Results 13,141-13,160 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (4 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The theme of the research undertaken by transition year students from Coláiste Bhríde in Carnew is very relevant. The promotion of gender equality is one of eight Millennium Development Goals agreed by Ireland and other members of the United Nations in 2000. My Department is contributing directly to reaching this Goal through Irish Aid funding for programmes in developing countries to...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (4 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), adopted in the year 2000 as part of the commitments undertaken by Heads of Government at the Millennium Summit, represent a measurable framework for development up to the year 2015. The MDGs are at the heart of our development co-operation programme. Irish Aid's focus on reducing poverty and supporting the provision of basic services to the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (4 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The situation to which the Deputy refers concerns the killing of 45 people which occurred in December 1997 in Acteal, Chiapas State, Mexico, and subsequent convictions on charges of participating in the massacre. I am aware that the Mexican courts are currently considering the appeals of some of this group. I have not raised the matter of these convictions and ongoing appeals with the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (4 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I am deeply concerned by reports of violence against Christian minority communities in Orissa, and particularly by the events which occurred there over the Christmas period. I issued immediate instructions to our Embassy in New Delhi to raise our concerns, shared also by our EU partners, with the Indian authorities. It is important that these events are fully investigated and addressed by...

Written Answers — Inter-Country Adoptions: Inter-Country Adoptions (4 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is responsible for the issuing of UN travel documents. Policy and practice in this regard, including issues associated with the status of a person to whom such a document is issued, are handled by that Department. No new passport application has been received by the Passport Office in respect of the child in question. It is therefore not...

Written Answers — Election Monitoring: Election Monitoring (4 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I remain deeply concerned about the economic hardships and political repression which are affecting the ordinary people of Zimbabwe. Ireland and the EU have supported the process of dialogue between the Zimbabwean Government and the opposition, facilitated by South Africa under a mandate from the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The talks have not formally concluded but, with...

Written Answers — Energy Conservation: Energy Conservation (4 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: My Department promotes energy conservation measures on an ongoing basis. It is participating in the recently launched Optimising Power @ Work, Staff Energy Awareness Campaign being led by the Office of Public Works. This campaign, which will begin in the Department this month, aims to achieve a minimum of 15% reduction in total annual carbon dioxide emissions through an intensive staff energy...

Legislative Programme. (4 Mar 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Deputy Ó Caoláin can rest easy.

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (28 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to the answer given to PQ 29768/07 on 27th November 2007, in which I outlined my views on the potential for Irish engagement in conflict resolution activities in Sri Lanka. The Government would of course be willing to offer advice if sought by relevant parties but there remains little scope to do so in the prevailing situation there. I remain deeply concerned about the...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (28 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Passport Office has no record of such a passport having been issued.

Written Answers — Election Monitoring: Election Monitoring (26 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The situation in Zimbabwe is a matter of deep concern, and I am deeply disappointed and saddened by the way it continues to deteriorate. Ireland and the EU have supported the process of dialogue between the Zimbabwean Government and the opposition, facilitated by South Africa under a mandate from the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The talks have not formally concluded, but...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (26 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: In accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 253 of 1968, which imposed mandatory sanctions on the illegal regime in what was then Southern Rhodesia, new passports, or the renewal of existing ones, were not processed in the period 29 May 1968 to 21 December 1979 to Irish citizens for emigration to Southern Rhodesia nor to those of our citizens residing in Southern Rhodesia...

Written Answers — Departmental Transport: Departmental Transport (26 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The setting of specific minimum requirements for taxis and taxi companies is of course a matter for the Taxi Regulator. Nevertheless, I am advised that 10% of the respective fleets of the two taxi companies used by my Department are accessible to people with disabilities and wheelchair users. The amounts spent on taxi hire by my Department for the period 2003 to date are outlined in the...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (26 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 to 242, inclusive, together. The Department of Foreign Affairs has always sought to be of assistance to Members of the Oireachtas, including in relation to passport applications, and I believe this is widely appreciated. The background to the special facility for passport applications submitted through Oireachtas Members and/or their Offices is that in the...

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Deputy Ring is the biggest hyena.

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Deputy Ring is the loudest one.

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Hear, hear.

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Hear, hear.

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Hear, hear. Absolutely.

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: What did John Bruton do?