Results 41-60 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (18 May 2004)

Brian Cowen: The case raised by the Deputy relates to five Cuban citizens who were convicted in the US in December 2001 on charges ranging from espionage to first degree murder, and whose appeal commenced in March of this year. As I have previously informed the Deputy, the Government has no standing in this matter which is a bilateral consular question between the Cuban and US authorities.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (18 May 2004)

Brian Cowen: The Government has publicly and strongly condemned the mistreatment and abuse of prisoners in Iraq by US and UK forces. We made our concerns known directly to the US and UK authorities when the allegations first came to light. Yesterday, the EU Council of Ministers, acting on the initiative of the Irish Presidency, adopted the following conclusions. The Council expressed its abhorrence at...

Written Answers — National Identity Card: National Identity Card (18 May 2004)

Brian Cowen: The Embassy of Ireland, London, met the British authorities at official level on 20 November 2003 and again on 10 May 2004 to discuss the introduction of national identity cards in the UK. I understand that assurances have been provided by the British Government that the principles of freedom of movement throughout the common travel area covering the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Ireland...

Written Answers — Common Foreign and Security Policy: Common Foreign and Security Policy (18 May 2004)

Brian Cowen: The Irish Government's position on the US embargo has been made very clear over the years by our consistent vote against it, together with our EU partners, in the UN General Assembly, most recently on 4 November 2003. In bilateral contacts with the US administration, we have never left them in any doubt regarding our strong opposition to the embargo. It is our belief that the effect of the...

Written Answers — Colombia Three: Colombia Three (25 May 2004)

Brian Cowen: Since the judge's decision in the case was announced on 26 April, officials from our Embassy in Mexico, which is also accredited to Colombia, have been in close contact with the Colombian authorities, as well as with the Dutch ambassador in Bogota, who is representing our interests, and the Irish honorary consul in Bogota, and have reported back to me on a regular basis. The present position...

Written Answers — Fógraíocht Ranna: Fógraíocht Ranna (25 May 2004)

Brian Cowen: Ba mhaith liom Ceisteanna Uimh. 135, 136 agus 137 a ghlacadh le chéile. Braitheann rogha an mheáin fhógraíochta a úsáideann an Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha ar mhórán rudaí ina bhfuil comhthéacs, cuspóir, agus oiriúnacht an mheáin san áireamh. Chuir an Roinn fógraí san dá nuachtán liostaithe ag an dTeachta i rith an dá mhí déag deireannach. Tá sé ar intinn againn leanúint...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (25 May 2004)

Brian Cowen: Over the course of the Irish Presidency, the EU has been to the forefront of the international community in trying to address the appalling humanitarian and human rights situation in Darfur. At its meetings in April and May, the General Affairs and External Relations Council declared its serious concern at the humanitarian and human rights violations in Darfur and called on the Government of...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (25 May 2004)

Brian Cowen: I made clear my deep concern over Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip in the statements which I issued on 13, 14 and 19 May. These acts have attracted widespread international condemnation, including from the Secretary General of the United Nations. The Israeli actions in Gaza were also the subject of United Nations Security Resolution 1544, adopted on 19 May. The question of action by the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (25 May 2004)

Brian Cowen: Discussions on the human rights situation in China, and the situation in Tibet have been ongoing at every level during our EU Presidency. The Government has consistently called on the Chinese authorities to respect fully the rights of the Tibetan people, including prisoners. We will continue to address our ongoing concerns regarding the protection of human rights in Tibet along with the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (1 Jun 2004)

Brian Cowen: Over the course of the Irish Presidency, the EU has been to the forefront of the international community in trying to address the appalling humanitarian and human rights situation in Darfur. At its meetings in April and May, the General Affairs and External Relations Council declared its serious concern at the humanitarian and human rights violations in Darfur and called on the Government of...

Written Answers — Illegal Immigrants: Illegal Immigrants (1 Jun 2004)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy is aware, President Bush announced on 7 January 2004 a proposal to introduce a new form of temporary work permit which would be available to both undocumented foreign nationals currently in the United States and those seeking to enter with a job already arranged. Shortly afterwards, Senator Tom Daschle and Senator Chuck Hagel announced a bipartisan Bill for immigration reform...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (1 Jun 2004)

Brian Cowen: The information sought cannot be obtained from the existing database of passport holders which does not record the basis on which entitlement to Irish citizenship is claimed by passport applicants. Compiling the information sought from paper records manually could not be done without the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of time and resources. The new automated passport issuing system,...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (1 Jun 2004)

Brian Cowen: In the case of persons who apply for citizenship through naturalisation, it is the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform who makes the decision in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts. Once a person has acquired a certificate of naturalisation signed on behalf of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, he or she is treated...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (1 Jun 2004)

Brian Cowen: The following are the figures sought by the Deputy: Year 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Total number of passports issued 430,662 463,055 468,625 536,823 552,047 First-time passport applicants [estimate] 185,000 204,000 202,000 225,000 232,000 The Passport Office records system contains details of first time applicants resident in Ireland. However, similar information is not...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (1 Jun 2004)

Brian Cowen: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. Year 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Total 430,662 463,055 468,625 536,823 552,047

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (1 Jun 2004)

Brian Cowen: The information requested is not available as parents of an Irish born child are not required to indicate their country of citizenship on the passport application form.

Written Answers — Departmental Audits: Departmental Audits (1 Jun 2004)

Brian Cowen: Twenty-eight internal audit reports have been completed within my Department since January 2001. The title of each completed audit report is detailed on the following appendix. The internal audit function of the Department consists of a separate unit for each of the two Votes, namely Vote 28, Foreign Affairs, and Vote 29, International Co-operation. Appendix Audit Annually 3 Ireland...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (1 Jun 2004)

Brian Cowen: The position of the Government on this issue was set out comprehensively by the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, in his statement to the Dáil of 20 May 2004 and in his statement on the situation in the Middle East to the Seanad on 26 May 2004.

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (1 Jun 2004)

Brian Cowen: The position of the Government on Iraq was set out comprehensively by the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, in his statement to the Dáil of 20 May 2004 and in his statement on the situation in the Middle East to the Seanad on 26 May 2004.

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (1 Jun 2004)

Brian Cowen: Ireland became a party to the statute of the International Court of Justice upon joining the United Nations in 1955, an act fully consistent with Ireland's commitment, under Article 29.2 of the Constitution, to the peaceful settlement of international disputes. In view of the possible implications of doing so at the time, Ireland did not then make a declaration under Article 36(2) of the...