Results 561-580 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (1 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Irish Embassy in Hungary has responsibility for Irish interests in Kosovo. Where families who have returned to Kosovo wish to renew passports for their children who were born in Ireland, they should contact the Irish Embassy in Budapest which will be happy to assist them. The embassy can provide them with the necessary application forms and any other advice they may seek. The contact...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (1 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Arrangements for attendance at St. Patrick's Day celebrations are not yet fully finalised. However, I am scheduled to represent the Government at events promoting Ireland in Boston before travelling to Washington with the Taoiseach for a number of high level meetings on St. Patrick's Day, including with President Bush. The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Conor...

Written Answers — Overseas Prisoners: Overseas Prisoners (1 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas, ICPO, has not made a formal recommendation to me for the payment of a stipend to Irish citizens held in prison overseas. However, I am aware that it favours such a scheme and that some European countries make such payments to some of their prisoners overseas. My Department provides an annual grant to ICPO to support its services to Irish prisoners...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (1 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Kosovo has been under UN administration since the end of the conflict in June 1999, in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1244. At the request of the Security Council, the UN Secretary General reports at regular intervals on the implementation of the mandate of the UN Interim Administration in Kosovo, UNMIK. His latest report, which was issued on 14 February 2005, covers the...

Written Answers — Colombia Three Case: Colombia Three Case (2 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The current position is that the three men in question each received sentences and fines as part of the appeal decision made by the Colombian courts on 16 December 2004. I understand that the legal process is not yet exhausted and that a possibility exists for a further appeal by the defence. My Department will continue to monitor this case. However, I have no knowledge of the present...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (2 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: More than five years since the end of the conflict in 1999, the unresolved fate of missing persons is a continuing tragedy for many families in Kosovo. This is, above all, a serious humanitarian issue. It is also an obstacle to the reconciliation between communities which is essential for the creation of a democratic, multi-ethnic society in Kosovo. The International Committee of the Red...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (3 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Department has no record of any payment made to the person referred to by the Deputy for consultancy or other work for the period in question.

EU Constitution. (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government has not yet taken a decision on the timing of the referendum on the European constitution. However, preparatory work on the wording of the necessary amendment to the Irish Constitution is well advanced. The intention is that the referendum Bill will be published after Easter. As previously stated, the Government will try to ensure the maximum possible cross-party consensus. The...

EU Constitution. (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I do not accept I am foolish. I suggest the Deputy's party engage with us as regards consultation on the wording, which we would like to have——

EU Constitution. (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: ——in advance. The Deputy's party has been invited. The Government fully accepts the need for complete information on this matter. I guarantee the House that full information will be given. We hope to publish the referendum Bill after Easter, allowing the Referendum Commission to be up and running and giving it sufficient time to disseminate information. On the Deputy's point about keeping...

EU Constitution. (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: This is a sovereign decision by the Irish people. In the context of the EU-wide ratification of this process, we must take into account what other countries are doing. However, this is a decision for the Irish people and they will make the decision based on the information they are given in Ireland and based on the circumstances in this country. I have full confidence in the Irish people that...

EU Constitution. (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I happened to look at the Fine Gael website in which Fine Gael Members extol the virtues of the European constitution. I suggest to the Deputy that he put a few more statements on the website.

EU Constitution. (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I will not accept criticism from the Deputy in respect of this matter. It is important that the Irish people are given full information. All the European member states, including Ireland, have until well into 2006 to make a decision on ratification. Much preparatory work is being carried out on the wording for the referendum to ensure it is right and on delivering full information to the...

Middle East Peace Process. (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government, together with Ireland's partners in the EU, has repeatedly reaffirmed its position that the proposed Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip is to be welcomed so long as it takes place in conformity with the conditions endorsed by the European Council in March 2004. The Council noted five elements which are essential to make a Gaza withdrawal acceptable to the international...

Middle East Peace Process. (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: On a general point, I intend to travel to the Middle East in the not too distant future and will meet with the representatives of the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority. It is also anticipated that I will visit Jordan and Egypt and I will raise all these concerns. This will be a slow process but the indications are fairly favourable and hopeful. The Israelis will move out of...

Middle East Peace Process. (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Again, I make the general point that any withdrawal must take place in co-ordination with the Palestinian authorities. The withdrawal from Tulkarem due next week will take place in consultation with the Palestinian authorities and with their co-operation. Some sections of the wall have been rerouted closer to the 1967 line. While this reduces the negative impact on the Palestinian population...

Passport Applications. (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: My Department is implementing a new passport issuing system. This involves the introduction of a new passport booklet and a complete upgrade of the systems and work processes for handling passport applications. When fully implemented, Ireland will have one of the most advanced and secure passport systems in the world. As part of the development of the new system, it is intended to make...

Passport Applications. (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government has already made a decision to introduce passports containing biometric information. The reason is to comply with EU regulations and US legislation and ensure that Irish citizens are able to transfer with ease in and out of the United States. Funding has been provided in the Estimate for the introduction of biometrics and we hope to produce biometric passports with finger...

Diplomatic Representation. (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: As I have stated in previous replies, Ireland announced the establishment of diplomatic relations on a non-resident basis with Burma on 13 February 2004. However, the progress anticipated in 2004, most notably the meeting of an open and unhindered national convention and the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, did not materialise. In the circumstances, the Government decided to put on hold the...

Diplomatic Representation. (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I do not accept these were ill-judged decisions. In Burma's case, it was decided on the basis that it was indicated that Aung San Suu Kyi would be released and her party would be allowed to participate in the Burmese national convention. However, this did not happen. This decision was made in the context of Ireland's EU Presidency term. We could not look at it in a bilateral context. We had...