Results 7,241-7,260 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Seanad: Mental Health Services (19 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. It is important to bear in mind that A Vision for Change is a work in progress over a period of seven to ten years. Given the current financial constraints, the maximum reduction in funding for the entire sector has been capped at 1.8%, relatively lower than in other areas. It is a dangerous delusion for anyone in this or the other House to...

Seanad: Mental Health Services (19 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: I should have said that the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, asked me to mention in particular that he regretted he could not be here because he has been detained in the other House. Unfortunately, had we known about the change of time, he might have been able to be here. He is deeply concerned about this matter. I will convey to him the Senator's concern about services in Cork.

Seanad: Air Services (19 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: I fully appreciate the Senator's passion and concern about this matter. I was checking some details in the reply provided by the Department. The Minister for Transport assures me he fully appreciates the concerns raised in regard to the recent the decision that has been made on the PSO route. The decision involved the Government's agreement to support the continuation of a PSO route...

Seanad: Air Services (19 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: Alternatively, they can journey by road where road improvements on the N2 have reduced travel times significantly. In the context of the St. Andrews Agreement leading to the restoration of the Northern Executive in 2007, the Irish Government made a commitment to provide funding of sterling £400 million. This will contribute to a roads investment programme for Northern Ireland which includes...

Seanad: Air Services (19 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: I will pass on the Senator's concerns to the Minister. It may not be correct to suggest the consultations with the BMW regional assembly, IDA Ireland and other authorities I mentioned led directly to this. It was simply a reference to the fact there were consultations with them. It is a harsh reality that the per passenger costs on the route were significant at €111.20. It is a tender...

EU Free Trade Agreements (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: EU relations with Colombia are conducted in the framework of regional relations between the EU and the Andean Community, comprising Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. In 2007, negotiations aimed at concluding a comprehensive association agreement between the EU and the Andean Community were formally launched. Such agreements cover all facets of relations between the EU and these...

EU Free Trade Agreements (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: At the outset, Deputy Higgins made the point that he was not satisfied with the answers he received during his visit. This disturbs me because I am aware that the High Representative would be concerned about that. I will draw that particular aspect of the Deputy's observation to the High Representative's attention. I accept the point made by the Deputy, particularly regarding the human...

EU Free Trade Agreements (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: I do not dispute that for a moment and accept the Deputy's point. Monitoring is carried out through its delegation in Bogota and this is the reason I was disturbed by the Deputy's initial comment. In addition, it must be noted that the European Union has engaged actively both with the Colombian authorities and with the United Nations Human Rights Council on the issue. I will pass on the...

International Fund for Ireland (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: The International Fund for Ireland is an international organisation established by the Irish and British Governments in 1986 to promote economic and social advance and to encourage contact, dialogue and reconciliation between Nationalists and Unionists throughout Northern Ireland. Since 1986, the fund has received international contributions from the United States, the European Union,...

International Fund for Ireland (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: I am aware of the debate in the US. As the Deputy is aware, there are issues regarding the budget in the US Congress. Some on the Republican side take a particular view. There has been no approach from the US authorities on winding up the fund. It may be the view of some in Congress that it should be wound up. I am aware of the article the Deputy mentioned. Some comments were made by a...

International Fund for Ireland (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: I agree. We have had ongoing contact. The US authorities have not given any indication that they will end the fund. The Deputy will be aware that the budget discussions on Capitol Hill will continue until the end of March. Given the announcement made by the Taoiseach today, there will be a significant Irish presence, from whatever side of the House, in place on 17 March. I have no doubt...

Human Rights Issues (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: The issue of extraordinary rendition has been raised on numerous occasions in this House. As has been made repeatedly clear, the Government is completely opposed to the practice of the extraordinary rendition of prisoners. Immediately following the first reports suggesting that the US was practising extraordinary rendition, the Government demanded and received specific assurances from the...

Human Rights Issues (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: There is a certain irony in any Member of the House putting on the record categoric criticisms of successive US Administrations on this issue and depending on a political response on the basis of a document, the provenance of which is probably questionable, from WikiLeaks. We can have it one way or the other. We can either accept the assurances, which are categoric and on the record, from...

Human Rights Issues (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: The basis of the Deputy's question is that he attributes credibility to the WikiLeaks document. If Members have not read the Wikileaks document, it is interesting in that one of the authorities quoted on this is the Leader of Seanad Éireann, a member of my party. As I said earlier to the Deputy, it is not credible to suggest that we could give more credibility to the conspiracy theory he is...

Foreign Conflicts (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: As Deputies are aware, the direct Israeli-Palestinian talks were suspended shortly after they began in September, following Israel's refusal to extend its partial freeze on settlement construction. The United States, as the convenor of the talks, engaged in a period of intensive engagement with the parties, particularly Israel, to try to bring about a resumption of that freeze, and thus of...

Foreign Conflicts (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: I would not disagree with the Deputy. Given the impasse that has existed for some time, we need to look at alternative approaches. Given the assurances the Israeli people need on the issue of arms going in and the clear necessity for the Palestinian people to have a decent standard of living, we must look for an alternative approach, but the talks have dragged on. As I mentioned to the...

Foreign Conflicts (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: The Deputy's points are well made. I am not sure it is a peacekeeping force that is required or whether it is a mixed police and customs force. The idea is worth exploring.

Foreign Conflicts (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: I have been following recent events in Tunisia very closely, including the ousting of former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali on 14 January following widespread unrest due to popular discontent at extensive unemployment, corruption and repression. I condemn, in the strongest terms, the violent repression of the popular demonstrations which have taken place over the past month and I express...

Foreign Conflicts (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: The situation is fluid. As the Deputy mentioned, some spectacular stories are being told in regard to the shocking habits of people associated with the outgoing regime and the movement of assets. There was no discussion of that specific issue at any of the meetings I attended. The recent decision by the Federal Supreme Court in Switzerland in relation to the movement of assets by the...

Foreign Conflicts (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: I do not disagree with anything the Deputy has said. The Deputy will be aware that I share his view on this matter. I hope to attend the meeting on 31 January at which I will reflect some of the concerns he has expressed.