Results 13,561-13,580 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Conflict Resolution: Conflict Resolution (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: As is set out in the Programme for Government, the Government are committed to making increased Irish engagement in international conflict resolution an important new dimension of Irish foreign policy, building on our experience of the Northern Ireland peace process, the Irish Aid programme, which already includes support for a range of conflict-related activities, and our strong tradition of...

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

Dermot Ahern: The issue of Kosovo's final status remains high on the EU's foreign policy agenda and is the subject of regular discussions at Foreign Minister level, most recently at the General Affairs and External Relations Council of 15 October last. It is my intention to visit Pristina and Belgrade next month to discuss the situation with key political figures there, and assess the situation further....

Written Answers — Diplomatic Relations: Diplomatic Relations (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland has diplomatic relations with Zimbabwe on a non-resident basis. The Irish Ambassador in Pretoria is accredited to Zimbabwe, and the Zimbabwean Ambassador in London is accredited to Ireland. Our bilateral ties reflect the friendship which Ireland holds for the Zimbabwean people, and our shared historical experience. These ties also give us an opportunity to discuss issues of concern as...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Department's Annual Output Statement 2007 was placed in the public domain by being formally presented to the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs on 27 March 2007. The Committee warmly welcomed the presentation of this first Output Statement and stated that it was a "detailed and comprehensive statement that will be a useful reference for members". In the light of the interest reflected in...

Written Answers — Departmental Travel: Departmental Travel (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The policy of my Department, on the issue of frequent flyer points, is in line with the guidelines set out in the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour (Circular 26 of 2004) which provide that: ". . . benefits under frequent flier schemes may be retained by individual civil servants in recognition of the fact that official travel is disruptive to personal and family life" (Paragraph...

Written Answers — Departmental Statistics: Departmental Statistics (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: All Irish citizens, whether resident in Ireland or abroad, are entitled to seek consular assistance from my Department. As a result, statistics on deaths abroad of Irish citizens are not broken down on a residency in Ireland or overseas basis. Moreover, the assistance of the Department is on many occasions not sought by the next of kin when a death occurs abroad, particularly in the case of...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Relations: Diplomatic Relations (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: In common with most Member States of the UN, and all EU partners, Ireland adheres to a 'one-China policy', recognising the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China. The joint communiqué issued in 1979 on the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ireland and the People's Republic of China reaffirmed the 'one-China policy'. Ireland does...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Over the past decade, the number of Irish citizens travelling abroad has increased dramatically. Irish citizens are now to be found in a wider range of locations than ever before and the number of visits abroad by Irish residents in 2006 was almost 7 million. Since becoming Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have attached a high priority to the consular service we provide to our citizens who...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: A total amount of €226,977.33 was spent by the Department on paper and stationery from 1 January 2007 to date: this includes €153,477.33 on paper and paper-based stationery items, of which an amount of €84,309 was spent on recycled paper.

Written Answers — Cross-Border Projects: Cross-Border Projects (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Government is committed to ensuring that all border crossings closed by the British authorities on grounds of security in the 1970s are reopened as part of the wider process of security normalisation in Northern Ireland, and in order to facilitate regional economic development. Of the 104 closed cross-border roads in 1994, only the crossings at Annaghroe and Knockaginney have yet to be...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 323 and 330 together. The Government continues to be gravely concerned about the crisis in Darfur and its broader ramifications for Sudan as a whole and the region. We are pursuing all avenues to support international efforts to address the grave humanitarian, political and security challenges confronting Sudan. Recent weeks have seen an upsurge in violence...

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

Dermot Ahern: The reform process in Afghanistan is continuing. The goal of the international community, in cooperation with the Afghan government, remains to extend legitimate government, the rule of law and the benefits of government to all parts of Afghanistan though addressing issues such as infrastructure, counter narcotics programmes and training for the army and police forces. It is important that...

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

Dermot Ahern: Negotiations on EU accession opened with Croatia and Turkey in October 2005. This launched a complex and lengthy negotiation process, the outcome of which cannot be guaranteed beforehand. An extensive analytical examination has been underway which involves close scrutiny of the compatibility of Turkish and Croatian legislation with that of the EU. In all, there are thirty five negotiating...

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

Dermot Ahern: As has been made clear in reply to previous questions, it is not the policy of the Government to draw up any kind of "league table" of countries in relation to human rights abuses. Ireland closely monitors developments in the human rights situation throughout the world and where the situation warrants, we make known our concerns to the Governments in question, either bilaterally, through the...

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

Dermot Ahern: Dialogue between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union is based on the shared agenda agreed at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Thessaloniki in June 2003. In this context, the EU is committed to support Bosnia in its efforts to overcome the legacy of violence and division from the 1990s, and to assist it in working towards the goal of eventual integration into EU structures, initially...

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 32 (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy can go up and see the Ceann Comhairle.

Human Rights Issues. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87, 107, 111, 114, 120, 132, 319 and 320 together. I refer the House to the reply I gave to Priority Question No. 84, which sets out our general approach. The international community has sent a very clear signal to the Burmese regime that we are prepared to stand together to ensure that the days of impunity are over. There has been a strong statement by the...

Human Rights Issues. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: In regard to an earlier question on trade posed by Deputy Naughten or Deputy Timmins, I said that no trade took place, but I wish to clarify that in 2006 a small trade figure of €152,000 is recorded, mainly in respect of the pharmaceutical sector. Returning to Deputy Higgins's question, I agree with him about the access Mr. Pinheiro should receive. That is one of the reasons the EU is...

Human Rights Issues. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Regarding China's response, because the local NGO group was refused access to deliver a letter to the Chinese Embassy, I took it upon myself to write to the Chinese Foreign Minister. I asked my officials to intervene with the Chinese Embassy in Dublin and the Indian Embassy at the beginning of the protest. The response from China was favourable. It surprised the international community...

Human Rights Issues. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Not so far.