred to by the Deputy, and have raised the matter with the British authorities through the office of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat in Belfast.

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (8 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Violent crime is categorised by the Police Service of Northern Ireland as being one of three separate classes: class 1 relates to offences against the person and includes shootings and assaults; class 2 relates to sexual offences and class 4 relates to robbery. Class 3 relates to burglary and is not categorised as violent crime. As the PSNI provide these statistics on a financial year basis,...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (8 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Under the Government's decentralisation programme, the development co-operation directorate of the Department of Foreign Affairs is scheduled to decentralise to Limerick. This will involve the relocation to Limerick of some 130 posts, most likely during the first quarter of 2007. A decentralisation committee within the Department is planning all aspects of the move in close consultation with...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (9 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The political and humanitarian situation in the Darfur region remains a matter of the deepest concern for Ireland. The Government continues to use all avenues open to it to urge action in addressing the humanitarian, security and political challenges, which exist there. The United Nations and the Security Council has been centrally involved in efforts to address the Darfur crisis. I expressed...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (10 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: On 1 February, I travelled to London and, together with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, met with Prime Minister Blair and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Paul Murphy. The Garda Commissioner, Noel Conroy, and the Chief Constable of the PSNI, Hugh Orde, also participated in part of the discussions and provided the Governments with a security...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (10 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government decided in December 2004 that embassies will be opened in Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Romania and Malta during 2005. On the assumption that all logistical issues can be resolved for the locations, it is expected that these new missions will be opened in the second half of this year.

Written Answers — Consular Assistance: Consular Assistance (10 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The person to whom the Deputy refers is currently in detention in Madrid pending a court hearing to determine if he should be extradited to Algeria. He is charged in that country with belonging to and assisting a terrorist group. It is expected that this court hearing will take place within weeks. Both the public prosecutor and the person concerned will have the opportunity to appeal the...

Written Answers — Anti-Social Behaviour: Anti-Social Behaviour (10 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: As no initiatives for dealing with anti-social behaviour fall within the remit of the Department of Foreign Affairs, no funds or grants are available for this purpose from the Department.

Written Answers — Deportation Orders: Deportation Orders (10 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The person to whom the Deputy refers was arrested on 24 January 2005 in the West Bank and was served with a deportation notice. The embassy in Tel Aviv provided consular assistance to him following his arrest and also discussed his case with his lawyer and contacted the Israeli authorities. It now appears that the person has decided to withdraw the appeal against the deportation order and has...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (15 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government has previously raised the case of Ms Yang Fang with the Chinese authorities through the EU-China human rights dialogue, which is the agreed framework for raising individual human rights cases. The situation of Ms Yang Fang was again raised with the Chinese authorities on 18 January 2005, during the course of the Taoiseach's recent visit to Beijing. The Chinese side reported...