Results 821-840 of 2,770 for speaker:Bernard Allen

Middle East Peace Process. (3 Jul 2007)

Bernard Allen: We had no input and were not consulted. It is obvious from the Minister of State's response that there was no consultation with the Government and that its attitude is moulded by that of the Quartet.

Foreign Conflicts. (3 Jul 2007)

Bernard Allen: Question 86: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs about the humanitarian situation in Darfur; when the full peacekeeping force will be in place; the latest contact his Department has had with the Government of Sudan and surrounding countries in respect of the crisis situation there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18776/07]

Foreign Conflicts. (3 Jul 2007)

Bernard Allen: The situation in Sudan is appalling — hundreds of thousands have been killed, 3 million are displaced and depend on humanitarian aid, and security is needed. The Minister of State said discussions were taking place at the United Nations about the hybrid force on which the United Nations, the African Union and the Sudanese Government agreed. Surely it is time for action. As the days pass...

Foreign Conflicts. (3 Jul 2007)

Bernard Allen: While the talking continues, what is the situation regarding the embargo to be imposed on the Sudanese Government? Has this been forgotten? What input will the Government have in formulating the hybrid force and will Irish troops be involved?

Foreign Conflicts. (3 Jul 2007)

Bernard Allen: Are there any indications of the attitude of China towards this hybrid force? Is there any danger that the Chinese Government will veto moves by the United Nations to set up the force, in view of the interest China has in that part of the world?

Foreign Conflicts. (3 Jul 2007)

Bernard Allen: Question 87: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the establishment of a conflict resolution centre here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18777/07]

Foreign Conflicts. (3 Jul 2007)

Bernard Allen: Have extra staff been taken on and, if so, where will they be located? What connection is there between the sub-unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs and the group set up in Northern Ireland under the chairmanship of Lord Robin Eames and Mr. Denis Bradley? What is the Minister's view of the latter group and its membership? Does the Government intend to support in any way the body of...

Foreign Conflicts. (3 Jul 2007)

Bernard Allen: How does all this excellent work, to be done over the coming months, sit with the refusal of the British Government to hold an inquiry into the assassination of Mr. Finucane?

Foreign Conflicts. (3 Jul 2007)

Bernard Allen: It is relevant.

Foreign Conflicts. (3 Jul 2007)

Bernard Allen: That is a disgraceful attitude. This matter will not go away and it is not good enough to say it is not helpful to raise it. The reluctance of the British Government to have an inquiry undermines the credibility of much other work being done in that part of the world. I will ask the question again. Has the Government made a protest to the British Government about its refusal to have a...

Foreign Conflicts. (3 Jul 2007)

Bernard Allen: I do not.

Foreign Conflicts. (3 Jul 2007)

Bernard Allen: It is not being very effective.

Middle East Peace Process. (3 Jul 2007)

Bernard Allen: The Minister of State may have been in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government at the time but he should not try to rewrite history. This Government was party to a disgraceful decision made after the free and open elections in Palestine——

Middle East Peace Process. (3 Jul 2007)

Bernard Allen: I will, yes. In 2006, it was party to a decision to terminate payments and support aid to the Palestinian Authority because of the presence of Hamas. Will the Minister of State agree that that decision was short-sighted, that it led to an appalling humanitarian situation in Palestine, strengthened the hand of Hamas and has effectively driven Fatah out of the Gaza region? Those were the...

Middle East Peace Process. (3 Jul 2007)

Bernard Allen: No.

Middle East Peace Process. (3 Jul 2007)

Bernard Allen: The love-in between the Minister of State and Deputy McGrath is much to be admired. It shows that Deputy McGrath has already been politically neutered.

Middle East Peace Process. (3 Jul 2007)

Bernard Allen: The Minister may not be familiar with his brief yet but will he accept that the fact that payments to the Palestinian Authority were delayed and stopped meant that payments to 140,000 Palestinian Authority workers were curtailed, resulting in major hardship to those people and their families? Will he accept that was a wrong decision taken at the wrong time and that it drove the Palestinian...

Middle East Peace Process. (3 Jul 2007)

Bernard Allen: It was not hindsight; it was said at the time.

Middle East Peace Process. (3 Jul 2007)

Bernard Allen: It is on the record of this House.

Foreign Conflicts. (3 Jul 2007)

Bernard Allen: In view of the reports coming out of Darfur on the tragedy, does the Minister of State expect the hybrid force to be in place by, say, August or September? Will it be in place at all this year? What are the main difficulties, aside from funding?