Results 601-620 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

International Crises. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: International observers were present in Wicklow to keep an eye on the Deputy and me last year during the election campaign.

International Crises. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: If we insist on observation missions elsewhere, we should accept observers. The situation is not entirely bleak. President Mwanawasa of Zambia displayed leadership on the issue of arms, which was a positive step forward. Previously that was not there. However, as both Deputies said, it would be very welcome if the neighbouring countries strengthened their activities. This issue also...

Human Rights Issues. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 8, 9, 29, 35, 44, 46 and 51 together. The Government remains deeply concerned by the situation in Tibet. I have already outlined in my earlier answer the Government's stance on Tibet, which the Minister, through statements and through the Department's ongoing contacts with the Chinese authorities, has sought to address. Regarding the opening ceremony of...

Human Rights Issues. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: The Deputy is correct that it would be very helpful to the entire international community. I visited China recently and I know the extraordinary importance which the ordinary Chinese, let alone the Chinese official and government agencies, attach to the Beijing Olympic Games and to the Olympic events taking place in other parts of China. There is a real excitement on the streets and it is a...

Human Rights Issues. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: I agree with the Deputy that dialogue must move beyond the pro forma. I also agree that reports of what is or is not happening in Tibet are by their nature, because there is no international observance, ones in which one cannot place much credibility. This is a tragedy and it is not in China's interest that this should continue to be the case. As the Deputy said, there were disputes as to...

Human Rights Issues. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: I take all the points the Deputy makes. With regard to the General Affairs and External Relations Council, as the Deputy knows, I was engaged on the Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill in this House and did not attend. A wide-ranging discussion always takes place on the issues of the moment and I have no doubt that was done. I agree that while individual hand-wringing may make...

United Nations Reform. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: The UN World Summit held in September 2005 agreed a package of UN reforms which, while not as complete as might have been hoped, represented an important advance. My colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, contributed to the summit outcome in his role as one of the five special envoys appointed by former Secretary General Annan to support his recommendations for change aimed at...

United Nations Reform. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: I agree with the general point the Deputy makes. I have taken a personal interest in the United Nations over many years and there can be no doubt whatsoever that if there was ever a body that needed reform, the UN is it. I also tend to agree with the Deputy on the issue of appointments. The permanent members have a disproportionate influence. I well remember that in 1978, when I was a...

United Nations Reform. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: Deputy Higgins above all does not want to damage, nor do I, the only hope the world has. Unfortunately, the lack of reform of the United Nations feeds into a particular scepticism in the United States about an institution in which resides so much hope. I will return to the Deputy on other specific points in writing.

Human Rights Issues. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: The Minister met the Chinese ambassador on 16 April regarding the situation in Tibet. During the meeting, which took place in a sensitive atmosphere, the Minister set out the Government's policy on the situation in Tibet, as well as on our relations with China as a whole. The Minister also raised the effects on Irish business people and tourists of the introduction of new Chinese visa...

Human Rights Issues. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: I cannot give an opinion on what happened following the statement made by the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I will communicate separately with the Deputy on that issue. The issue in Tibet is very complex and sometimes we form stereotypical views on it in the West, which is not helpful. I was in China for St. Patrick's Day and the dearth of information there made...

Human Rights Issues. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: A final decision has not been taken on the issue of the opening ceremony. Discussion on this issue in Europe is ongoing, and different views have been taken. I am pleased that the Deputy focused on this aspect rather than an argument for boycotting the games. I agree with him that the contacts with China should include issues such as the admission to Tibet of the international media and...

Human Rights Issues. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: The Government is deeply worried about the ongoing situation in Zimbabwe. We believe that the democratic rights of the Zimbabwean people have been violated by the unacceptable failure to release presidential election results over a month after votes were cast. We condemn utterly the appalling violence and intimidation against opposition supporters and civil society activists in Zimbabwe,...

Human Rights Issues. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: I have no difficulty in agreeing with the Deputy on that latter point. Human rights abuses are a matter for us all. Human rights are not indivisible but are universal and we should have a care for them. Those of us who have any influence should use it for the vindication of human rights because to trespass on human rights in one part of this planet is to trespass on human rights...

Human Rights Issues. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: Absolutely. If there was any light in what is a tragedy, it was the extraordinary action taken by South African workers to prevent a boat which should never have taken to the seas to arm this regime. There is a practical issue in respect of international observers and observation missions in the case of elections because it very much depends on the agreement of the host country. Frankly,...

World Trade Negotiations. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: We would all accept that a fair and balanced outcome from the WTO talks would be universally beneficial. In recent times there has been intensive activity at ministerial and official level aimed at ensuring that Ireland's concerns are brought to the attention of all the key figures in the negotiations. WTO negotiations are regularly discussed at the General Affairs and External Relations...

World Trade Negotiations. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: I am grateful to the Deputy for that supplementary because it is critical that the truth be told in the debate in the run-up to the referendum. The Deputy can take it that the WTO talks and the Lisbon referendum are not in any way connected. He can also take it that, irrespective of where we are at in our internal referendum, under European law, if and when a decision is made at the WTO...

World Trade Negotiations. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: Absolutely, I give a clear affirmative on that. This matter would have to come back to the Council, where it would have to be unanimously agreed.

Seanad: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Committee Stage. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: There is great wisdom in the point made by Senator Alex White. The current arrangement is specific and unambiguous. The State cannot join a common European defence. The only way this can be changed is by the will of the people as expressed in a referendum. To insert an additional phrase, which could be overegging it, could raise legal questions. There will always be legal arguments as to...

Seanad: Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Committee Stage. (1 May 2008)

Dick Roche: I regret that I must be brief, as I must answer parliamentary questions. I understand Senator Doherty's point on Border counties and will give him an assurance — the issue under discussion is not related to the Schengen Agreement. Rather, it relates to justice and home affairs. Our current position on the agreement is regrettable and relates to the British attitude to it. The last thing...