Results 701-720 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Television Broadcast Infrastructure: Television Broadcast Infrastructure (24 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of reports that Eutelsat, a satellite operator headquartered in Paris, has decided not to renew the broadcasting contract of New Tang Dynasty television, which broadcasts to Europe and China. The Government fully supports the right to freedom of expression and to an open media. Given, inter alia, that this is a decision taken by a private company, I do not feel that it would be...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my previous answers to questions relating to discussion of human rights issues during the visit of a Government delegation to China in January. The question of Christians living in China was not specifically raised during the visit. However, the issue of human rights generally was raised both by the Taoiseach in his official discussions with Chinese leaders and by officials.

Written Answers — Departmental Websites: Departmental Websites (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The ambassador referred to on the Department's website as ambassador to Austria was the previous ambassador to that country. This change of personnel was, unfortunately, not incorporated on the website. The discrepancy has now been rectified and further checks are also being made to ensure that the data on the website on missions abroad are fully up to date.

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The tsunami which struck southern Asia on 26 December last, was also felt as far away as the coast of Somalia on the Horn of Africa. I have been deeply concerned by reports that the huge waves which reached Somalia are believed to have stirred up tonnes of nuclear and toxic waste illegally dumped in the war-racked country from the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s. Apart from killing about...

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Since the events of 29 December 2003, my Department has been endeavouring to establish the full circumstances of the ambush which led to Archbishop Michael Courtney's tragic death. My predecessor, the former Minister for Foreign Affairs Deputy Cowen, discussed this issue on a number of occasions with both the President and Foreign Minister of Burundi, most recently on 21 September 2004 when...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy is aware, the period around St. Patrick's Day offers unparalleled opportunities to promote Ireland around the world, particularly in the United States. I travelled to the United States from 11 to 18 March to represent the Government at St. Patrick's Day events in Boston before accompanying the Taoiseach to Washington. In Boston, in addition to meetings with Irish immigration...

Written Answers — Telephone Helplines: Telephone Helplines (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I assure the Deputy that I am committed to providing a quality passport service to the public which includes having telephone inquiries dealt with quickly by friendly, experienced and helpful staff. The Passport Office has 19 staff in its customer care and telephone helpline sections. The office has 15 external lines which are manned between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. A 24-hour recorded...

Written Answers — Biometric Passports: Biometric Passports (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 444 to 446, inclusive, together. Following the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, the United States enacted legislation which includes a requirement that citizens of countries that participate in the visa waiver programme, including Ireland, must present a passport that incorporates biometric identifiers as a condition of entering the United States under...

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: This case continues to be closely monitored by my Department through the Irish Embassy in London. The embassy in London remains in contact with both the person himself and his solicitor. As I indicated in my previous reply to the Deputy, I understand his solicitor is still seeking appropriate grounds on which either to lodge an appeal against conviction or to seek to have the case reopened. I...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Passport Office in Cork is the only section of the Department based outside Dublin, city and county. Under the Government's decentralisation programme, the development co-operation directorate of the Department, currently based in Dublin, is scheduled to decentralise to Limerick. This will involve the relocation to Limerick of some 130 posts and is scheduled to take place during the first...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I can confirm that officials from the Department have raised the case with the British authorities. The British side has responded that the case will be included in the assessment of cases by the review unit which was set up by the Chief Constable recently specifically for that purpose. The review unit's initial assessment will determine if there is sufficient material to proceed to a full...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 452 and 453 together. For the period in question, the Government's development co-operation programme, Development Co-operation Ireland, provided funding for two projects that provide services primarily for men, and boys. Details of these projects are included in Annex A. As part of its overall commitment to poverty reduction and sustainable development,...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The brutal murder of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri on 14 February has been the catalyst for significant ongoing developments in Lebanese politics. The massive public response has been remarkable. I welcome the fact that protests have been peaceful and that restraint has prevailed on all sides. It is to be hoped that this will continue to be the case, and we call on all Lebanese political...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government is in regular and ongoing contact with the Palestinian Authority through diplomatic channels. The Taoiseach telephoned President Mahmoud Abbas to congratulate him on his success in the elections. In the course of this call, he assured President Abbas of Ireland's continuing support for efforts to bring an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I have also written to my own...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: On 13 December last, I outlined to my counterparts at the General Affairs and External Relations Council the reasons for Ireland's proposal that official and working status in the EU be accorded to the Irish language. Regulation No. 1 of 1958 governs the Union's language regime. The unanimous approval of member states is required to amend this regulation. Contacts have been ongoing with...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: None of the boards under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs is a statutory body. Of the non-statutory boards under the aegis of my Department, no fees are paid to chairpersons of the advisory board for Development Co-operation Ireland, the Development Education Advisory Committee or the board of the Ireland-United States Commission for Educational Exchange, the Fulbright...

European Council: Statements. (13 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I thank the Deputy for his questions. I also thank the Deputies who referred to my recent appointment, which is an honour for me and particularly for the country. It is a testimony to the ability of this small nation to punch above its weight on many occasions, something to which Kofi Annan alluded. I will liaise as much as I can with the House regarding the issue and we can return to it....

European Council: Statements. (13 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I assure the Deputy there will be dramatic changes. One must be careful when investing to ensure that one ultimately gets a return. Dramatic changes in the type of technology available can occur within a year or less. A plethora of platforms are available for any part of the country to bring in broadband, and no area should be unable to do so. Personally, I am most proud of the group...

European Council: Statements. (13 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I thank the Deputy for his remarks. There are five envoys, as an additional one was appointed, and our remit is to represent the Secretary General in capitals of the world. A huge amount of work will continue in the General Assembly, the President of which, Jean Ping, has appointed a number of facilitators and permanent representatives to deal with issues at UN-level on the ground in New...

European Council: Statements. (13 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I will answer the Deputy's last question first. There was no discussion as to what will happen if there is a "No" vote. It is wrong to deal with such a hypothesis. It is up to each individual state in its own way, whether by referendum or other process of ratification, to decide that matter for themselves. There is no plan B. If there is a difficulty in that one state does not ratify the...