Results 6,581-6,600 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Intergovernmental Conference. (3 Jul 2007)

Dick Roche: The last point is important. Given our common legal system, it is important that we consider matters of justice and home affairs very carefully. There is no conclusion to that because the mandate was perfected in recent days. It is an issue we will continue to consider. I do not recall Deputy Ó Snodaigh's intervention on State aids last week. When discussing the opt-in and opt-out we...

Fire Services: Motion (Resumed) (10 Oct 2007)

Dick Roche: With the agreement of the House, I propose to share time with Deputies Behan, Gogarty and Cuffe. There may be a fourth Deputy with whom I will also be sharing time later. I welcome the opportunity to address the motion before the House. As a Member representing the constituency of Wicklow and as a resident of Bray, I can inform the House that the fatal fire on 26 September has had a...

European Union Reform Treaty: Statements (16 Oct 2007)

Dick Roche: It is a pity the previous speaker thought to interpret what is in my mind. I thank all Members for their contributions on this highly important issue. The manner in which the reform treaty is handled will have an extremely important bearing on Ireland's future position within the European Union. Ireland is perceived as a dynamic, progressive and forward-looking nation and the Government...

European Union Reform Treaty: Statements (16 Oct 2007)

Dick Roche: There is a specific Irish and Austrian protocol on this. As to Europe's future prospects, we clearly need a Union that can keep delivering for Europeans, including Irish people, as it has done so impressively over the past decade. The treaty provides the Union with the necessary tools to set about securing the gifts of peace and prosperity for future generations. The reform treaty is the...

Road Safety: Motion (16 Oct 2007)

Dick Roche: I am waiting for the Minister.

Road Safety: Motion (16 Oct 2007)

Dick Roche: If the Deputy wishes to address the question I will be more than pleased to listen to him, as always.

European Council Meetings: Statements (24 Oct 2007)

Dick Roche: I wrote the declaration.

EU Treaties. (8 Nov 2007)

Dick Roche: I am grateful to Deputy Costello for raising this matter because it is important to have a full, frank, open and honest debate on the issue. The reform treaty was agreed by European Heads of State and Government at the informal European Council in Lisbon on 18 and 19 October. It is planned that the treaty will be signed at the European Council in December. Thereafter, the treaty will need...

EU Treaties. (8 Nov 2007)

Dick Roche: I intend to make information available to every Member. This will be a vigorous, frank debate that we must carry to the people. This treaty will free us from the introspection Europe has had for the past six years. It will allow the 27 member states of the European Union to progress and serve all the people of Europe. I hope the debate will be informed and honest and that the Irish people...

Seanad: Road Safety: Statements (14 Nov 2007)

Dick Roche: I apologise on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey, who cannot be in the House. He intended to deliver this speech which I am making on his behalf. This debate gives me the opportunity, on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Dempsey, to update the House on recent developments in road safety policy. In 2006 we saw the second lowest number of road deaths in 40...

Seanad: Road Safety: Statements (14 Nov 2007)

Dick Roche: Senator Donohoe made a very good point about the fact that failures were not noted in the report. I will ensure that the Minister has a note of that.

Foreign Conflicts. (27 Nov 2007)

Dick Roche: The difficult and sensitive issue of Kosovo's future status is the legacy of the Balkan wars of the 1990s. The framework for post-conflict Kosovo was set out in UN Security Council Resolution 1244 which established an interim United Nations civilian administration and authorised an international security presence, Kosovo Force, KFOR. The resolution also provided for a gradual transfer of...

Foreign Conflicts. (27 Nov 2007)

Dick Roche: Regarding the speculation alluded to by the Deputy, agreement will be difficult to reach and if it is not reached, hard choices will have to be made. Ireland is ready to play a full part in efforts to resolve this issue with our European partners and the international community. Since August we have increased our presence on the ground; 270 troops are now attached to KFOR and Ireland has...

Foreign Conflicts. (27 Nov 2007)

Dick Roche: If the European Union sticks together between now and 10 December and makes its expectation clear to the parties in the region, this will be far better than independent speculation. The Government is committed to finding a solution and sees this as a European problem that must be solved by Europeans. The best way for the European Union to make a concrete contribution is to stick together.

Middle East Peace Process. (27 Nov 2007)

Dick Roche: The international meeting taking place in Annapolis today represents a crucial opportunity to restore momentum to the Middle East peace process. The Government and its partners in Europe have strongly supported the preparatory work for the meeting and the political dialogue between Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas. It is important that these discussions now lead to meaningful and...

Middle East Peace Process. (27 Nov 2007)

Dick Roche: We hope that all of the issues mentioned, particularly the rights of the 1.4 million people who are suffering in Gaza, will be dealt with in Annapolis. The reality that has informed the attitude of the EU is somewhat misrepresented by Deputy Higgins, although I recognise that he makes his points with goodwill. In the aftermath of the election, the EU's position is that there can be no twin...

Middle East Peace Process. (27 Nov 2007)

Dick Roche: We in this country have learned something about ballot boxes and armalites. Our general position is that the policy of isolation of Gaza and its people is neither just nor politically sustainable. With regard to the divisions among Palestinians, we are of the view that there is a need for reconciliation between Fatah, Hamas and the other political factions. Reconciliation efforts should be...

Middle East Peace Process. (27 Nov 2007)

Dick Roche: There is an eternal conundrum between violence and politics. I am sure the Deputy accepts the reality that there has been a twin track approach whereby violence and politics were used in tandem.

Middle East Peace Process. (27 Nov 2007)

Dick Roche: Hamas won a clear electoral victory in January 2006 and there is no gainsaying that.

Middle East Peace Process. (27 Nov 2007)

Dick Roche: However, the twin track approach of violence and politics is not a practical way forward. If nothing else can be learned from the history of this island, it is that violence has no place in a final political solution. Dialogue is the way forward.