Results 6,661-6,680 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

International Crises. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: The UN declaration on the principles of international election observation and the code of conduct of observers indicates an international election observation mission should only be organised when basic standards have been met, including that the host country issues an invitation or otherwise indicates willingness to accept such missions. There is a weakness in this.

International Crises. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: The UN principle is that the observation mission is not imposed. I was an observer at one election but it is practically impossible for external observers to be present without agreement and support from the host government. This is the tragedy of the Zimbabwean scenario. That is why SADC should do good work. Given the tragic relationship between Europe and the African Continent,...

International Crises. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: The Deputy, as usual, has broadened the debate in a positive way. I agree the lack of proper governance is one of the tragedies in Africa. Unfortunately, the Continent is beset by corruption, tribalism and a lack of functioning institutions. Those dreadful conditions are interrelated and that, tragically, has been the case for the past 50 years. Colonial powers left an appalling legacy...

International Crises. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: International observers were present in Wicklow to keep an eye on the Deputy and me last year during the election campaign.

International Crises. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: If we insist on observation missions elsewhere, we should accept observers. The situation is not entirely bleak. President Mwanawasa of Zambia displayed leadership on the issue of arms, which was a positive step forward. Previously that was not there. However, as both Deputies said, it would be very welcome if the neighbouring countries strengthened their activities. This issue also...

Human Rights Issues. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 8, 9, 29, 35, 44, 46 and 51 together. The Government remains deeply concerned by the situation in Tibet. I have already outlined in my earlier answer the Government's stance on Tibet, which the Minister, through statements and through the Department's ongoing contacts with the Chinese authorities, has sought to address. Regarding the opening ceremony of...

Human Rights Issues. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: The Deputy is correct that it would be very helpful to the entire international community. I visited China recently and I know the extraordinary importance which the ordinary Chinese, let alone the Chinese official and government agencies, attach to the Beijing Olympic Games and to the Olympic events taking place in other parts of China. There is a real excitement on the streets and it is a...

Human Rights Issues. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: I agree with the Deputy that dialogue must move beyond the pro forma. I also agree that reports of what is or is not happening in Tibet are by their nature, because there is no international observance, ones in which one cannot place much credibility. This is a tragedy and it is not in China's interest that this should continue to be the case. As the Deputy said, there were disputes as to...

Human Rights Issues. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: I take all the points the Deputy makes. With regard to the General Affairs and External Relations Council, as the Deputy knows, I was engaged on the Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill in this House and did not attend. A wide-ranging discussion always takes place on the issues of the moment and I have no doubt that was done. I agree that while individual hand-wringing may make...

United Nations Reform. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: The UN World Summit held in September 2005 agreed a package of UN reforms which, while not as complete as might have been hoped, represented an important advance. My colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, contributed to the summit outcome in his role as one of the five special envoys appointed by former Secretary General Annan to support his recommendations for change aimed at...

United Nations Reform. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: I agree with the general point the Deputy makes. I have taken a personal interest in the United Nations over many years and there can be no doubt whatsoever that if there was ever a body that needed reform, the UN is it. I also tend to agree with the Deputy on the issue of appointments. The permanent members have a disproportionate influence. I well remember that in 1978, when I was a...

United Nations Reform. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: Deputy Higgins above all does not want to damage, nor do I, the only hope the world has. Unfortunately, the lack of reform of the United Nations feeds into a particular scepticism in the United States about an institution in which resides so much hope. I will return to the Deputy on other specific points in writing.

Seanad: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: It is a French word.

Seanad: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: I was absorbed in my notes and from looking over some of the comments. I congratulate Senators on what I believe was one of the most calm, focused and best debates I have ever heard in any House on this treaty or any other. That is in no sense a patronising comment. If there was ever a reason to retain a good and strong Seanad Éireann, it was reflected in the debate. I will not have time...

Seanad: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: ——in either House.

Seanad: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: I am glad Senator Doherty asked the question because I provoked it. The Senator should check the record of the debate, particularly the debate on Committee Stage. One of the Senator's party colleagues took more time than any other Member to repeat the same things time and again in a classic filibuster. To suggest that the debate was somehow truncated when 24 hours were allocated——

Seanad: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: I have said it was, after one of the Senator's party colleagues decided to continue to talk through——

Seanad: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: I did not interrupt the Senator. He asked a question and it is common courtesy to allow a person to reply to a question. I respect the Senator's right to ask a question; he should respect my right to reply to it. I wished to make the point, not to be aggressive or to increase the Senator's blood pressure, that there has been a lengthy debate. In both Houses, too, we have seen a huge...

Seanad: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Committee Stage. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: I thank Senator Alex White. He is correct. Deputy Costello and I had a lengthy discussion on this matter in the other House and we also exchanged correspondence. I understand the objective the Senator wishes to achieve. However, I believe when he hears the counterarguments he will probably take the same course of action as Deputy Costello did. The treaty clearly strengthens the role of...

Seanad: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Committee Stage. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: I thank the Senator. I share his enthusiasm for the new role to be given to parliaments. There was a wonderful debate on this at the Joint Committee on European Scrutiny earlier this week. I am probably the most enthusiastic Member of the House about this because I believe there is something revolutionary about this treaty. It will drag the legislative process into national parliaments,...