Results 13,101-13,120 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (11 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The announcement by Dr Ian Paisley that he will step down as First Minister and DUP Party Leader after the International Investment Conference in May marks, as the Taoiseach has said, a watershed in Irish history. Dr Paisley's contribution as First Minister over the last nine months has been significant and positive. I am certain that he will continue to play an active role as First Minister...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (11 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Government continues to take concerns about human rights in China very seriously. Our concerns are raised on a regular basis in bilateral contacts with the Government of China. Discussions in this regard take place at official level in Dublin and in Beijing. We continue to stress the importance that Ireland attaches to human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, including...

Written Answers — EU Treaties: EU Treaties (11 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The European Commission has not brought forward any draft legislative proposals in respect of a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB). Ireland's position on any initiative in this area is very well-known. We do not see how it would advance European competitiveness or, indeed, how it would assist the general development of European economies. Any move in this direction would be...

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (11 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I attended the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) in Brussels on 10 March. Minister of State John McGuinness also attended. The Council discussed the agenda and draft conclusions for the Spring European Council which will take place on 13-14 March. Among the main issues for discussion at the European Council will be the Lisbon Strategy; Climate change and Energy; and the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (11 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: My Department has recently received a confidential draft of the report of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, Thomas Hammarberg, on his visit here last November. I anticipate that the final report and the response of the Irish Government will be made public by the Commissioner next month.

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (11 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am very concerned about the reported circumstances of this incident. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv last week raised the matter with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and asked that they investigate the circumstances. This incident occurred during a recent visit to the West Bank by a group of Irish people who wished to observe the situation on the ground. There have been a number of such...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (11 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The new Cypriot President, Demetris Christofias, was elected on 25 February 2008, succeeding President Tassos Papadopoulos. Shortly after his victory, the new President indicated that he had contacted the UN Secretary General's Special Representative for Cyprus, Mr Michael Møller, to seek an exploratory meeting with Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat, representing the Turkish Cypriot community, with a...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (11 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: In the period 2005 to 2007 a total of 50 officers from my Department attended three lunchtime talks/courses on Stress Awareness/Managing Pressure at Work. Further such talks are planned for 2008. The purpose of the talks/courses is to raise awareness among employees of the effects of work place stress and to highlight ways of avoiding and managing it. All members of staff at my Department...

Written Answers — Constitutional Amendments: Constitutional Amendments (11 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Government has not yet decided on the precise date for the referendum. That said, I confidently expect that the referendum will take place in late May or early June. The Referendum Bill was initiated last Thursday, 6 March, and the Referendum Commission was established on the same day. The Houses of the Oireachtas will discuss the Bill after the Easter recess, and the Government looks...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (11 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 282 and 283 together. The overall number of undocumented in the United States is estimated at some 12 million and, while it is impossible to be precise on the numbers of undocumented Irish, a figure of around 20,000 to 25,000 probably reflects a reasonable estimate. Official US Government figures estimate the number of undocumented Irish at only 3,000. The...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Relations: Diplomatic Relations (11 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The EU has not yet had the opportunity to engage with Mr Medvedev, who will be inaugurated as President of the Russian Federation on 7 May. President McAleese has sent a message of congratulations and good wishes to him on his election. On behalf of the European Union, the Presidency has expressed the hope that partnership with Russia will be further strengthened and developed...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (11 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 288 and 291 together. On Monday the General Affairs and External Relations Council adopted Conclusions reaffirming the EU's commitment to long-term support for Afghanistan. These make clear our core principles of promoting Afghan leadership, good governance, responsibility and ownership, and fostering the development of a democratic, secure and sustainable...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (11 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The reduction of poverty, hunger and conflict in Africa is one of the most important tasks of the international community in the 21st century. Conflict has many causes and many manifestations, but poverty, inequality and exclusion have proved to be the most fertile breeding grounds for violence and ethnic hatred. Most wars occur in poor countries, and the causes and effect of conflict are...

Written Answers — Drugs Trade: Drugs Trade (11 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Co-operation between the European Union and Latin America in combating the trade in illicit drugs takes place within a well-defined framework, both in terms of policy and institutional mechanisms. EU policy toward illicit drugs is founded on the basic principles adopted under the 1998 Political Declaration of the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGASS), the current EU...

Foreign Conflicts. (11 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am extremely concerned about the appalling levels of violence in Israel and the occupied territories in recent weeks. The Middle East peace process is now at a point of great difficulty. I welcome the significant reduction in violence in recent days and hope all parties will seize this opportunity to restore momentum and credibility to the political process. EU Foreign Ministers focused...

Foreign Conflicts. (11 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The proposed expansion of settlement building in the occupied territories is against the terms of the road map and, in our view, illegal under international law. There is a broad view across the European Union, shared by a number of member states, that to speak with Hamas which has as its principal aim the destruction of the state of Israel and similarly with organisations in our own history...

Foreign Conflicts. (11 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: This matter is under constant discussion at EU level. Pressure is being put on Israel to comply with the commitments made in the road map. Equally, it is important that we engage, as the Deputy mentioned in his earlier supplementary question, with moderate Arab states. Egypt, represented by General Suleiman, has been adept in recent times at achieving discussions with the various sides....

International Agreements. (11 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The reform treaty provides for a more effective European Union across a range of areas and will allow the Union to continue to develop positively, as it has throughout our 35-year membership. A more effective Union will continue to make Ireland an attractive place for foreign direct investment. All member states remain free to determine their own policies in these areas subject to EU rules...

International Agreements. (11 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I agree with the Deputy that this is yet another kite flown by certain people to try to suggest there is something in the treaty which would affect our ability to entice foreign direct investment into Ireland and the European Union. In fact, the exact opposite is the case. The provisions of the treaty are all about the ability of European companies to do business with third countries and...

International Agreements. (11 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: We have set up a website and published in February an easy to read A4 size pamphlet. We have also issued a 22-page plain guide to the treaty, probably one of the best documents available. I suggest everybody receive a copy. Members of the Oireachtas have already received their own copy and we will be supplying copies to them in bulk in the next few days. It is available in English and...