Results 1,141-1,160 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Dialogue of Cultures: Dialogue of Cultures (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: At their sixth formal meeting in Naples on 2-3 December 2003, the Foreign Ministers of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, also referred to as the Barcelona process, formally agreed to the establishment of the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures. This foundation is designed to promote cultural, educational and people to people exchanges between the...

Written Answers — EU Constitution: EU Constitution (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 97, 158, 161 and 165 together. The position is that 13 member states have ratified the European constitution to date, two by referendum and 11 by parliamentary procedure. Parliamentary ratification procedures are far-advanced in one other member state. The constitution has been rejected by referendum in two member states. The Government very much regretted...

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The European Council last met on 16 and 17 June of this year and the Taoiseach reported to the House in detail on 21 June on the meeting's outcome with regard to the European Union's financial framework for the period 2007-13. I would recall briefly that the June European Council failed to reach agreement on the future financial perspectives. While the great majority of member states could...

Written Answers — EU-Russia Summit: EU-Russia Summit (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The EU-Russia Summit which took place in London on 4 October reviewed progress in implementation of what are known as the four "Common Spaces", which relate to economic issues, freedom, security and justice, external security and research and education. By focusing summit preparations on a small number of specific areas and pressing these strongly, the Union was able to achieve some good...

Written Answers — US Refugees Policy: US Refugees Policy (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the House to the replies I made to previous questions on this matter on 8 March 2005, 28 April 2005 and 2 June 2005, respectively. In my reply of 8 March 2005, I said that Senator Edward Kennedy, joined by Senators John Kerry and Charles Schumer, had written to President Bush to urge a reversal of the decision by the US Department of Homeland Security to terminate the "temporary...

Written Answers — UN Reform: UN Reform (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 33, 35, 58, 69 and 108 together. The members of the United Nations are agreed that the composition of the Security Council established under the UN Charter is not in accord with the realities of the 21st century. This is particularly the case as regards the permanent seats on the council, which are still occupied by the five major victorious powers in the...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: In February 2002 a formal ceasefire agreement was signed, with Norwegian facilitation, between the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, LTTE. However, little progress has been made in talks between the parties since then. Following the tsunami in December 2004, which particularly affected Tamil regions in the north and east of Sri Lanka, renewed efforts were made to...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: On 13 June 2005, European Union Foreign Ministers unanimously approved our proposal, first tabled in November 2004, to accord official and working status to the Irish language. This was a major achievement for the Government from which I derive considerable satisfaction. The decision represents a significant advance for the Irish language. Irish becomes the 21st official and working language...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: EU accession negotiations with Croatia opened early on 4 October in Luxembourg. Croatia applied for membership of the European Union in 2003. Under the Irish Presidency, the June 2004 European Council agreed that Croatia fulfilled the Copenhagen political criteria and the specific conditions established for the countries of the western Balkans. The European Council decided that Croatia was a...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Ethiopia's third general election, held on 15 May 2005, was the most genuinely competitive in the country's history. International observers were present, including an EU election observation mission, EOM, with Irish participation. The organisation and execution of the ballot exceeded the expectations of most election observers, although some shortcomings were identified. Irish observers of...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: My Department continues to monitor closely all developments in relation to the McCartney case. I was shocked to hear the recent reports of continuing intimidation and attacks on members and supporters of the McCartney family. I would like to take this opportunity to repeat my condemnation of this type of intimidation, which is totally unacceptable. Officials of my Department are in ongoing...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 42 together. Following the signing of the accession treaty in April 2005, Bulgaria and Romania participate in almost all EU meetings as active observers. Both countries ratified the accession treaty in May 2005 and are scheduled to join the Union in January 2007, if they are ready. In accordance with the December 2004 European Council conclusions, the...

Written Answers — Nuclear Disarmament: Nuclear Disarmament (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, NPT, 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 conference took place on 2 to 27 May 2005 at the United Nations in New York. In my statement during the general...

Written Answers — Undocumented Irish Emigrants: Undocumented Irish Emigrants (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 77, and 115 together. The Deputies can be assured that the welfare of undocumented Irish is a matter of the highest priority for the Government. In all of our contacts with US political leaders, including when the Taoiseach and I met with President Bush in March, we emphasise the importance of addressing the situation in a positive and sympathetic way. In...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The draft constitution of Iraq was drawn up in a lengthy negotiation between the parties represented in the Transitional National Assembly. This process included additional representatives of the Sunni community, who were co-opted onto the constitutional committee to compensate for their under-representation in the Assembly. The draft constitution was approved by the committee at the end of...

Written Answers — Common Foreign and Security Policy: Common Foreign and Security Policy (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 90 and 121 together. The European Security and Defence Policy, ESDP, is an integral part of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, CFSP, and serves the Union's general objectives of peace and stability. These objectives and the provisions governing the ESDP are set out in the treaties of Amsterdam and of Nice, which were approved by referendum. In this...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: There is no formal Government policy of informing the Catholic hierarchy here in advance of visits to the Vatican by members of the Government. However, if considered helpful and-or courteous, and as part of the preparation of such visits, contact might of course on occasion be appropriate and desirable.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 44, 66 and 104 together. The Government has consistently highlighted the abuse of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Burma and condemned the lack of progress towards democracy. The continuing house arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, other opposition activists and a number of MPs elected in 1990 remains of grave concern to Ireland and our EU partners....

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 40 together. The Middle East peace process is a constant item on the agenda for the monthly meetings of the General Affairs and External Relations Council. At the most recent meeting of the Council which I attended in Luxembourg on 3 October, we discussed developments in the light of the Israeli disengagement from Gaza and adopted detailed conclusions...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Relations: Diplomatic Relations (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The relationship between the EU and Pakistan did not arise either at the most recent meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 3 October, or at the European Council meeting on 16 and 17 June. An EU Troika meeting with Pakistan at foreign minister level took place in Luxembourg on 27 April 2005. Pakistani Foreign Minister Kasuri briefed the EU side on political...