Results 941-960 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: A small number of officers from other Departments have already joined the Department of Foreign Affairs with a view to decentralising to Limerick and the rate of intake will gradually increase over the next few weeks and months until all the necessary new staff are in place. It is planned to relocate the directorate in a single move during the first quarter of 2007.

Written Answers — British Government Honours List: British Government Honours List (14 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Article 40.2.2° of the Constitution states that "No title of nobility or of honour may be accepted by any citizen except with the prior approval of the Government". The interpretation by the Office of the Attorney General of this article has been that a title is an award that entitles the recipient to use a prefix such as "Sir" or "Lord" before his or her name. An award which provides for...

Written Answers — International Conventions: International Conventions (14 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to replies to parliamentary questions on 2 February, 22 March, 27 April and 28 April 2005. The Government has on several occasions made clear to the US authorities that it would be illegal to transit prisoners for rendition purposes through Irish territory without the express permission of the Irish authorities, acting in accordance with Irish and international law. The US...

Written Answers — European Constitution: European Constitution (14 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government has expressed its regret at the outcomes of the referendums in France and The Netherlands. Despite the fact that "No" votes had been predicted by most opinion polls, they were nevertheless disappointing. It has been apparent for some time that there is a degree of disconnection between the European Union and citizens in many member states. Clearly, this poses serious questions...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (14 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The protection of human rights and the promotion of equality is at the heart of the Good Friday Agreement. This was collectively affirmed by the parties in the commitment within the Agreement to "the mutual respect, the civil rights and the religious liberties of everyone in the community". This included, in particular "the right to equal opportunity in all social and economic activity,...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (14 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The EU integrated rule of law mission for Iraq — EUJUST LEX — was established by a Council joint action in March 2005 and aims to address the urgent requirements in the Iraqi criminal justice system through providing training for high and mid-level officials in senior management and criminal investigation. The aim of the training is to improve the capacity, co-ordination and collaboration...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (14 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: As outlined in my response to a parliamentary question on 12 April 2005, 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. The cost of the visit, including transatlantic and internal transport and accommodation, will be approximately €50,000.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (14 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The visa application to which the Deputy refers was received in the Department of Foreign Affairs on 15 April 2005 and referred to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform for decision. The decision was received in my Department on 3 June, and the visa was immediately endorsed in the passport and forwarded, by registered post, with all the documents that had been submitted to the...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (14 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Mr. Peter Hain MP was appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland following the Westminster election in May. Shortly afterwards, I spoke to him by telephone to offer my congratulations and to arrange for an early meeting. On 18 May I met Mr. Hain in Dublin. This meeting provided a valuable opportunity to discuss the situation in Northern Ireland and to affirm our shared goal of securing...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (14 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The United Nations has the lead role in the search for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. However, the EU enlargement process provided the impetus for the most recent efforts towards a settlement which were undertaken by the UN Secretary General in the first half of 2004, during Ireland's Presidency of the EU. As a result of the referenda in Cyprus on 24 April 2004, the...

Written Answers — European Constitution: European Constitution (14 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 387 and 388 together. Article I-41.6 of the European constitution provides for permanent structured co-operation among those member states whose military capabilities fulfil higher criteria and which have made more binding commitments to one another in this area with a view to the most demanding missions. Article III-312 sets out the procedures governing the...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (15 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Based on the information available to me, I am satisfied that no person who is disqualified from holding a directorship of a private company is currently a member of any State board under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Foreign Military Aircraft: Foreign Military Aircraft (15 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952 gives the Minister for Foreign Affairs discretion in the granting of permission to foreign military aircraft to overfly or land in the State. Permission is normally granted on conditions including that the foreign military aircraft is unarmed, and not carrying arms, ammunition or explosives. It should be noted that these conditions are...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (15 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The total amount spent by the Department of Foreign Affairs on courier services over the last five years is as follows: Year Expenditure on Courier Services (including diplomatic freight) (€) 2000 447,314.75 2001 534,788.01 2002 622,059.70 2003 557,432.57 2004 572,613.34 Diplomatic bag and freight services to and from our network of 69 missions account for...

Order of Business. (16 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I thought Deputy Ring had left Fine Gael.

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (16 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Department of Foreign Affairs has responsibility for Vote 28, foreign affairs, and Vote 29, international co-operation. The budget allocation, outturn and surplus surrendered to the Exchequer for Vote 28, formerly Vote 38 prior to 2004, for the years 1997 to 2004 is as follows: Year Vote allocation (000s) Outturn (000s) Surplus surrendered (000s) 1997 £59,835(€75,975) ...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (16 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: On 1 November 2001, the Colombian Ministry for Foreign Affairs notified the Department of Foreign Affairs that Irish nationals travelling to Colombia, including those travelling as tourists, would henceforth require a visitor's visa. Colombian nationals travelling to Ireland also require a visa to enter this country. I am not aware of any changes in visa requirements since 2001.

European Council Meetings: Statements. (21 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: There was a distinct lack of leadership on Friday and Saturday by the main players in the EU and, as the Taoiseach stated, it was a sad occasion. I attended some long sessions, particularly of the Fisheries Council, and it is not often that Ireland returns from a long session without some satisfaction at a fair result, but on this occasion we returned with heavy hearts because of the lack of...

European Council Meetings: Statements. (21 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: In Deputy Quinn's earlier contribution he asked whether it was anticipated that movement on the financial perspectives would be made during the UK Presidency as opposed to the Austrian Presidency, but we honestly do not know. Tony Blair seemed very content that a decision would not be made during the Luxembourg Presidency. From what he said yesterday, he may well have some plans on this but...

European Council Meetings: Statements. (21 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Regarding Deputy Ó Snodaigh's question on asking the French and Dutch to vote again, we made the point strongly that it was agreed a year ago that every country would endeavour to ratify the constitution over a period and that by 1 November 2006 we would take stock of the situation. No final date was set by which everyone had to ratify the constitution. We said we would take stock of the...