Results 621-640 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: In recent years, there have been significant advances in international thinking and action on indigenous issues and rights. The first International Decade of the World's Indigenous People took place from 1 January 1995 to 31 December 2004. The decade led to several positive developments, such as the establishment of a permanent forum on indigenous issues, and the appointment, in 2001, of a...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: While Liberia has made remarkable progress since the comprehensive peace agreement of August 2003, it still faces the major challenges of a successful return to democracy and sustaining the peace process. Liberia is currently administered by a transitional government, under the chairmanship of Mr. Gyude Bryant, until parliamentary and presidential elections are held before the end of 2005....

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 97 together. The security situation in Iraq has continued to be a source of great concern. Violent attacks in Iraq increased in intensity in the lead-up to the elections on 30 January, and have continued since. In this regard, there seems to have been a change in focus, with attacks now directed more at Iraqi officials, security forces and ordinary...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 152 of 2 February 2005, and to previous replies given on this matter. The matter has been raised again in recent days in discussions with the US authorities. They have again confirmed that they do not use Irish airports for this purpose and that they would not seek to use Irish airports for prisoner transit without seeking the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 95, 107, 119 and 256 together. The parliamentary elections scheduled to take place in Zimbabwe on 31 March will represent an important test in determining the willingness of the Zimbabwean Government to effect genuine political reforms and improve the situation in that country as regards democracy, good governance and respect for human rights. Ireland and our...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I have issued a statement condemning in the strongest terms the bomb attack in Tel Aviv last weekend, in which five people were killed. I also expressed my sympathies to those injured in the blast and to the families of those who died or were injured. Such violence is particularly distressing at a time when the peace process is beginning to give rise to renewed hope for the people of the...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 98, 112, 139, 142 and 266 together. The political, human rights and humanitarian situation in the Darfur region of Sudan 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 urgent humanitarian, security and political challenges which exist there. I specifically raised the...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 152 together. Both the Taoiseach and I have expressed our shock at the murder of former Prime Minister Hariri, and condemned the appalling attack which took his life and those of so many other people. Mr. Hariri was Prime Minister of Lebanon for a total period of ten years. He played a critical role in bringing Lebanon forward from the era of the...

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

Dermot Ahern: Together with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. Paul Murphy MP, I co-chaired a meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in Dublin on 2 March. I was accompanied at the meeting by my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell. The Secretary of State was accompanied by Mr. John Spellar MP and Mr. Ian Pearson MP, Ministers of...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland and its EU partners have continuing concerns about the general human rights situation in Syria, including the position of the Kurdish minority. We continue to avail of all appropriate opportunities to engage with the Syrian authorities about these concerns and to raise specific issues where this appears to be appropriate. The Syrian authorities are well aware of the EU's concerns...

Written Answers — Detention of Irish Citizens: Detention of Irish Citizens (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The position is that all foreign citizens, regardless of nationality, detained in the US in respect of immigration violations, are likely to be held for up to eight weeks while the deportation process is completed. The US Department of Homeland Security has indicated that this timeframe arises from the logistical and administrative procedures involved in deporting an individual from the US,...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of the document to which the Deputy refers, in which the central committee of the World Council of Churches "reminds churches with investment funds that they have an opportunity to use those funds responsibly in support of peaceful solutions to conflict" and refers to the possibility of selective divestment from multinational corporations involved with practices in breach of...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: A rebellion against the monarchy of Nepal, led by the extreme left wing Nepal Communist Party — Maoists — has been ongoing since 1996. The insurgency has, to date, claimed approximately 10,000 lives. The rebels are fighting to abolish the constitutional monarchy and establish a socialist state in the Himalayan kingdom. It is estimated that more than 40% of the country is now under Maoist...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Africa is a continent beset by often seemingly insurmountable problems such as conflict, debt, poverty, HIV/AIDS and the abuse of human rights. However, the African Union represents an important strategic partner for the European Union and one with whom ever closer relations are being forged in the interests of promoting peace, security, democracy and development on the African continent. The...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I had hoped to meet President Abbas at the General Affairs and External Relations Council last month but, unfortunately, pressure of commitments in the region prevented him from taking up the Council's invitation to attend. I intend to visit the Middle East region in the near future. I hope to have an opportunity to meet President Abbas then. We are, of course, in regular and ongoing contact...

Written Answers — National Honours System: National Honours System (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: One of the recommendations of the task force on policy towards emigrants was that an awards scheme be established to recognise the service of Irish persons abroad. I am aware of the invaluable contribution which Irish people who have emigrated have made and continue to make to developments in their adopted countries. On every appropriate occasion, I express appreciation and pay a warm tribute...

Written Answers — Natural Disasters: Natural Disasters (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: There are two confirmed Irish casualties. There are two other Irish citizens who, regrettably, are also believed to have lost their lives. My Department remains actively involved in efforts to locate their remains in Thailand.

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Over the coming six months, I will attend a number of EU related meetings, including meetings of the General Affairs and External Relations Council, GAERC. Other overseas engagements are under consideration and decisions on these will be taken in due course. In addition, I will also travel to Boston and Washington for St. Patrick's Day events.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware that the Deputy has taken a strong interest in the history and Irish links of Montserrat and that he was concerned about the humanitarian situation of the islanders after the major volcanic eruption of 1997. The Embassy of Ireland in Washington has advised me that Senator Kennedy, joined by Senators John Kerry and Charles Schumer, has written to President Bush to urge the US...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Uganda's track record in poverty reduction and economic management over the last 18 years stands up favourably to comparison with much of Africa. The country has earned a good reputation in some areas such as press freedom. The decision to move to a multiparty system and the recent registration of some political parties offer the possibility of greater democratic change in future. However,...