Results 861-880 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Order of Business. (26 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Is Deputy Ring still a member of Fine Gael?

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (26 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Basque Country has extensive autonomous rights in areas including taxation, education, health and policing, in accordance with Spain's 1978 constitution which provides for the devolution of power to 17 autonomous communities or regions. In December 2004, the Basque regional parliament approved a plan proposed by the Basque Prime Minister, Juan Jose Ibarretxe, to replace the existing...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (26 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The following is the breakdown of applications received in the passport offices in Dublin — Molesworth Street and Balbriggan — and Cork in 2005 to the end of April: passport express — 128,080; regular post — 17,198; counter applications — 39,540; total — 184,818. The figures represent an increase of 8.86% over the corresponding period in 2004. The passport office is implementing a...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (26 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: A total of 184,818 passports were issued by the passport offices in Dublin, Balbriggan and Cork to the end of April 2005, the last month for which I have full monthly records. The revenue received amounted to €8,346,503.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (31 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Under the Government's decentralisation programme, announced in December 2003, the development co-operation directorate of the Department of Foreign Affairs, currently based in Dublin, is scheduled to decentralise to Limerick. This will involve the relocation of 123 posts and is scheduled to take place during the first quarter of 2007. Details of applications received for the posts in...

Written Answers — Computerisation Programme: Computerisation Programme (31 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: As I indicated to the Deputy in reply to a previous question, the passport office is currently implementing a new system for processing passport applications. This includes a new, more secure passport booklet. As part of the overall project, specialised production equipment has been purchased for this purpose at a cost of approximately €8 million. The cost of maintenance of the production...

Written Answers — Nuclear Disarmament Initiative: Nuclear Disarmament Initiative (31 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme between Iran and France, Germany and the UK, supported by the high representative for the common foreign and security policy, resulted in an agreement signed in Paris in November 2004 on nuclear issues and future co-operation. Under this agreement, which was endorsed by the European Council last December, Iran, inter alia, reaffirmed that it does...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (31 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The following bilateral agreements concluded between the State and the United Kingdom have entered into force since September 1999: — agreement between the two Governments — British/Irish Agreement — Belfast, 10 April 1998, entered into force on 2 December 1999; — agreement establishing a British-Irish Council, Dublin, 8 March 1999, entered into force on 2 December 1999; — agreement...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (31 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Following entry into force of a treaty with respect to the State it has long been the practice of my Department to arrange simultaneously for its registration with the Secretary General of the United Nations, pursuant to Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations and for its publication in the Irish treaty series. I am not aware of any bilateral agreement concluded with the United...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (31 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: On 19 May, I launched the plans for the future development of the Battle of the Boyne site at Oldbridge. This next phase of development will transform the site into a welcoming and significant visitor experience which will encourage and facilitate an understanding of the battle and an appreciation for the environment in which it took place. As invoices are still outstanding, the full costs of...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (1 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Department of Foreign Affairs processes visa applications at its overseas missions in accordance with guidelines issued by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. In the case of certain categories of visas, the Department of Foreign Affairs has delegated sanction to issue visas without reference to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Where a visa application...

Written Answers — Fairtrade Products: Fairtrade Products (1 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 and 171 together. Like all Departments, the Department of Foreign Affairs uses the Department of Finance public procurement guidelines for all significant purchases. As the purchase of food and beverage products generally falls below EU threshold values, the criteria for low value requirements contained in the guidelines are applied. The Fairtrade Mark is...

Written Answers — Departmental Publications: Departmental Publications (1 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: There are currently seven reports scheduled to be published shortly by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The annual report on developments in the European Union in 2004, which is drafted under the terms of the EU (Scrutiny) Act 2002 is expected to be published within the coming weeks. The report will cost approximately €12,000. The Department's strategy statement 2005 to 2007 is due to be...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (1 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Basque country has extensive autonomous rights in areas including taxation, education, health and policing, in accordance with Spain's 1978 constitution, which provides for the devolution of power to the 17 autonomous communities or regions. In December 2004, the Basque regional parliament approved a plan proposed by the Basque Prime Minister, Juan Jose Ibarretxe, to replace the existing...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (1 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of the arrest, and subsequent release on bail, of the Batasuna spokesman Arnaldo Otegi. Mr. Otegi has been charged with membership of ETA, which, as the Deputy will be aware, has been included on the EU list of terrorist organisations since 27 December 2001. By a unanimous decision of the EU member states, Batasuna was added to this list on 4 June 2003. In taking this decision, the...

Written Answers — UN Special Envoys: UN Special Envoys (1 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Deputies will be aware that preparations are well advanced for the summit that will take place at the United Nations next September, at which Heads of State and Government will seek to restore momentum to the achievement of the millennium development goals, agree on reforms that will strengthen the system of collective security based on the United Nations, enhance the human rights function of...

Written Answers — Nuclear Disarmament Initiative: Nuclear Disarmament Initiative (1 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 253 of 31 May. Negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme between Iran and France, Germany and the UK, supported by the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, resulted in an agreement signed in Paris in November 2004 on nuclear issues and future co-operation. Under this agreement, which was endorsed by...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (1 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy is referring to an application lodged with the European Court of Human Rights, which a chamber of the court declared admissible in a decision dated 6 April 2005. My Department is aware of this case. It should be noted, however, that the court's decision on admissibility was made without prejudice to the merits of the case. These will be examined by the court and a determination...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (1 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: From time to time, the US Department of State designates specific countries as being "of particular concern" within the meaning of the United States' International Religious Freedom Act 1998. This Act requires the State Department to submit an annual report to congress describing the status of religious freedom throughout the world. The designation process, under which countries of concern...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (1 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government has been following closely the ongoing developments in the peace process in Colombia. Ireland, along with its European Union partners, supports the Colombian Government in its search for a negotiated solution to the conflict. The most recent statement of Irish and European Union policy in this regard is set out in the conclusions of the General Affairs and External Relations...