Results 1,221-1,240 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (11 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: There have been no developments since my reply to Question No. 212 on 10 May 2005 to the Deputy on this matter. I can assure the Deputy that we, together with our partners in the EU, will continue to monitor closely the political situation in Indonesia. Human rights issues are regularly raised in discussions with the Indonesian authorities. In this regard, the EU troika of heads of mission in...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (11 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Mr Anwar, the former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, was recently awarded approximately €1 million in damages by the Malaysian High Court against the author of a book entitled "50 Reasons Why Anwar Cannot Be PM". The book, which contained graphic sexual allegations as well as allegations of corruption, was published in 1998 and was used against Mr. Anwar in his dismissal from office in...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (11 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: There have been no developments since my reply to Question No. 214 on 10 May 2005 to the Deputy on this matter. I assure the Deputy that we, together with our partners in the EU, will continue to monitor closely this particular case and more generally the political and human rights situation in Mongolia.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (11 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 243 together. There have been some developments in these cases since my reply to Questions Nos. 215 and 216 from the Deputy on 10 May 2005. I understand that Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, leader of the Pakistan People's Party and husband of exiled former Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, has recently been in the United States receiving treatment for a heart...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (11 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: As I have previously informed the Deputy in reply to a written parliamentary question on 10 May 2005, I am aware that the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, at its meeting from 3 to 9 April 2005 in Manila adopted a resolution regarding the murders of Jaime Ricaurte Hurtado González and Pablo Vicente Tapia Farinango. I share the view of the IPU that due process is essential in such cases. In a...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (11 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: As I have previously informed the Deputy in reply to a written parliamentary question on 10 May 2005, I am aware that the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, at its meeting from 3 to 9 April 2005 in Manila adopted a resolution regarding ongoing court proceedings in the case of the murder of Mr. Miguel Angel Pavón Salazar in Honduras. I share the view of the IPU that due process is essential in...

Written Answers — Official Travel: Official Travel (11 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: There are no plans for ministerial or State visits between Venezuela and Ireland at this time. Our programme of visits, both outward and inward, is kept under review on an ongoing basis.

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (11 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Patten report recommended the establishment of a human rights-orientated, community police force in Northern Ireland. The force was to be democratically accountable and reflective of the community it served. In his latest report, the oversight commissioner, who monitors the implementation of the Patten reforms, stated that 65% of the recommendations had been fully implemented and that...

Written Answers — Foreign Relations: Foreign Relations (11 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: A new chapter opened in bilateral relations between Ireland and Ukraine after the momentous democratic change which culminated in the inauguration of Viktor Yushchenko as President last January. I am pleased to say that contacts at political level have been stepped up very considerably. The Minister of State, Deputy Lenihan, represented Ireland at the inauguration of President Yushcenko. In...

Seanad: The Secure America and Orderly Immigration Act: Motion. (11 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I welcome this opportunity to address Seanad Éireann on this important motion, having already addressed the Dáil on the matter last week. The vulnerable situation of the undocumented Irish in the United States is well known to all Members of the Oireachtas. As public representatives, the very stressful burden placed on such individuals, and the restrictions within which they must operate,...

Leaders' Questions. (12 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: What happened when the Opposition was on these benches?

Leaders' Questions. (12 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: To which party does Deputy Ring belong? Has he joined the Labour Party?

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (12 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for two Votes — Vote 28, Foreign Affairs, and Vote 29, International Co-operation. The Department commissions consultancies where specialised knowledge and-or skills are not available within the Department and, particularly in the case of the Development Co-operation Ireland, DCI, programme, where an independent evaluation of programmes and...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (12 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland currently has diplomatic relations with Cuba on a non-residential basis. The Irish Ambassador to Mexico is also accredited to Cuba. The opening of Irish missions abroad and the appointment of resident ambassadors is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis. As the Deputy will appreciate, constraints on Government expenditure and limited resources mean that any expansion of our...

Written Answers — Town Twinning Programmes: Town Twinning Programmes (12 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Under the terms of the Local Government Act 2001, the decision to twin a local authority area, or part of a local authority area, is a decision for the elected members of that authority. The Department of Foreign Affairs does not have any formal role in town or area twinning and no specific funding has been allocated by the Department for such programmes. Our missions abroad do, from time to...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (12 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I, personally, do not have any hand, act or part in the process or decision in the above-mentioned matter. This is a matter for the accounting officer of my Department. Two schemes involving annual performance-related pay and biannual merit awards are in operation in the Department of Foreign Affairs. These are the scheme of performance-related pay awards for officers at the level of deputy...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (12 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: During the period referred to by the Deputy, five consultancies were carried out by Deloitte & Touche. All of these consultancies related to Ireland Aid and details are set out below. Year Purpose Cost (€) 2000 Review of Ireland Aid Procurement Procedures (March-June 2000) 57,083.09 2000 Quality Review of the Evaluation and Audit Unit within Ireland Aid (Dec 2000-Feb 2001)...

Written Answers — Migrant Workers Rights: Migrant Workers Rights (13 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: As stated in my reply on the last occasion this matter was raised with me in May of this year, Ireland is not a signatory to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. The convention was adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 1990, and it entered into force on 1 July 2003, following ratification by the requisite...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (13 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland has consistently supported 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 Ireland's term on the UN Security Council. Security Council Resolution 1495 of July 2003 recommended the acceptance by all sides of the Baker II plan. The plan proposes a transitional period of four to five...

Leaders' Questions. (18 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am not smiling.