Results 13,521-13,540 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

European Council Meetings: Statements (24 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: That issue was agreed. It is logical in that it provides for continuity in the Troika.

European Council Meetings: Statements (24 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: It has already been determined — Lithuania and Greece.

European Council Meetings: Statements (24 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy asked whether all parties in government were in favour. All parties represented at the Cabinet table — the Green Party, the Progressive Democrats and ourselves — are in favour of the reform treaty as agreed last week. Obviously, the broader church of each individual party might have members with different views on the treaty from the view expressed by the Taoiseach or me in...

European Council Meetings: Statements (24 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: As always is the case in my party, they would have the supreme intelligence to know that it is good for the country. On legal advice, the Taoiseach is being careful in that the reform treaty was only finally agreed last week. From the point of view of tying up some loose ends, he needs final confirmation from the Attorney General that his legal advice that it needs to be put to a referendum...

Estimates for Public Services 2007: Leave to Introduce (24 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I move: That leave be given by the Dáil to introduce the following Supplementary Estimate for the service of the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2007:— Vote 6 — Office of the Minister for Finance (Supplementary Estimate).

Estimates for Public Services 2007: Referral to Select Committee (24 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I move: That, subject to leave being given to introduce the following Supplementary Estimate for the service of the year ending 31st December, 2007, the Supplementary Estimate be referred to the Select Committee on Finance and the Public Service pursuant to Standing Order 154(3) and paragraph (1)(a)(ii) of the Committee's Orders of Reference, which shall report back to the Dáil by no later...

Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: We have a record on old age pensions, the Labour Party does not. Our record stands for itself.

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I understand the Deputy is referring to the appointment of Honorary Consuls rather than to the Consul positions filled at full time Consulates in the normal way by career civil servants who are transferred abroad for a temporary period. When deciding where Honorary Consuls of Ireland are to be appointed, I have regard to whether such appointments are justified by the need to provide for the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Inevitably, perhaps, international attention in relation to Iran has focused recently on the nuclear issue and on developments in neighbouring Iraq. The Government believes 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 past...

Written Answers — EU Treaties: EU Treaties (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90, 103 and 322 together. Agreement on further Treaty provisions in the area of freedom, security and justice is one of the key features of the new Reform Treaty which was agreed to by the Taoiseach and his fellow Heads of State and Government at the informal European Council in Lisbon last week. These provisions will strengthen the Union's ability to combat...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 91, 108, 138, 315 and 318 together. Ireland is a long-standing and active proponent of the establishment of an independent Palestinian State. The Government has argued strongly within the EU and internationally that a comprehensive settlement in the Middle East is more urgently needed now than at any time in the past sixty years. It must be based on a...

Written Answers — International Conventions: International Conventions (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The exercise of universal jurisdiction involves the prosecution by the State of a person in Ireland for a crime committed anywhere and regardless of that person's nationality. As it is an exception to the general principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of other states, it requires the sanction of international law. Under Irish law, universal jurisdiction may be exercised in...

Written Answers — Freedom of Expression: Freedom of Expression (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 321 together. The Government is aware of, and concerned about, problems in Pakistan relating, amongst other things, to freedom of expression, the dissemination of information, and the ill-treatment of editors and reporters. These problems have been well documented within Pakistan itself by the Pakistani media and by the Human Rights Commission of...

Written Answers — Nuclear Disarmament Initiative: Nuclear Disarmament Initiative (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Government and our EU partners share the widespread concern at Iran's refusal to comply with its international obligations in respect of its nuclear programme. Aspects of that programme, together with Iran's pursuit of long-range missile technology, have given rise to serious concern that it is seeking to develop a nuclear weapons capability. The Government shares the clear view of Iran's...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Antarctic Treaty opened for signature on 1 December, 1959 in Washington DC and came into force in 1961. The stated aim of the Treaty is to ensure "in the interests of all mankind that Antarctica shall continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and shall not become the scene or object of international discord." In particular the Treaty sought to prohibit nuclear testing...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96, 100 and 110 together. I continue to be gravely concerned at the deterioration in the situation in Zimbabwe. Efforts by the Government of Zimbabwe to tackle hyper-inflation by imposing fixed prices by force have led to severe shortages in urban areas. In rural areas, millions are likely to need food aid as a result of crop failures, exacerbated by...

Written Answers — Irish Emigrants: Irish Emigrants (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 117 together. Maintaining and strengthening links with Irish communities overseas is a key priority of my Department. An essential and positive development in the provision of services to Irish emigrants is the very substantial level of funding now available. In 2007, the unprecedented amount of €15.165 million has been provided for emigrant services,...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 329 together. The renewed conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) poses a threat to the transition process in the country and needs to be addressed urgently. A number of armed militias are preying on the population in North and South Kivu, and attempts by government troops to resolve the situation by force risk visiting further...

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I would like to direct the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 86 which was as follows. The problems that force people to seek asylum within the EU and elsewhere are many and all too common. They have to be addressed by the international community with all the instruments and resources at its disposal. All human rights violations must be condemned wherever they occur. Those...

Written Answers — Ministerial Meetings: Ministerial Meetings (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: On 3 October, I met with the US Secretary of State, Dr Condoleezza Rice, in Washington DC. My meeting provided an opportunity to discuss a number of issues of current international concern, including the planned conference in the US next month on the Middle East as well as Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Following on from meetings I had earlier that week in New York, including with UN Secretary...