Results 701-720 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

EU Treaty. (3 Jul 2007)

Dick Roche: My view and the view of the Government is the same as that expressed by President Barroso. Arrangements were agreed in the Council and it would be very unwise for a member state to try to reverse them.

EU Treaty. (3 Jul 2007)

Dick Roche: One of the key purposes of the reform treaty, which is due to be finalised by the end of the year in accordance with the Intergovernmental Conference, IGC, mandate agreed by the European Council, will be to enhance the democratic legitimacy of the Union and to strengthen its institutions, including the European Parliament. The treaty will give considerable additional influence to the...

EU Treaty. (3 Jul 2007)

Dick Roche: As I stated and Deputy Higgins presaged, the CFSP, by its nature, will remain substantially intergovernmental. With regard to the Deputy's final point, as I acknowledged in my role of Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs in the previous Government, Javier Solana has established an extremely good relationship with the European Parliament.

EU Treaty. (3 Jul 2007)

Dick Roche: On the issue of the link with national parliaments, the chairs of foreign affairs and defence committees of national parliaments meet every six months. This is a good process which could be developed in the Union. It is a matter for national parliaments, including the Oireachtas, to take a more active interest in the relevant issues and deal with the specific concerns raised by the Deputy.

EU Treaty. (3 Jul 2007)

Dick Roche: As the Deputy knows well from all I have said and written over the years on this issue, it is very much a matter for each individual parliament and parliamentary committees to establish accountability. However, I make the general point that there is provision for much more intensive links with the European Parliament in the reform treaty.

Middle East Peace Process. (3 Jul 2007)

Dick Roche: Before turning to the situation in the West Bank and Gaza, I would like to emphasise our continuing strong support for the sovereignty and independence of Lebanon, and for its democratically-elected Government, a sentiment which I believe is shared on all sides of the House. The recent violence, in an already tense political situation, is a reminder of the dangers of instability in Lebanon....

Middle East Peace Process. (3 Jul 2007)

Dick Roche: The Deputy raises two separate issues. First, the most practical example of support for the Government in Palestine is the €320 million which the Union has provided. In so far as the Government is concerned, we increased our assistance to the Palestinians by 40% last year to €6.4 million. The Deputy made a passing reference to the withholding of tax moneys by the Israeli authorities....

Middle East Peace Process. (3 Jul 2007)

Dick Roche: ——and there has been a transfer, which I believe took place yesterday, which is late in the day. I agree with the Deputy it was disgraceful, but thankfully it is now over. On 27 June the Taoiseach assured Mr. Tony Blair of his full support for his efforts in the Middle East. We personally strongly support the appointment which is a good one. We wish him well.

Middle East Peace Process. (3 Jul 2007)

Dick Roche: Following consultations, High Representative Solana and the Foreign Minister of Germany representing the European Union, the US Secretary of State, the Foreign Affairs Minister of Russia, the UN Secretary General and members of the Quartet announced the appointment. Therefore, the European Union was represented by High Representative Solana and the Presidency.

Middle East Peace Process. (3 Jul 2007)

Dick Roche: That misrepresents what I said. The European Union was represented, as it is in all these matters, by the Presidency and High Representative Solana.

Foreign Conflicts. (3 Jul 2007)

Dick Roche: The Government continues to be deeply concerned about the crisis in Darfur and its spillover into neighbouring territory in Chad and the Central African Republic. We are pursuing all avenues to support international efforts to address the grave humanitarian, political and security challenges faced there. On the ground in Darfur the humanitarian situation remains very difficult. Civilians,...

Foreign Conflicts. (3 Jul 2007)

Dick Roche: I agree wholeheartedly with the Deputy. There seems to be an extraordinary delay in concluding these issues. Diplomacy involves excessive discussion of the issues and one can only hope this will produce action. The generally accepted view is that action is needed, rather than further discussions in New York. Speed is of the essence.

Foreign Conflicts. (3 Jul 2007)

Dick Roche: On the last point, as we have received no request, that matter has not been discussed. The European Union and the Government have implemented a range of arms embargoes on Sudan since 1994. Over the past few months the Foreign Ministers have repeatedly emphasised their readiness to consider further measures, within the UN framework, against the party which obstructs towards the AU-UN hybrid...

Foreign Conflicts. (3 Jul 2007)

Dick Roche: The general view is that China's role could be a very positive one. Its involvement seems to be benign at present and could be very helpful. There is no doubt it can play a positive role in that area.

Foreign Conflicts. (3 Jul 2007)

Dick Roche: The rationale for the establishment of the conflict resolution unit, and its broad objectives, were set out in the Government's White Paper on Irish Aid, which was published last September. The unit was set up last autumn and is leading work within the Department of Foreign Affairs, in conjunction with Irish Aid and the Anglo-Irish division, on the preparation of a detailed draft initial...

Foreign Conflicts. (3 Jul 2007)

Dick Roche: As I mentioned in my reply, work is being done in this regard in two sections in the Department. The Deputy raised a very interesting question on the establishment of the consultative group on the past. We are at a new and positive stage in the political process in Northern Ireland. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, has welcomed the announcement of the consultative...

Foreign Conflicts. (3 Jul 2007)

Dick Roche: The Deputy is being very creative in slipping in that question. He knows the view of the Government in that regard.

Foreign Conflicts. (3 Jul 2007)

Dick Roche: I agree but he is being creative in introducing an additional issue and it is not particularly helpful. Rather than be negative we should be positive. Now that the consultative group on the past is under way it will be able to look at many issues.

Foreign Conflicts. (3 Jul 2007)

Dick Roche: The Deputy knows well that the answer is in the affirmative.

Foreign Conflicts. (3 Jul 2007)

Dick Roche: The Government has repeatedly indicated its concerns about bringing the concerns of the Finucane family to finality on this.