Results 1,821-1,840 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

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

Dermot Ahern: Ireland currently has diplomatic relations with Venezuela on a non-residential basis. The ambassador to Mexico is also accredited to Venezuela. Ireland also has an honorary consul in Caracas. The opening of missions abroad is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis. As I believe the Deputy will appreciate, constraints on Government expenditure mean that any expansion of our...

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

Dermot Ahern: On 8 December, the detention in Syria of the person referred to by the Deputy, and his proposed deportation to Tunisia, was first brought to the attention of my Department. The Irish Embassy in Cairo immediately instructed the honorary consul in Damascus to inquire about his case and to ascertain whether he was subject to a deportation order. The embassy also requested the honorary consul to...

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

Dermot Ahern: There are several dimensions to the action being taken with regard to the potential development of a nuclear capability by Iran. There is an ongoing investigation by the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, to clarify the nature and scope of Iran's nuclear programme, certain aspects of which had not been declared, contrary to its obligations under the safeguards agreement with the...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (22 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Government and its partners in the EU remain seriously concerned at Israeli activities in the occupied territories, including the building of settlements, house demolitions and continuing construction of the separation barrier on occupied land. These activities are contrary to international law and to obligations under the quartet roadmap. They threaten to undermine a solution based on...

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

Dermot Ahern: The issue of any possible role for the Government in assisting the development of a conflict resolution process in the Basque country is a matter for the Spanish Government to decide. We have not been approached with such a request. Although I have no reason to believe such a request will be forthcoming, the Government would be willing to offer support in any way deemed helpful by the Spanish...

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

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Deputy Gregory to Priority Question No. 61. The House will be aware of the support the Government has given to the Finucane family in their long campaign for an independent public inquiry into the murder of Patrick Finucane. We fully agree with them on the need for a public inquiry as recommended by Judge Peter Cory. As the Deputy is aware, the British...

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

Dermot Ahern: The report issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, UNHCHR, on Colombia on 20 January 2006 states that while a number of indicators of violence at the national level continue to show a downward trend, the human rights situation in Colombia remains problematic. There are credible reports of extra-judicial executions, forced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, torture...

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

Dermot Ahern: With the opening of new missions in Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Romania and Vietnam in the latter half of last year, Ireland now maintains a network of 55 embassies, six multilateral missions and 13 consulates general overseas. As I believe the Deputy will appreciate, any expansion of our diplomatic network can only be undertaken having regard to clear priorities. However, and while...

Written Answers — Democratisation Process: Democratisation Process (22 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The transition process inaugurated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC, under the 2002 Sun City peace accords is due to conclude formally on 30 June 2006. Over the course of the past four years, major strides have been made in re-establishing a democratic and effective system of government in the DRC. The transitional national Government and Parliament have operated effectively since...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 247 together. Following the Ukrainian people's choice of democracy and reform in the presidential elections of late 2004, Ireland took steps to strengthen bilateral links with Ukraine through increased contact at political level. My visit to Ukraine in July last year and Foreign Minister Tarasyuk's return visit here on 7-8 February constituted the...

Written Answers — International Terrorism: International Terrorism (22 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: My colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, is primarily responsible for the integrity and security of the State. He oversees the assessments which the Garda Síochána makes and the operational measures which it takes in relation to terrorism. In addition, as a member of the EU's Justice and Home Affairs Council, he participates in the taking of decisions and the...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (23 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The current legislative debate on immigration reform in the US Congress involves differing approaches and strongly held opinions. Some members of Congress, for example, are strongly opposed to any proposals which would allow undocumented people the opportunity to regularise their status. Another point of divergence surrounds discussion of the length of time which bearers of a new category of...

Written Answers — Illegal Immigrants: Illegal Immigrants (28 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I am acutely aware of the stressful burden which their undocumented status places on many of our citizens in the United States and on their families at home. On all my visits to the United States I have met a wide range of Irish community groups and interests and have heard first-hand of the difficulties being faced by the undocumented. In this regard officials of our embassy in Washington...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (28 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The allegations referred to by the Deputy, concerning one of the individuals who carried out the Greysteel murders, are a serious matter. The Government has raised this issue with the British Government through the British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat in Belfast, and my officials will continue to monitor developments closely.

Written Answers — Departmental Advertising: Departmental Advertising (28 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The total expenditure on print advertising at the Department of Foreign Affairs in 2005, including Vote 28, Foreign Affairs, and Vote 29, International Cooperation, was €242,675. This amount includes advertising in national newspapers, as well as in other print media. In the timeframe available, it is not possible to provide the Deputy with a detailed breakdown of the amounts paid to...

Written Answers — Justice and Reconciliation Commission: Justice and Reconciliation Commission (28 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The establishment by King Mohammed VI in January 2004 of the Commission of Justice and Reconciliation was a courageous initiative, unprecedented in the region, to investigate human rights abuses in the period from 1956 to 1999. The commission successfully initiated a vigorous public debate in Morocco on the difficult legacy of that era. It presented a very substantial report to the King in...

Written Answers — Irish Overseas: Irish Overseas (28 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: In the consular case referred to by the Deputy, the court judgment permitted the Irish citizens to be released from prison under "conditional freedom", on payment of a bond. My Department, at the request of the defence team and given the ongoing consular concerns of the Department about the safety of the persons concerned, advanced the funds to facilitate the payment of this bond, on the...

Written Answers — Illegal Immigrants: Illegal Immigrants (28 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: There is a range of non-immigrant visa categories under which eligible foreign nationals can apply for permission to work in the United States. In 2004, for example, over 18,000 Irish citizens obtained temporary working visas. Many of these were sponsored by their employers. Young people availing of the J1 visa programme are also included in this number. In addition to these general visa...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (28 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to the answer which I provided to Deputy Gilmore on 21 February last. The waiving of the passport fee for senior citizens, which I introduced with effect from 1 August last, was to further recognise the life-long contribution to society of our senior citizens. It builds upon the existing free public transport, TV licence, phone and electricity schemes for older people. All...

Written Answers — PAN African Parliament: PAN African Parliament (28 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Pan-African Parliament, PAP, was established under Article 5 of the Constitutive Act of the African Union as one of the key organs of the union. It was inaugurated in Addis Ababa on 18 March 2004. It will initially function as a consultative and advisory body with the eventual aim of exercising full legislative powers. Promotion of good governance and the principles of human rights and...