Results 13,021-13,040 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

European Council Meetings: Statements (9 Apr 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The referendum was not on the agenda of the meeting because the ratification process is ongoing. A number of countries — I believe the figure is six — have ratified the treaty and a further ten will ratify it by the end of May. There were some discussions on the margins of the meeting and, to the best of my recollection, the Taoiseach intervened in an off-the-cuff manner to inform...

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Hear, hear.

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Opposition would have increased the prices.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (8 Apr 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 and 248 together. I am deeply concerned by the situation in Tibet, and deplore the loss of life there and in other regions of China. I continue to keep colleagues in Government fully informed on developments in Tibet and EU discussions of the situation there. On my instructions, senior officials of my Department have since 17 March been in regular contact...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (8 Apr 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Department's filing system is a paper-based one. However, within this context, the use of electronic media is encouraged, as much as possible, where it is appropriate and secure to do so. The Department's own Intranet and internal email is used for the circulation of material and internal communication. There were limited print-runs of the Department's 2006 Annual Report (20 copies)...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (8 Apr 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 241 to 244, inclusive, together. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) was ratified by Ireland on 8 December 1989. An Optional Protocol to this International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (OP-ICESCR), which has been in discussion since 1990, would set up a mechanism that would make it possible for...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Relations: Diplomatic Relations (8 Apr 2008)

Dermot Ahern: At the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) on 18 February, EU Foreign Ministers underlined that Kosovo represented a unique case because of the legacy of the conflict of the 1990s and the fact that it has been under international administration since 1999 as provided for in UN Security Council Resolution 1244. The clear reality is that Serbia effectively lost Kosovo through...

Written Answers — Foreign Elections: Foreign Elections (8 Apr 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The presidential and parliamentary elections in Zimbabwe on 29 March passed off in a peaceful and orderly fashion. Despite serious concerns about the context in which the election was held, and despite the fact that neither the EU nor any of its Member States were invited to observe the election, the people of Zimbabwe showed great courage and determination in casting their votes on polling...

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (8 Apr 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Department promotes energy saving on an ongoing basis. It is participating in the recently launched "Optimising Power @ Work", the Staff Energy Awareness Campaign, which is being led by the Office of Public Works. This initiative, aims to achieve a minimum of 15% reduction in total annual carbon dioxide emissions, through an intensive effort to raise staff energy awareness, promote...

Written Answers — Statutory Instruments: Statutory Instruments (8 Apr 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Statutory Instruments relevant to my Department in respect of the European Communities Act 1972 (as amended), or under legislation specifically relating to same, are generally in the context of providing for institutional changes in the operational framework of the European Union or the accession of new member States to the European Union. The following is a list of Statutory Instruments...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (8 Apr 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The financial resources allocated to Irish Missions abroad, including the Embassy of Ireland in Washington and the Consulates in the United States of America are allocated in line with normal budgetary arrangements and do not involve significant discretionary funding. Decisions on Emigrant Support funding, including for Irish Immigration Centres, are taken by the Minister on the basis of...

Written Answers — Cross-Border Initiatives: Cross-Border Initiatives (8 Apr 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Department of Foreign Affairs has a limited amount of funding at its disposal through the Department's Reconciliation Fund, which is primarily targeted at voluntary organisations involved in community reconciliation work. The purpose of the Fund is to assist organisations involved in reconciliation work and to encourage and facilitate better relations within and between the two traditions...

Cluster Munitions Bill 2008: Second Stage (8 Apr 2008)

Dermot Ahern: If he does not appear I will continue for a further ten minutes as this is an issue about which I am passionate. I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "That" and substitute the following: Dáil Éireann: welcoming the role being played by the Government in international efforts to secure a total prohibition on the production, stockpiling, transfer and use of cluster munitions that...

Cluster Munitions Bill 2008: Second Stage (8 Apr 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to share time with Charlie McCreevy, I mean Deputy Charlie O'Connor. That was a Freudian slip.

Cluster Munitions Bill 2008: Second Stage (8 Apr 2008)

Dermot Ahern: If Deputy O'Connor appears in the Chamber I will give him ten minutes of my time.

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (3 Apr 2008)

Dermot Ahern: There are no State boards or bodies operating under the responsibility of my Department. There are currently four advisory committees and one educational commission which operate under the aegis of my Department. Appointments to these committees are not published in Iris Oifigiúil. The Development Education Advisory Committee was established in 2003 following the recommendations of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (3 Apr 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Passport Office provides a comprehensive range of options for citizens to apply for passports. Applications may be made by express post through some 1,000 post offices across the state and some 70 post offices in Northern Ireland. A guaranteed 10 working day service is available for such applications which are complete and in order. Less urgent applications can also be made by ordinary...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (3 Apr 2008)

Dermot Ahern: My Department, and our Embassy in Beijing, are in close touch with the Olympic Council of Ireland in regard to preparations for the Olympic Games. The Department would be happy to respond to any queries the Council, or individual athletes, may have about human rights in China, or indeed other concerns, including the issue of Tibet. The Government concerns in regard to human rights in China...

Written Answers — Voting Rights: Voting Rights (3 Apr 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The British Government commissioned an independent review of citizenship carried out by former British Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, who issued his report on 11 March. The report, which I would point out is a consultative document, refers to the voting rights of Irish citizens in Britain. The British Government have indicated that it is considering the report in the context of its ongoing...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (3 Apr 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Article 2 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, incorporated in the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act 1967, states that "The establishment of diplomatic relations between States, and of permanent diplomatic missions, takes place by mutual consent". Ireland currently has diplomatic relations with 115 countries of which 55 have resident missions in Dublin, with the remainder...