Results 13,221-13,240 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (6 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The Bilateral Economic Relations Division is divided into three sections which deal, respectively, with Asia and North America, the Middle East, Africa and South America, and Europe. The section which deals with Asia and North America is staffed by three officials. The Division works closely with the Embassy Washington, the Consulates in New York, Boston, Chicago and San Francisco, other...

Written Answers — Common Foreign and Security Policy: Common Foreign and Security Policy (6 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The European Union (Scrutiny) Act in 2002 improved the arrangements for scrutiny of EU business by the Dáil and the Seanad. Thanks to the work of the Sub-Committee on European Scrutiny, parliamentary oversight of proposed EU measures has been greatly enhanced. Under the Scrutiny Act, the following measures are subject to scrutiny: regulations or directives; joint actions and common...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (6 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Recent months have seen a further alarming escalation of violence in Sri Lanka, including increasing military operations, suicide attacks and assassinations, with significant numbers of civilian casualties. I utterly condemn the senseless and callous series of terrorist bombings over the last few days in Sri Lanka that have killed some thirty people and injured scores of others. It is vital...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (6 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The so-called charity, Zoe's Ark, was originally established in the aftermath of the 2004 Asian tsunami. In April 2007 it announced, via its website, a campaign to evacuate 10,000 orphans from Darfur. Its website stated the charity wanted to place Darfuri children under five in foster care with French families. The French Foreign Ministry issued a warning about the group in August 2007,...

Written Answers — United Nations Reform: United Nations Reform (6 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The UN World Summit held in September 2005 agreed a package of UN reforms which, while not as complete as might have been hoped, represented an important advance. I was honoured to have contributed to the Summit Outcome in my role as one of the five Envoys appointed by former Secretary-General Annan to support his recommendations for change aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the UN. Key...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (6 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I would refer the Deputy to my written answer of 5 February 2008, regarding this case, in which I stated: I am aware of the arrest of 8 people, including 5 lawyers and the Malaysian citizen under reference, on 9 December 2007 during a protest to mark International Human Rights Day. I understand these individuals were charged under Malaysia's Police Act, and were released shortly thereafter....

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (6 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 to 220, inclusive, together. In view of the current international focus on the Iranian nuclear issue, and on developments in Iraq, I believe it is important that we do not lose sight of the human rights situation in Iran, on which we have very serious concerns. After a period in which gradual progress was evident in the overall human rights situation, the...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (6 Feb 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 — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (6 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The generally peaceful and orderly conduct of the 2006 Presidential and Parliamentary elections — the first democratic elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in more than forty years — was a tribute to the strong desire of the Congolese people for an end to conflict and a return to democracy. Since then, noticeable progress had been made in many parts of the country. The new...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (6 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The European Union's extensive relations with Ukraine are conducted within the framework of a number of agreements, the most significant of which are the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and the EU-Ukraine Action Plan. The Partnership and Cooperation Agreement entered into force in 1998. It highlights respect for fundamental values as an essential element of the EU-Ukraine relationship,...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (6 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: As has been made clear on previous occasions, it is not the policy of the Government to draw up a 'league table' of countries deemed guilty of the worst human rights abuses. Human rights remain central to our foreign policy. Active participation in the EU, UN and the Council of Europe provides an opportunity for Ireland to voice its concerns regarding human rights abuses. Through these...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (6 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: In previous statements and in responses to Parliamentary Questions, I have made clear my own, and the Government's very deep concern about the situation in Burma. Following the horrific events that occurred in that country in September, I undertook a number of initiatives to highlight the extent of the repression taking place and the importance of the mission of the UN and the Secretary...

Human Rights Issues. (6 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 98 together. I remain deeply concerned by recent developments in Kenya, where over 1,000 people have been killed and between 250,000 and 300,000 have been displaced from their homes in the aftermath of the elections on 27 December and the announcement of the re-election of Mr. Kibaki as President. The initial assessment by the EU election observation...

Human Rights Issues. (6 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: On the latter point, that is one of the reasons why it was suggested Ireland should not attend the recent EU-AU Summit. It was one of the reasons we were absent, at least at Head of Government level. Our view, emphatically, was that we should attend, on the basis that we need to have a better relationship with the African Union, which is doing its level best with the difficulties attendant...

Human Rights Issues. (6 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: As far as possible we have liaised with all the people with whom we have contact and know are in Kenya. I agree with the Deputy as regards the very strong Irish missionary presence there. At this time we are not aware of anyone who is in grave difficulty. After the initial outbreak of difficulties, however, we aided and assisted a considerable number of people. As regards the logistics of...

EU Treaty. (6 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Following its signature in Lisbon on 13 December 2007, member states are expected to ratify the reform treaty by 1 January 2009. The Attorney General has advised that the legal effects of the reform treaty require amendment of the Constitution to enable ratification by Ireland. Under the Referendum Act, in the case of a constitutional referendum, the referendum commission can be established...

EU Treaty. (6 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: No earlier.

EU Treaty. (6 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: Did I say "later"?

EU Treaty. (6 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: I do not agree with the Deputy that the Government has been in some way lethargic. The reform treaty was only signed on 13 December. We have to prepare legislation which is currently with the Attorney General's office. The referendum commission will not be able to be up and running any earlier than the day the Bill is published. The normal course is that after the Bill is published the...

EU Treaty. (6 Feb 2008)

Dermot Ahern: The composition of the commission is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. There are a number of members who, by legislation, have to be on the commission. It will be the job of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to propose a chairperson who would normally be a High Court judge. We have already received very strong advice...