Results 1,341-1,360 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 41, 42, 54, 61, 81, 97 and 102 together. I would refer the Deputies to my reply to Questions Nos. 13 and 14 of today. The troops referred to by Deputy Ó Snodaigh were transiting through Shannon Airport to the US from the Middle East on a home-leave flight.

Written Answers — Colombian Peace Process: Colombian Peace Process (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 94 and 100 together. At its most recent meeting, on 7 November 2005, the General Affairs and External Relations Council discussed the need for intensified support for the peace process in Colombia in line with the conclusions on Colombia it adopted on 3 October 2005. It was agreed in the conclusions adopted at the meeting on 3 October that the recently...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy will be aware, the European Council in June 2005 failed to reach agreement on the future financial perspectives. While the great majority of member states could accept the Luxembourg Presidency's final compromise package of 17 June, a small number of countries remained opposed for a variety of reasons. These included the proposed reduction of the UK rebate, the level of net...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: On 31 October, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1636, welcoming the report of the UN International Investigation Commission into the assassination of the former Prime Minister of Lebanon, Mr. Rafiq Hariri, in Beirut on 14 February 2005. The commission, under the German investigator, Mr. Detlev Mehlis, submitted an interim report on 19 October which indicated that major...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: On 18 December 2002, the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Draft Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment, OP-CAT. Ireland, along with other EU partners, fully supported the draft optional protocol and worked for its adoption at the UN General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights. The object of...

Written Answers — Common Foreign and Security Policy: Common Foreign and Security Policy (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Terrorism is recognised as a major threat to the security of the European Union and of its citizens. Terrorism puts lives at risk. It imposes large costs. It seeks to undermine the openness and tolerance of European societies. It poses a strategic threat to the whole of Europe. The European Union is determined to take all necessary actions to counter the terrorist threat. The fight against...

Written Answers — Kidnapping Incident: Kidnapping Incident (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I know that everyone in this House was delighted by the release of Mr. Rory Carroll and shared the enormous sense of relief felt by all people in Ireland. I pay tribute to the dignity and composure of the Carroll family throughout their whole ordeal. I wish also to record the Government's appreciation to all who helped achieve this happy outcome. In particular, throughout the ordeal, we...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 92 together. The allegation that there is or has been a network of secret prisons in Europe is a matter of very deep concern. The existence of such secret prisons would plainly be in breach of international law and of the principles upon which the EU is founded: liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law....

Written Answers — Overseas Property Investment: Overseas Property Investment (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: In line with UN Security Council Resolutions 541 of 1983 and 550 of 1984, which are binding on all members of the United Nations, Ireland does not recognise the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus". The Republic of Cyprus has been a member state of the EU since 1 May 2004. In the absence of a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem, the application of the laws and...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions 45 and 80 together. The situation in Iraq so far this year has been characterised by real progress in the political reconstruction of the country. This has, unfortunately, been accompanied by a continuing campaign of serious violence, aimed principally at the new Iraqi Government and its officials, and also at ordinary Iraqi civilians. The violence continues to...

Written Answers — EU Constitution: EU Constitution (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 46, 60, 87 and 140 together. The White Paper on the European Constitution, which was published on 13 October, is designed to give a fair and factual description of the constitution and an outline of the broad approach taken by Ireland to its negotiation. It has been widely distributed, including to schools, libraries, public representatives, and voluntary...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 48 and 146 together. The North-South Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in Nairobi on 9 January 2005 was a major step forward, providing new hope for the future of Sudan. A new Government of National Unity was established in July, when the new constitution came into effect. Following the accidental death in a plane crash of First Vice-President and...

Written Answers — European Security and Defence Policy: European Security and Defence Policy (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 85 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 — Avian Influenza: Avian Influenza (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 66 together. The General Affairs and External Relations Council, at its meeting of 7 November 2005, discussed the outcome of the recent informal European Council meeting in Hampton Court, the WTO, the financial perspectives for 2007-2013, avian influenza and several items in the area of the Common Foreign and Security Policy. My colleague, the Minister...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 86 together. While regular contact is maintained with the International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC, through our Permanent Mission in Geneva and Washington Embassy, there has been no specific correspondence between myself and the ICRC on the subject of the prisoners in Guantanamo Bay. The ICRC has visited the US detention facility at Guantanamo Bay...

Written Answers — Arms Trade: Arms Trade (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I assume the Deputy is referring to the EU code of conduct on arms exports. Currently, all exports of arms from EU countries must conform to the EU code of conduct on arms exports, which establishes criteria to control such exports. Ireland was actively involved in the establishment of this politically binding code, which was adopted by the EU General Affairs Council in June 1998. The code...

Written Answers — UN Agencies: UN Agencies (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy is aware, the Irish United Nations Association, IUNA, is a voluntary body and a member of the World Federation of United Nations Associations. The task of these associations is to promote and sustain understanding of, and support for, the work of the United Nations among the general public in UN member states. I am very conscious and appreciative of the valuable contribution...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government's continuing concern about the human rights situation in Belarus is communicated frequently to the Belarus authorities, principally through EU channels but also through bilateral diplomatic contacts, which are relatively active: the Ambassador of Belarus last visited Ireland in April, the Irish Ambassador visited Belarus in May. Our human rights concerns in Belarus were...

Written Answers — US Immigration Policy: US Immigration Policy (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos 70, 74, 96 and 98 together. The Deputies can be assured that the welfare of the undocumented Irish in the US is a matter of the highest priority for the Government. I would refer Deputies to the reply given by me earlier to the priority question on the same subject. In all our contacts with US political leaders, including when the Taoiseach and I met with...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Relations: Diplomatic Relations (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland and Poland enjoy excellent bilateral relations and work closely together as member states of the European Union where we have many shared interests. We look forward to maintaining this relationship with the new Government under Prime Minister-designate Marcinkiewicz which is seeking parliamentary approval today. Poland's new Foreign Minister, Mr. Stefan Meller, attended this week's...