Results 13,441-13,460 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (27 Nov 2007)

Dermot Ahern: In our regular contacts with the Chinese authorities at various levels we have stressed the importance that Ireland attaches to human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, including freedom of speech and freedom of religion. We have stressed our hope that every effort possible will be made to facilitate freedom of movement and expression, including the right to peaceful protest,...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (27 Nov 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 116 together. At the meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council which I attended in Brussels last week, we held a detailed discussion with the Iraqi Foreign Minister on the political and security situation in Iraq. We were encouraged by the substantial improvement in the security situation in recent months. It is clear that while...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (27 Nov 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I have received the correspondence from Amnesty International to which the Deputy refers. A response outlining the Government's position on this matter has been issued by my Office. As the Deputy will be aware from my responses to previous Parliamentary Questions on this matter, Ireland holds the view that those detained in Guantánamo must be treated in accordance with the requirements of...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (27 Nov 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to previous replies to similar questions concerning the United Nations Convention against Corruption, most recently on 23 October 2007. The Convention against Corruption was adopted by the UN General Assembly in October 2003 and was signed on behalf of Ireland, when it opened for signature, in December 2003. The Convention entered into force on 14 December 2005. My...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (27 Nov 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are a framework for development for the whole international community, involving cooperation between developed and developing countries, and are not confined to the G8. Their achievement will require a large push forward, not only by donors, but also by the developing countries which will benefit from a sustainable reduction in poverty. The MDGs...

Written Answers — Arms Trade: Arms Trade (27 Nov 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Control of Exports Bill, when enacted, will enable Ireland to fulfil its obligations under EU Common Position 2003/468/CFSP of 23 June 2003 on the control of arms brokering. The objective of this Common Position is to control arms brokering in order to avoid circumvention of UN, EU or OSCE embargoes on arms exports, as well as the Criteria set out in the European Union Code of Conduct on...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (27 Nov 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 120 together. I visited both Sudan and Chad from 14-16 November last. Whilst in Khartoum on 14 November, I met with President Bashir, acting Foreign Minister Ali Karti, and Minni Minnawi, the leader of the SLA faction which signed the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) in 2006. I also met with representatives of the main UN agencies and of Irish and...

Written Answers — Conflict Resolution: Conflict Resolution (27 Nov 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to the answer given to PQ 304 on 23rd October 2007 (attached), in which I outlined the structure of the Conflict Resolution Unit and explained that my Department is in the final phase of completing its work programme in this area, which will set out the Unit's key objectives. The Unit will be a cross-cutting one, working closely with Irish Aid and Anglo-Irish Divisions and...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (27 Nov 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The EU military mission to Chad and the Central African Republic, entitled EUFOR Tchad/RCA, was authorised by a Joint Action of the Council of the European Union on 15 October, in accordance with the mandate set out in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1778 of 25 September. The Joint Action included the appointment of Lieutenant General Pat Nash of the Defence Forces as Operation...

Written Answers — EU Treaties: EU Treaties (27 Nov 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Following the adoption of conclusions by the Council on 3rd October 2005, accession negotiations were opened with Turkey. Under the terms of the agreed Negotiating Framework, these accession negotiations are an open-ended process, the outcome of which cannot be guaranteed beforehand. In all, there are thirty five negotiating chapters which deal with a range of policy areas. To date, four...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (27 Nov 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I am deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka. Ireland, together with our partners in the EU, takes a close interest in developments in Sri Lanka, and in the peace process in particular and regrets the fact that neither party appears willing to engage in meaningful negotiations. We continue to take the firm view that there can be no military solution and that the only...

Written Answers — Honorary Awards: Honorary Awards (27 Nov 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The vast majority of notifications on proposed awards to Irish citizens received in the Department of Foreign Affairs from foreign Governments relate to honorary awards which do not confer titles of nobility or honour. They are dealt with at official level in the absence of a Constitutional requirement that they be brought to the Government. Since 1997, we are aware of three cases where...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (27 Nov 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Strong systems and financial controls are in place across my Department to ensure efficiency and value for money in both Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 29 (International Cooperation). My Department is committed to completing and publishing five major Value for Money reviews in the period 2006-2008. Two of these, dealing with funding for emigrant services and the Government's response to...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (27 Nov 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The State of Qatar has accredited an Ambassador to Ireland on a non-resident basis. The current Ambassador of the State of Qatar, H.E. Mr. Khalid Rashid Al-Hamoudi Ali-Mansouri, is resident in London and the Ambassador presented his Credentials to President McAleese in January of this year. The previous Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Ireland, H.E. Mr. Nassar bin Hamad M. Al-Khalifa,...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 Nov 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The following table sets out the numbers of permanent, temporary and contract staff who were employed by my Department on 31 October 2002 and on 31 October 2007 respectively. These figures do not include approximately 300 staff who are recruited locally to work in our Missions abroad. The figures for temporary staff refer to clerical staff employed on fixed term contracts to work in the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (27 Nov 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The table below contains a breakdown of all air travel in the past four years. The significant reduction in the 2007 figures is primarily due to an ongoing effort being made by my Department to achieve better value from air travel. The table identifies the class of air travel undertaken by staff at Headquarters. In the case of our 75 Missions outside the State, each Mission operates within...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (27 Nov 2007)

Dermot Ahern: My Department operates a diplomatic mail service to facilitate secure communication between the State and our Missions abroad. Ireland currently has a network of 75 resident diplomatic and consular Missions abroad and 87 Honorary Consulates. To date in 2007, the operation of Ireland's diplomatic mail service has cost €941,675. The expenditure, to date in 2007, on postage accrued by my...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 Nov 2007)

Dermot Ahern: In 2007, the following were the ten largest bonus payments made in the Department of Foreign Affairs under the Scheme of Performance-related awards for those at Deputy Secretary and Assistant Secretary level: €25,850 €22,800 €22,100 €21,750 6 payments of €19,200 These bonus payments were subject to tax and PRSI. Some 45 officers at Assistant Secretary and Deputy Secretary level...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 Nov 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The following table sets out the number of civil servants in my Department who have either transferred to other Government Departments or who have left the Civil Service in the period 2002 to 2006. 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Transferred to other Government Departments 22 9 20 15 37 Retirements 9 6 11 10 20 Resignations 23 22 14 4 13 Special Leave 19 17 23 18 17 Dismissal 0 1 0 0 0...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 Nov 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Since 1 January 2007, no allegations of victimisation for whistleblowing have been reported to the management of my Department by its staff.