Results 1,881-1,900 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (21 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: It has been the policy of successive Irish Governments to limit recognition to states and not formally to recognise governments. Diplomatic relations were established between Ireland and Cuba in 1999. Our ambassador in Mexico City is accredited to Cuba. In 2001, Cuba established an embassy in Dublin which, since October 2005, has been headed by a resident ambassador. I understand that in July...

Written Answers — Children's Rights: Children's Rights (21 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The alleged abduction of children referred to by the Deputy is being addressed by the Irish Central Authority for Child Abduction and by my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell. I understand that judicial proceedings in the matter, under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, have been initiated. Accordingly, the...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (21 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The application will be considered by the interdepartmental advisory committee on the reconciliation fund when it next meets to consider its recommendations to me regarding funding. That is likely to be in early April. The group will be informed in writing once a decision has been made regarding the application.

Leaders' Questions. (22 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy should check the resolution. He should check the facts.

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

Dermot Ahern: I am one of the nine foreign affairs ministers who have not received such letters. Ireland is one of a minority of only nine countries, of the 46-strong membership of the Council of Europe, whose replies in this matter have been adjudged to be sufficiently comprehensive not to require further clarification. As I have stated in this House on numerous occasions, and as the Government makes...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (22 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I have not received representations from, nor had meetings with, representatives of the Open Republic Institute.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (22 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The application in question was received by the Irish Embassy in Kuala Lumpur in early February and was referred to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on 9 February for decision. The embassy has been informed that the application was refused and will notify this decision immediately to the applicant. Visa refusals may be appealed within two months by writing to the visa...

Leaders' Questions. (28 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Will the Deputy listen? He should calm down.

Leaders' Questions. (28 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Will the Deputy tell his people to shut up.

Leaders' Questions. (28 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: He was not interrupted. It was raiméis.

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (28 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I travelled to the United States from 11 to 17 March to represent the Government at promotional events in Dallas before attending the customary St. Patrick's Day ceremonies in Washington. On 17 March, I accompanied the Taoiseach to the White House for the traditional presentation of shamrock, followed by a meeting with President Bush in the Oval Office. Our discussions with the President...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (28 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Government attaches the highest priority to the status of the undocumented Irish in the United Sates, and takes every opportunity in contacts with US political leaders to emphasise the importance of addressing the matter in a constructive and sympathetic manner. The Taoiseach and I availed fully of the valuable opportunity of our St. Patrick's Day discussions to convey our concern in this...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (28 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: On Easter Sunday, 16 April 2006, I will attend the military parade in Dublin to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Easter Rising.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (28 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I share the concerns expressed at the conditions in which many displaced families from minority Roma and other communities are still living in Kosovo and in neighbouring regions of Serbia. The conditions in which Roma families are living in northern Kosovo, including the effect on their health of emissions from a toxic waste dump in the area, are particularly poor. The Special Representative...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (28 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The applications referred to by the Deputy were refused on 16 March by our embassy in Beijing on the grounds that the embassy did not believe that the applicants would abide by the conditions of their visas, if granted. Visa refusals may be appealed within 28 days of the date of decision at the embassy in Beijing, or within two months of the date of decision to the Department of Justice...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (28 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed that the visa application in question was approved by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on 23 March. Details of the Deputy's specific request regarding the issuing of the visa have been passed to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform for the required follow-up. That Department has also been asked to make contact with the Deputy to confirm the...

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

Dermot Ahern: As stated previously, the development of an on-line passport application service is the subject of ongoing discussions with Reach with a view to agreeing the infrastructure, the time schedule and the costs which are likely to be involved. In this regard, it was first necessary to complete the development and installation of the new passport system before full consideration of the project. In...

Written Answers — Pre-Clearance Facilities at State Airports: Pre-Clearance Facilities at State Airports (28 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Irish citizens travelling to the United States are best facilitated by the provision of pre-clearance facilities at our airports. This is particularly so in view of the large rise in the number of Irish citizens travelling to the United States, and also given the current security climate in relation to international air travel. The present system of pre-clearance at Dublin and Shannon...

Seanad: Shot at Dawn Campaign: Statements. (28 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I very much welcome this timely debate on a very important issue, particularly for the families of those unjustly executed. This year marks the 90th anniversaries of the Easter Rising and the Battle of the Somme. For too long, the experiences of lrishmen who fought in the First World War, and the losses suffered by their families, were not talked about or commemorated as they deserved. In...

Seanad: Shot at Dawn Campaign: Statements. (28 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I thank the Senators for the views expressed. It is clear from all they stated that there is cross-party support in this House, and I have no doubt in the other House, on this issue. My predecessor, Deputy Cowen, originally agreed to examine the issue and raise it with the British, mainly through the efforts of Peter Mulvany and his people. As a result of meetings that took place when I took...