Results 1,541-1,560 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Decentralisation Programme. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: ——in Limerick, just as it is in Dublin.

Decentralisation Programme. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: That is where the Deputy and I differ. It is the case that, regarding the senior management team, none of the existing people has applied. However, there are ten principal officers from elsewhere in the public and Civil Service who are willing, meaning that there is plenty of scope. This will probably be one of the success stories, since we have now acquired a building, and a high proportion...

Decentralisation Programme. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: That is also an issue on which I will get back to the Deputy. I am not aware of that.

Conventional Weapons. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government strongly opposes any use of chemical weapons, which is of course contrary to international law. We likewise strongly oppose the use of any conventional weapons in a manner contrary to international law. My concern on the issue was aroused by several media reports last month which alleged that weapons banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention, CWC, had been used by US forces...

Conventional Weapons. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: We raised with the OPCW the definition of white phosphorous and whether it was a chemical weapon. It confirmed that it was not since it did not fall within that convention's ambit. However, at the same time, I fully empathise with the Deputy's view regarding the use of such weapons in circumstances where civilians are involved. We raised this issue with the US Embassy. There were media...

Conventional Weapons. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I go on to say that they stated that forces in Iraq went to extreme lengths to ensure that everything possible was done to keep civilians out of harm's way. Regarding Falluja, I believe that there were in the region of 300,000 there.

Conventional Weapons. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: After appeals to the civilian population to leave the area, approximately 30,000 people remained. It raises concerns regarding this issue, but when we first became aware of the use of phosphorous and the way in which it was used, we raised those issues with the US Embassy.

Conventional Weapons. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: We are going back over old ground in regard to the assurances about Shannon. We accept the same assurances that the Deputy accepted when he was a member of a Government——

Conventional Weapons. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: ——in respect of the use of Shannon. That has been the case for 50 years.

Conventional Weapons. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Regarding the use of Shannon and infringement of any——

Conventional Weapons. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: ——international human rights, the Deputy was a member of a Government that accepted that.

Conventional Weapons. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am glad the Deputy clarified that.

Conventional Weapons. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: If the Deputy asks a question he should let me finish. I will not take double standards from the likes of Deputy Higgins, depending on the side of the House he sits on.

Conventional Weapons. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: We are not——

Conventional Weapons. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: We have made it clear that——

Conventional Weapons. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Deputy Higgins, we have made it clear that we condemn extraordinary rendition and we will not allow this State to be party to it.

Conventional Weapons. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: We have said that and we have also said that we are against the use of chemical weapons in conflicts such as that in Iraq. Regarding the question the Deputy asked, we have raised the issue of the use of white phosphorous in the only way we can — with the United States through our diplomatic channels, and they have said clearly that they have not used white phosphorous specifically against...

State Airports. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40, 45, 48, 53, 56, 82, 85, 90, 110, 114, 210 and 221 together. The Government is completely opposed to the practice of so-called extraordinary rendition, whereby prisoners are transported from one jurisdiction to another contrary to international law and without recourse to the normal judicial checks and balances that attend the legitimate transfer of...

State Airports. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Absolutely not. The DPP has to implement the laws as laid down by the Oireachtas. On the issue of our special relationship with the US, people here accept that given America's emphasis on Ireland concerning all matters, not least the peace process on which an inordinate amount of time and effort was spent by US politicians and Administrations of all creeds to help Ireland, when they give us...

State Airports. (14 Dec 2005)

Dermot Ahern: This is because it boils down to actual knowledge. When these airplanes came through Ireland, we had no actual knowledge regarding this matter and any investigation into it. According to the European Court of Human Rights, substantial proof was needed, of which there is none. This question concerns rendition flights, although the Deputy's argument veers between them and black sites. Human...