Results 1,941-1,960 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Social Partnership. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: He did not want people to own their own homes.

Foreign Conflicts. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 41 together. I share the deep concern of Deputies about the situation in Iraq. The level of sectarian violence has been increasing in recent months with terrible consequences for ordinary Iraqi citizens. For well over a year, armed groups based in the Sunni community have engaged openly in sectarian attacks on Shia and Kurdish civilians. The cynical aim...

Foreign Conflicts. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I accept the Deputy's comments on the length of reply. This is primarily a matter for the UN Security Council which authorised the payment of these funds into the development fund for Iraq. It established the International Advisory and Monitoring Board for Iraq to examine these allegations.

Foreign Conflicts. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The body and its auditors, KPMG, have drawn attention to the lack of control over expenditure. These allegations relate to the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority's time in power. It has been dissolved and the administration of the funds has been transferred to the new Iraqi Government. So far no allegations have been made against that government of misappropriation or misuse of funds. The...

Foreign Conflicts. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The argument of whether the horrendous loss of life in Iraq should be defined as "civil war" is semantic. There is a concerted effort to drag the country into a sustained period of civil strife. Despite the killings, several religious and political leaders have been restrained in their responses to them. Efforts are continuing to draw together a broadly-based Iraqi Government but it has not...

Foreign Conflicts. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The answer is "No". The priority must be to get a government which is supported by all sides.

Foreign Conflicts. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The UN Security Council has responsibility for this matter. Any information concerning the improper use of funds must be transmitted to the monitoring board. We did not raise this issue with the President when we met him recently, although we did raise the unfortunate and difficult situation in Iraq. It is important to emphasise what has happened there over recent years. There has been a huge...

Middle East Peace Process. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I have been closely following the developments since last week's general elections in Israel. I offer my congratulations to acting Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, on the success of his party, Kadima, which is now the largest party in the Knesset. It seems clear that he and other Israeli political leaders will need some time to negotiate the formation of a new coalition government. The Irish...

Middle East Peace Process. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: No.

Middle East Peace Process. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: In his initial statements, the acting Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Olmert, indicated that he looks forward to dealing with the Palestinians on the basis of negotiations. Through the EU, the Irish Government has always made it known strongly that the transfer by Israel of its own population into occupied territory is in breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention. The situation is that such...

Middle East Peace Process. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: In answer to Deputy Michael D. Higgins, the EU could break off all discussions with Israel on the basis of what that country is doing. I fully accept what the Deputy stated about its extension into occupied territories. It is incumbent on the EU and the international community to exhort Israel. The comments made by acting Prime Minister, Mr. Olmert, and the non-violence so far of Hamas...

Middle East Peace Process. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy should let me finish. He has got himself into a froth. It is not correct to state the EU should break off relationships with Israel. A number of association agreements with Israel exist, as does the neighbourhood action plan. These allow us the authority to raise issues on the basis we are all on the one side in dealing with Israel through normal bilateral arrangements between a...

Middle East Peace Process. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: ——and the wall. I do not think the Deputy suggests——

Middle East Peace Process. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: ——we should in some way break off the normal type of other——

Middle East Peace Process. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy stated the EU entered into customs relationships——

Middle East Peace Process. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: There is. The Deputy should check the record.

Middle East Peace Process. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I disagree with the Deputy.

Emigrant Issues. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 40 together. The Government attaches the highest priority to the welfare of the undocumented Irish in the United States, and takes every opportunity in contacts with US political leaders to emphasise the importance of addressing the matter in a constructive and sympathetic way. As Deputies are aware, the debate in the US on immigration reform has...

Emigrant Issues. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: They do not. During our meeting with President Bush on St. Patrick's Day we spent more time discussing other issues than the undocumented Irish. We know the President's position on the undocumented Irish. I understand from our contacts that he was very helpful this week in trying to progress the debate positively. He clearly stated the Administration and Congress would not wear an amnesty. We...

Emigrant Issues. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I will not retract anything in that article. I too am a political animal and I will portray my side on this issue.