Results 13,581-13,600 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Human Rights Issues. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: On the issue of the Olympic Games, the point has been made many times that China will be very aware of the international communities' view and very precious and cautious regarding the impact that might have on the games. Without being too overt about it, China has responded and has played a very valuable role in the recent events. Hopefully that will continue with regard to, for instance,...

Human Rights Issues. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The possibility of an EU envoy working in tandem with the UN Special Envoy, Dr. Gambari, was discussed in Luxembourg at the foreign affairs GAERC meeting and again in Lisbon last week. It was suggested that it would give support and feedback to European Union members with regard to the issue of the disappeared and detained and to determine how positive progress could be made. Burma...

Territorial Waters. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea a coastal state is entitled to a continental shelf of 200 nautical miles, approximately 370 km in breadth, regardless of whether its continental shelf physically extends that far subject only to the similar rights of its coastal neighbours. It may also claim a broader shelf where it can show the natural prolongation of its land...

Territorial Waters. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: With regard to responsibility, the Department of Foreign Affairs has primary responsibility for the State's international boundaries and this includes the seabed. The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has responsibility for supervising and licensing many activities. Ireland will be the first state in the world to make a successful claim in this regard. The...

Territorial Waters. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: No, because the discussions are ongoing for the past five years. The next meeting is due to take place next week in Denmark.

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Brutal repression, mass arrests and intimidation cannot hide the fact that over the past two months, the people of Burma have made clear their unequivocal demand for democracy, national reconciliation and an end to military dictatorship. The Government and people stand firmly behind them. As the crisis escalated, the Government was active in support of the Burmese people. As well as the...

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: We do not have diplomatic relations with Burma and no steps have been taken in this regard. It would be totally unimaginable in the circumstances that we would move in that respect. Because of that, we have no contact with the Burmese authorities and any contacts are made with our partners. With regard to the response from the Chinese and the Indians, they listened to our views on this....

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: To the best of my knowledge, the responses did not come in writing. Normal contact is maintained with the relevant embassies. I wrote to the Foreign Ministers but I understand there has been no response. If any is given, I will relate that to the Deputy. There is no trade between Ireland and Burma.

Cross-Border Projects. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Arising from the Good Friday Agreement, six North-South Implementation Bodies and Tourism Ireland were established. These bodies play a significant role in taking forward North-South co-operation on the island. The North-South Implementation Bodies are jointly funded by the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. Funding from each jurisdiction is provided on an agreed proportionate...

Cross-Border Projects. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: On the contrary, my position as Minister for Foreign Affairs with responsibility for Northern Ireland affairs and cross-Border co-operation would be enhanced by my party's consideration of a move across the Border. When my party was founded, de Valera on many occasions stated it should never be a 26-county party. As I recently stated publicly, a northern Unionist mentioned to the Taoiseach...

Cross-Border Projects. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: There seemed to be fairly universal support for the concept. As I have stated publicly, it is not a step we will take in the near future, but we will consider it strategically and carefully. As a significant party in Government, any moves clearly would have to be carried out with one eye on political stability and equilibrium built into the Good Friday Agreement. We would never put that in...

Asylum Applications. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The problems forcing people to seek asylum within the EU and elsewhere are many and all too common. They must 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 and those responsible for persecution cannot be allowed to operate with impunity. Persecution and conflict flourish...

Asylum Applications. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: As already stated, the EU has brought forward a Green Paper. The latter does not relate to a common asylum system because discovering a resolution to this problem does not rest on any one issue. The EU is leading the world in the context of the delivery of aid to Africa in particular. Despite some reservations we might have regarding the attendance of President Mugabe at the proposed...

Asylum Applications. (23 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: As much as possible, that is what we try to do. However, in the context of the WTO negotiations, particular member states have their own strategic national interests. The European market is probably the largest recipient of African trade — a matter about which people do not often sing from the rooftops — and is probably the most open to such trade. As already stated, myriad responses...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (17 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: No application has been received in the Passport Office to date for the person mentioned. If the person has any difficulties with documentation regarding his application, the Passport Office (Brian Hanniffy, 6733040) will be happy to help.

Written Answers — Anti-Poverty Strategy: Anti-Poverty Strategy (17 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Given the nature of this Department's work, our policies and programmes normally do not have direct impact on poverty and social inclusion in Ireland. In June 2006, officials from the Office of Social Inclusion briefed the relevant sections of this Department regarding implementation of the guidelines on poverty impact assessment which were issued in April 2006. All proposals submitted by...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Relations: Diplomatic Relations (17 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Under the General Assembly's Resolution 2758 of 25 October 1971, the Government of the People's Republic of China is recognised as the sole representative of China. In common with most Member States of the UN, and all EU partners, Ireland recognises the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China. Taiwan's official status remains that of a Province...

Written Answers — Illegal Irish Emigrants: Illegal Irish Emigrants (17 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: A US citizen, or a lawful permanent resident, can apply to sponsor a close family relative to enter the United States on an immigrant visa. Eligibility for citizenship is then normally based on legal residency and/or service in the U.S. military. In addition, employers in the US may, in certain circumstances, apply to sponsor non-US nationals for entry. The undocumented, including the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (17 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Under the Government's decentralisation programme, the Development Cooperation Directorate of the Department of Foreign Affairs, which is Irish Aid's Headquarters, will decentralise to Limerick. This is scheduled to take place in early 2008 on completion and fit-out of the permanent premises in Henry Street. It will involve the relocation to Limerick of 124 posts. Good progress has been made...

Order of Business (17 Oct 2007)

Dermot Ahern: He was here for Question Time yesterday.