Results 1,041-1,060 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I was deeply concerned by reports of the public execution of two youths in Mashad in Iran on 19 July. The Government is strongly opposed to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances. The worldwide abolition of the death penalty is a political priority for Ireland and for our partners in the EU. We have also strongly urged states which retain the death penalty not to apply it to any...

Written Answers — Emigrant Issues: Emigrant Issues (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Annual estimates on net migration from Ireland in the period 1950 to 1975 are provided in the research study which accompanied the report of the task force on policy regarding emigrants. These estimates, set out in the following table for the information of the Deputy, indicate that from 1950 to 1970 Ireland experienced net emigration. This trend was reversed in 1971 when, for the first time...

Written Answers — Overseas Prisoners: Overseas Prisoners (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, it is the right of every Irish citizen who is arrested or imprisoned abroad to seek consular assistance from the Department of Foreign Affairs. However, not all Irish citizens who are arrested or imprisoned avail of this right. The number of Irish prisoners abroad is moreover constantly changing, as some are released and others newly...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: In July I was delighted to announce Díon grants totalling €6.60 million to 102 organisations involved in the provision of a wide range of support and advisory services which benefit Irish people resident in Britain, an increase so far this year of 52% on last year. The valuable services of the organisations that we support include advice and information on issues relating to transferring...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: At the recent 61st session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights held in April 2005 in Geneva, Ireland, together with our EU partners, worked actively towards the adoption by the commission of the chair's statement on the situation of human rights in Colombia. The statement condemns all breaches of international humanitarian law in Colombia and calls on all parties to the conflict...

Written Answers — Consular Assistance: Consular Assistance (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: On my instructions, the Irish Embassy in Madrid again contacted the person to whom the Deputy refers. I understand that she informed the embassy that she has secured an appointment with the pain clinic in Palma on 29 September 2005. She also indicated that, since she won her court case against her former employer in March 2005, her situation has improved. She has been provided with the...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The question of Ireland's participation in the EU Integrated Rule of Law Mission for Iraq remains under active consideration. As the Deputy will be aware from my reply to his earlier question, all training carried out as part of the mission will take place in EU member states. Any participation by Ireland would be likely to take the form of the provision of one or more members of the Garda...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of a media report that Martin Scheinin, the UN Commission on Human Rights' special rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms while Countering Terrorism, has been contacted by Irish citizens regarding allegations about the use of Irish airports by the US to transit prisoners who are suspected of terrorist activity. Last week my Department...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: There are no Acts, or sections or other provisions of Acts, falling under the auspices of the Department of Foreign Affairs, which are not yet in force.

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman recommended in January 2004 that the murder of Seán Brown in 1997 be thoroughly re-investigated, on the basis that the RUC investigation carried out at the time of the murder was incomplete and inadequate. The Brown family agreed to co-operate with the new PSNI investigation, and sit on an advisory group to the investigation which includes officials from...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am not aware of any applications for refugee status having been made by members of the US armed services. In the circumstances outlined by the Deputy, such individuals would not appear to meet the definition of refugees fleeing persecution as contained in the 1951 Refugee Convention, and so would not qualify for refugee status under Irish law. Each individual case would, of course, have to...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Immunity: Diplomatic Immunity (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: All diplomatic agents of embassies in Ireland, including their spouses and families, are granted diplomatic immunity in accordance with the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act 1967. This Act incorporates the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961, into Irish law. The convention also provides for this immunity to be waived by the sending State at any time. Currently there are 54...

Written Answers — Murder Inquiry: Murder Inquiry (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 609 and 621 together. I am aware of the case to which the Deputies have referred. First, may I say that I, and all who have been involved in this case on behalf of the Government, have the greatest sympathy for the family concerned. My Department, through its consular division, the Irish Embassy in Madrid and the honorary consulate in Alicante, has been...

Written Answers — Foreign Elections: Foreign Elections (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Ethiopia's third general election was held on 15 May 2005. International observers were present, including an EU Election Observation Mission, EOM, with Irish participation, including of course the Deputy himself. Polling day itself passed off peacefully. The turnout of Ethiopia's 26 million registered voters was estimated at approximately 90%. The organisation and execution of the ballot...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The British Government has announced its intention, in the context of an enabling security environment, of proceeding with an accelerated programme of normalisation measures in the period between now and August 2007. The first phase of this programme is currently underway and involves the deconstruction of observation posts in south Armagh and their return to green-field status. At the...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Good Friday Agreement provided for the creation of a statutory duty on public authorities in Northern Ireland to carry out all their functions with due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity in relation to religion and political opinion; gender; race; disability; age; marital status; dependants and sexual orientation. This statutory duty was legislated for in section 75 of...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: 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, regardless of class, creed, disability,...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of the situation to which the Deputy refers. It arises from the overall restrictions on movement which the Israeli security forces have applied in the occupied Palestinian territories and east Jerusalem. The Government shares the widespread concern about the effects of these restrictions, and in common with our EU partners, we continue to urge the Israeli authorities to address the...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of Amnesty International reports that make reference to media and other reports alleging that Shannon Airport has been used by the US to transit prisoners who are suspected of terrorist activity. The Amnesty International reports themselves make no specific allegations about Shannon Airport. Similarly, I am aware of a media report that Martin Scheinin, the UN Commission on Human...

Written Answers — Foreign Court Proceedings: Foreign Court Proceedings (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am very aware of the case that the Deputy has mentioned. The person mentioned by the Deputy was arrested on the morning of 12 August in Kitale, Kenya in connection with a public land rights protest against the alleged grabbing of a public park by private investors. He was held in custody until 15 August when he was released on bail. The Department of Foreign Affairs was notified of this...