Results 1,781-1,800 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (22 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 94, 97 and 161 together. Under the Government's decentralisation programme, the development co-operation directorate, DCD, of the Department of Foreign Affairs, currently based in Dublin, will decentralise to Limerick. This is scheduled to take place during the first quarter of 2007 and will involve the relocation to Limerick of 124 posts. Already, a total of...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (22 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I understand that the recent comments by the Secretary of State to which the Deputy refers were made in the context of the need to make political progress in Northern Ireland in 2006. The Secretary of State made the point that salaries and allowances continue to be paid to elected members of institutions that have not met since 2002 and expressed the view that tax-payers and voters would not...

Written Answers — Nuclear Programmes: Nuclear Programmes (22 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 115 together. The issue of the nuclear programme of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK, is kept under close and regular scrutiny within the European Union. The International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, has the responsibility of carrying out inspections of nuclear and related facilities under the safeguards agreement with the DPRK, which was...

Written Answers — EU Constitution: EU Constitution (22 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Agreement on the European constitution was arrived at following a long and complex set of negotiations. The outcome represents a finely balanced package and we oppose any suggestions for its selective implementation which could disturb that essential balance. It remains the Government's firm wish to see the constitution, as agreed in 2004, enter into force following ratification by all member...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Relations: Diplomatic Relations (22 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of recent comments which US Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld has made, including a likening of President Chavez to Adolf Hitler. Such comments reflect continuing tensions in relations between the United States and the Government of Venezuela, which are also reflected in, inter alia, accusations of espionage. It goes without saying that any political change in Venezuela should...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (22 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 103, 136, 155 and 159 together. I refer Deputies to my reply to Question No. 76 of today and, in particular with respect to the US facility at Guantanamo, I refer Deputies to the reply I gave earlier to Priority Question No. 58 on this issue. I am not aware of any suggestion that US military aircraft transiting through Irish airports are involved in...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (22 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 105, 122 and 149 together. The Government attaches the highest priority to the issue of the undocumented Irish in the United States. We raise our concerns in all of our contacts with US political leaders and emphasise the importance of addressing the situation in a positive and sympathetic way. We appreciate of course that immigration is a highly divisive and...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (22 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 109, 134 and 160 together. I refer Deputies to my reply to Question No. 72 of today. The Government's response to the questionnaire circulated by the secretary general of the Council of Europe, Mr. Terry Davis, issued on Monday, in advance of the deadline set by the secretary general. In its response the Government emphatically answers in the negative the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (22 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: In recent years, Turkey has made significant progress in the adoption of wide-ranging political reforms. Important human rights reforms have been introduced, including in relation to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, and the rights of women. In December 2004, the European Council decided that Turkey sufficiently fulfilled the Copenhagen criteria, including in relation to human...

Written Answers — EU Membership: EU Membership (22 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 130 together. The accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union will mark the completion of the fifth enlargement process, which will increase the Union's membership to 27. The Union's objective is to welcome both countries as members in January 2007, if they are ready to meet the responsibilities and obligations of membership. The...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (22 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I warmly welcome the establishment of the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform. It provides the Irish in the US with a powerful tool to give clear expression to their views on immigration reform. I hope to meet representatives from the organisation at the next available opportunity. The Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, ILIR, was established in New York last December. It is mobilising...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (22 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: A formal decision on Government representation at St. Patrick's Day celebrations overseas has yet to be taken. In deciding on ministerial travel commitments, the Government will seek to maximise opportunities for showcasing Ireland as a world class economy and tourism destination. The St. Patrick's Day festival offers a unique opportunity for Ministers to promote modern Ireland and to enhance...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (22 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 129 together. Ireland, along with our EU partners, continues to emphasise to the Government of Ethiopia, most recently in a meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr. Meles Zenawi, on 17 January 2006, the need to respect human rights and the rule of law, to strengthen the democratisation process by opening a non-conditional dialogue with all opposition...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (22 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 165 together. Ireland takes a consistently strong position on Burma in relevant bilateral contacts, in the European Union framework and at the United Nations. Together with our EU partners, we avail of all opportunities to condemn the abuse of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Burma and deplore the lack of progress towards democracy. Our goal...

Written Answers — Nuclear Disarmament Initiative: Nuclear Disarmament Initiative (22 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: There is no reform process, as such, under way in respect of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, NPT. Review conferences take place every five years, however, and afford an opportunity to review the implementation of the treaty and all its provisions. The next scheduled NPT review conference will take place in 2010 and will be preceded by a series of preparatory meetings...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (22 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 381 of 31 January 2006 which was as follows. The Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 established an independent process for consideration of freedom of information, FOI, requests. As I have no role in relation to how the provisions of the Acts are applied in specific instances, it would be inappropriate for me to discuss the detail of...

Written Answers — Official Travel: Official Travel (22 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: During the next six months, I will have a number of EU related engagements including meetings of the General Affairs and External Relations Council, GAERC, the informal meeting of EU Ministers for Foreign Affairs and the meetings of the European Council scheduled for March and June. I will, of course, continue to meet representatives of the British Government and with all of the parties...

Written Answers — Irish Community Abroad: Irish Community Abroad (22 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Maintaining and strengthening links with Irish communities abroad is a key priority of my Department. Ireland's diplomatic missions and consular offices are dedicated to the pursuit of Ireland's interests and a central area of their responsibilities is attending to the needs and interests of local Irish communities. In the course of their representational and promotional work, our diplomats...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (22 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 145 together. The democratic elections which were held in Iraq on 15 December 2005 marked the start of the final phase in the political process for the reconstruction of Iraq, which was set out by the UN Security Council in Resolution 1546 of June 2004. The new parliament and government will be fully sovereign and mandated for a four-year term. The...

Written Answers — UN Security Council Reform: UN Security Council Reform (22 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: At the UN 2005 World Summit, world leaders reaffirmed the primary responsibility of the Security Council for the maintenance of international peace and security. Despite the absence of agreement on reform of the Security Council in the run up to the summit, they unanimously supported its early reform and asked the General Assembly to review progress by the end of 2005. On 10-11 November 2005,...