Results 921-940 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Human Trafficking: Human Trafficking (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government is fully committed to the active promotion of full observance of universal human rights standards, and opposes, and seeks the elimination of, the practice of human trafficking. The importance of addressing trafficking in persons has been recognised by Ireland and our EU partners. Article 5 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights prohibits trafficking in human beings. In 2004...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The political situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to be characterised by slow progress towards completion of the transition process. The major priority remains the holding of national elections by no later than June 2006, as scheduled under the 2002 Sun City peace accords. It now appears likely that a decision will be taken by the transitional national Government in...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: While Liberia has made remarkable progress since the comprehensive peace agreement of August 2003, it still faces the major challenges of a successful return to democracy and sustaining the peace process. Parliamentary and presidential elections are due to be held on 11 October 2005. This election will mark the return of Liberia to a constitutional democracy after 14 years of civil war. The...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland is a long-standing supporter of the right of the Saharawi people to self-determination. The Government played a prominent role in seeking a solution to the Western Sahara dispute during its term on the UN Security Council. Security Council resolution 1495 of July 2003 recommended the acceptance by all sides of the "Baker II plan". This plan was drawn up by Mr. James Baker during his...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Both Romania and Bulgaria are due to accede to the Union on 1 January 2007, if they are ready. The Treaty of Accession with both countries was signed last month and since then they have become active observers at nearly all EU meetings. Bulgaria ratified the treaty on 11 May and Romania is expected to ratify within the next few weeks. In order for the treaty to come into effect, as envisaged,...

Written Answers — Task Force on Emigrants: Task Force on Emigrants (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The task force on policy regarding emigrants produced an excellent report which provides us with a very valuable framework for action. Its varied and wide-ranging recommendations are best implemented on a phased basis. Many of the recommendations relate to issues of continuing importance which require ongoing action from all partners, in Government and the voluntary sector, at home and...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The situation of the Bhutanese refugees has its origins in the policies of the Government of Bhutan in the late 1980s and early 1990s, which resulted in the expulsion of tens of thousands of people from the south of the country to Nepal. These refugees are of Nepalese descent and Hindu, unlike the northern Bhutanese who are predominantly Buddhist. Many of the refugees were forced to sign...

Written Answers — United Nations Reform: United Nations Reform (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The UN Secretary General has put forward a wide-ranging set of proposals for UN reform which it is hoped will be adopted at a summit level meeting to take place in New York in September. A small number of reforms will require amendment of the UN Charter. The most significant of these is the proposed expansion of the Security Council. Article 108 of the charter states that an amendment to the...

Written Answers — Undocumented Irish Emigrants: Undocumented Irish Emigrants (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Real ID Act was passed unanimously by the US Senate on 10 May 2005 and was signed into law by President Bush the following day. Among its provisions, the Real ID Act establishes minimum standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identity cards in order that they be eligible for use as federal identification. People applying for, or seeking renewal of, driver's licenses and official...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The term "battlegroups" is a widely used military one. It essentially refers to effective military units that are capable of stand-alone rapid response operations. Unfortunately, the use of the term can create a misleading impression of what the European Union is actually seeking to achieve in facilitating the establishment of stand-alone units to respond in crisis management contexts. I...

Written Answers — Military Neutrality: Military Neutrality (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The amendment to Bunreacht na hÉireann, approved by the people in October 2002 at the initiation of the Government, precludes Ireland from participating in a common defence. It is the Government's intention that this prohibition be carried over in the context of the ratification of the European constitution.

Written Answers — United Nations Reform: United Nations Reform (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The European Union is a strong advocate of the UN Secretary General's reform agenda and has placed its weight behind efforts to secure agreement at the September summit on a positive and balanced package of measures that would restore momentum to the achievement of the millennium development goals, MDGs, and enhance the effectiveness of the United Nations. Support for effective...

Written Answers — Task Force on Emigrants: Task Force on Emigrants (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The task force on policy regarding emigrants produced an excellent report which provides us with a very valuable framework for action. Its varied and wide-ranging recommendations are best implemented on a phased basis. Many of the recommendations relate to issues of continuing importance which require on-going action from all partners, in Government and the voluntary sector, at home and...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which is the most universal of all of the multilateral instruments in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation, came into force in 1970. The treaty has been reviewed at five-year intervals to assess progress under its three pillars of disarmament, non-proliferation, and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The seventh NPT review...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: There has been no expenditure relating to commissions, inquiries and tribunals by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Written Answers — United Nations Reform: United Nations Reform (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 161, 162 and 168 together. It is generally agreed that the 60-year old structure of the United Nations Security Council, which derives from the immediate post-war situation, is not in accord with today's realities. There are, however, sharply divergent views on how the structure should be reformed. The high level panel on threats, challenges and change that...

Written Answers — Undocumented Irish Emigrants: Undocumented Irish Emigrants (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Since the tragic events of 11 September 2001, immigration has become a highly sensitive and divisive issue in the United States. There is, in particular, a widespread and strongly held view in Congress that an amnesty for the undocumented should not be on the agenda. Members who have visited Washington in recent times will have come away with this clear message. However, there have been...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: A rebellion against the monarchy in Nepal, led by the extreme left wing Maoist Communist Party has been ongoing since 1996. The insurgency has, to date, claimed approximately 10,000 lives. The rebels are fighting to abolish the constitutional monarchy and establish a socialist state in the Himalayan kingdom. It is estimated that more than 40% of the country is now under the control of the...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Since the events of 29 December 2003, my Department has been endeavouring to establish the full circumstances of the ambush that led to Archbishop Michael Courtney's tragic death. My predecessor, 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 he met the President in New York at the...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government is concerned about the ongoing attacks against the homes of residents in the Sommerdale Park, Ligoniel Road and Ballysillan areas of north Belfast. These attacks have been of a highly intimidating nature, with paint and petrol bombs thrown at cars, houses attacked and damaged, windows broken and ordinary families terrorised in their own homes. The Government raised its concerns...