Results 13,161-13,180 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: He enjoys the confidence of the public as well.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (21 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy will be aware, the European Union's 1996 Common Position on Cuba remains the basis of both the European Union's and Ireland's approach to relations with that country. The overriding objective of Ireland and our European Union partners, including Spain, in our relations with Cuba is to encourage, but not to enforce by external coercion, a process of transition to pluralist...

Written Answers — Ministerial Contacts: Ministerial Contacts (21 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: On 17 February, the Kosovo Assembly adopted a resolution which declared Kosovo to be "a democratic, secular and multi-ethnic republic, guided by the principles of non-discrimination and equal protection under the law". It undertook to implement the obligations set out in the Ahtisaari proposal for a final status settlement, emphasising "those that protect and promote the rights of...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (20 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Please find detailed below figures relating to the Freedom of Information Requests processed by my Department on an annual basis. The figures relate to the period from April 1998, which is when the legislation came into operation. 1998 (April-Dec) 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 (to date) 71 156 153 127 130 95 45 41 49 43 10 In addition, to the requests detailed above,...

Written Answers — Official Vehicles: Official Vehicles (20 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: At present, there are three vans in use by my Department in Dublin. These are Nissan Primastar vans, each with a diesel engine with a capacity of 1870cc. In the time available it has not been possible to compile a complete list of the Department's official vehicles abroad. However, I would point out that, since the beginning of 2006, carbon emissions have been taken into account in vehicle...

Written Answers — Manchester Martyrs: Manchester Martyrs (19 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Excellent and painstaking research by a number of independent groups and individuals continues in an effort to identify the precise location of the remains of Michael Larkin, William O'Brien and William Allen, known collectively as the Manchester Martyrs. Following their hanging on 23 November 1867, the remains of the three men were buried in Strangeways prison. To facilitate construction...

Written Answers — Percent for Art Scheme: Percent for Art Scheme (19 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 358 together. Please find below information relating to the capital construction projects funded by my Department and, related to those projects, the amount spent on artworks for each year since 2002 to date in 2008. The artworks in question are primarily for our 75 Missions abroad. Year Capital Construction Projects Artwork Purchased € 2002...

Written Answers — Financial Management Systems: Financial Management Systems (19 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: My Department has two financial management systems in operation, one for Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and one for Vote 29 (International Cooperation). There are two systems in place as the financial management of the two is kept separate, to take account of different requirements and, in particular, the specific needs of the aid programme. Both systems are versions of SUN software. They are...

Written Answers — Conflict Resolution: Conflict Resolution (19 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: It is my firm view that if Ireland is to play a more active role in international conflict prevention and resolution, it will be necessary to mobilise the conflict resolution expertise that already exists in the country. Placing our experts within international agencies or in conflict related programmes and projects will allow Ireland to extend its reach on conflict resolution and contribute...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (19 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Passport applications forwarded by members of the Oireachtas (Dáil and Seanad) are processed by a section of the passport office. This section also processes applications forwarded by, for instance, the Health Services Executive for children in their care. In 2007, and following further checking of our records, a total of 6,326 applications were identified as having been processed through...

Written Answers — Equity Stake: Equity Stake (19 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: My Department does not hold an equity stake in any companies.

Written Answers — Offaly Regeneration Company: Offaly Regeneration Company (19 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Offaly Regeneration Company Ltd was established in May 2000. The purpose of the company is to promote and advance economic and social development generally in the Midland region, and, in particular, in County Offaly, including through close co-operation with partner bodies in the US, Canada and Northern Ireland. It is a registered company, with no share capital and limited by the...

Written Answers — Regulatory Authorities: Regulatory Authorities (19 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: There are no regulators or regulatory authorities operating under the aegis or responsibility of my Department.

Written Answers — Consular Services: Consular Services (14 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy will be aware from my reply to him of 27 September 2007, my Department has provided extensive consular assistance to the family of the person concerned since his tragic death in Lanzarote on 1 August 2007. Officials from our Consular Section, our Embassy in Madrid and our Honorary Consulate in Lanzarote have maintained direct contact with the family and have assisted in making...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (13 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Under the Government's decentralisation programme, the Development Cooperation Directorate of the Department of Foreign Affairs, which is Irish Aid's Headquarters, will decentralise to Limerick. Good progress has been made and personnel have either been assigned to, or identified for, 103 posts or approximately 83% of the 124 posts scheduled to be decentralised. An advance party staff has...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (13 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Atlantic Corridor project is a transatlantic, cross-border initiative designed to encourage the economic and social advancement of the regions of the participating partners. These are: Atlantic Corridor, USA, Inc, the Niagara Economic and Tourism Corporation, the Atlantic Corridor, Northern Ireland (covering the area of the Lower Bann), and Atlantic Corridor, Ireland (covering the...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (13 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Cultural Relations Committee was established in 1949 to advise the Minister for Foreign (then External) Affairs on support for cultural projects, 'with a view to the enhancement of Ireland's image and reputation abroad, and the promotion of friendly relations and of mutual knowledge and understanding with other countries'. In 2001 agreement was reached between the Minister for Arts,...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (13 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The nature and scale of capital projects being undertaken by my Department has not required it to engage any full time specialists in the area of information technology procurement and capital project evaluation and management. As my Department has a full-time procurement management officer, there has not to date been a business need to second IT procurement specialists from the private sector.

Written Answers — Compulsory Purchase Orders: Compulsory Purchase Orders (13 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The management of the business of my Department does not require it to use compulsory purchase orders.

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (12 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: As Deputies will be aware, I have strongly condemned the bomb attacks in two markets in Baghdad on 1 February, which took the lives of some 73 people and wounded as many as 200 others. Iraqi police reports stated that the bombs were carried by two women believed to have been suffering from disabilities. Other reports specified Downs Syndrome, but it is not clear that the specific disability...