Results 13,541-13,560 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

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

Dermot Ahern: I very much share the concerns expressed by Deputy Sherlock about the killings and serious human rights abuses which occurred in Gujarat in 2002, and the strong evidence which exists to suggest that some individuals within the State Government of Gujarat were involved. In view of very deep concerns in this regard, and particularly in light of the strong evidence of involvement by the State...

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

Dermot Ahern: Relations between Turkey and Armenia are complicated by a number of outstanding issues. The major dispute between the two countries centres on the different interpretations of events during the First World War which resulted in the tragic deaths of very large numbers of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire. The Turkish Government has proposed the establishment of a commission, composed of eminent...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106, 128 and 129 together. Legislation creating offences connected with human trafficking was published by my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, on 9th October, 2007. It is also the intention of the Minster for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to include provisions in the forthcoming Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill which...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The security, humanitarian and human rights challenges in the Central African Republic (CAR) remain immense, with a clear need for international support. In recent years, an already difficult situation has been exacerbated by the activities of criminal gangs, armed rebellions in the north-west and the north-east and the spill-over of instability from Darfur and Chad. However, there has been...

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

Dermot Ahern: Together with our European Union partners, Ireland is closely monitoring developments in regard to Supreme Court investigations in connection with the alleged association of members of Congress and Government officials with paramilitary groups in Colombia. Any association between elected representatives and officials and paramilitary groups is a matter of serious concern in itself, and also...

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

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy will be aware, there is a large number of international agreements within the UN framework, covering a very wide range of subjects and falling within the functional responsibility of a number of Departments. A list of the international agreements within the UN framework which have been signed but not ratified by Ireland (apart from those which have been superseded by subsequent...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 309 together. My Department has already been involved in constructive discussions with the Chinese Government on the implications of the Olympic Games in Beijing next year. We have highlighted the opportunities which China's hosting of the Games present, in terms of show-casing the country and its many achievements. In that context, we have stressed...

Written Answers — Nuclear Issues: Nuclear Issues (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The next Plenary Meeting of the Nuclear Suppliers' Group (NSG) is scheduled to take place in Germany in early 2008. There will be a meeting of the NSG Consultative Group in Vienna from 14-16 November this year. This is the standing inter-sessional working body of the NSG, tasked to hold consultations on issues associated with the Guidelines on Nuclear Supply and related issues. The agenda for...

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

Dermot Ahern: I assume that the Deputy is referring to the issue of extraordinary rendition, which has been raised on many occasions in this House. As I have made clear repeatedly, the Government are completely opposed to the practice of the extraordinary rendition of prisoners. Our concerns in relation to this matter have been made clear to the highest levels of the US Government, including by the...

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

Dermot Ahern: In recent years, a number of new approaches have been suggested for the processing of mixed flows of migrants and asylum seekers that wish to enter the EU. These proposals include the establishment of transit and processing centres outside of the EU. While there may be good reasons for these proposed centres, such as the provision of better levels of protection than are currently available...

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

Dermot Ahern: I assume the Deputy is referring to the use by States of private military/private security companies (PMCs/PSCs) in situations of armed conflict. I am advised that both the staff of private military/private security companies and any State hiring them have responsibilities under international humanitarian law. An Irish citizen working for such a company would be bound by international...

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

Dermot Ahern: Ireland and Egypt have enjoyed very good relations for many years. The Government was particularly pleased to welcome President Mubarak to Dublin last December on the first ever visit by an Egyptian Head of State. I am in regular contact with the Egyptian Foreign Minister. We greatly value the positive role played by Egypt regionally, especially in relation to the Middle East Peace Process...

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

Dermot Ahern: The report of the visit to Ireland one year ago by the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) of the Council of Europe was published along with the response of the Government on 10 October. My Department participated in an Inter-Departmental Committee on the preparation of the visit chaired by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I am pleased with the statement at the...

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

Dermot Ahern: "Criminal Politics: Violence, 'Godfathers' and Corruption in Nigeria", Human Right Watch's report of 11 October 2007, addresses a number of genuine challenges faced in Nigeria. More needs to be done to address corruption and human rights standards in Nigeria and the conduct of Nigeria's April 2007 elections was a disappointment. These elections, as noted in the report of the EU Election...

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

Dermot Ahern: I am deeply concerned by the situation of Bhutanese refugees in Nepal, as well as the wider issue of the situation of ethnic Nepalese in Bhutan itself. Of particular concern is the situation of tens of thousands of ethnic Nepalese children expelled from Bhutan who have been left stateless and condemned to grow up in limbo in refugee camps in the region. In this context, I greatly welcome the...

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

Dermot Ahern: The United Nations 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. The Convention is a very broad and comprehensive treaty which provides internationally-recognised measures to prevent and combat corruption. It also...

Written Answers — Common Foreign and Security Policy: Common Foreign and Security Policy (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: A key purpose of the new Reform Treaty is to enhance the democratic legitimacy of the Union. With this aim in mind, the Treaty provides for a stronger role for the European Parliament by extending the number of areas of EU legislation to be decided by co-decision between the Parliament and the Council of Ministers. The Houses of the Oireachtas and other national Parliaments throughout the...

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

Dermot Ahern: Since 2003, gender based violence targeted at women and girls has been a consistent feature of the conflict in Darfur. I have noted with concern the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights' (UNHCHR) recent report on the human rights situation in the Sudan which has helped to highlight further this terrible abuse and to identify means by which it may be addressed. The report...

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

Dermot Ahern: Ireland, along with our EU partners, considers that the death penalty, by whatever means it is carried out, constitutes cruel and inhuman punishment and a violation of the right to life. We are committed to its abolition throughout the world. To this end, the EU is currently drafting a resolution on a moratorium on the use of the death penalty, with a view to its abolition, to be tabled at...

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

Dermot Ahern: During the 1960s and 1970s the issue of Rockall was a source of some legal and political controversy in both Ireland and the United Kingdom. Much of that controversy arose from fears at the time that jurisdiction over Rockall and similar rocks and skerries was thought to be central in supporting claims to the mineral rights in the adjacent seabed and to fishing rights in the surrounding seas....