Results 13,841-13,860 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Departmental Websites: Departmental Websites (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 157 together. There were no recorded instances during 2006 where the Department's website was taken down due to technical difficulties. Since the beginning of 2007, the Department's website has been inaccessible to the public on two occasions. The first occasion was for a period of approximately one hour on 8 February, to allow for essential maintenance...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Relations: Diplomatic Relations (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland is accredited to Venezuela through our Ambassador to Mexico on a non-residential basis. Ambassador Dermot Brangan presented his credentials to the then Venezuelan Vice President, Mr Jose Vicente Rangel, in Caracas on 8 May 2006. On 19th September 2006, the Ambassador of Venezuela in London, who is also accredited to Ireland, called on the Secretary General of the Department of Foreign...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 96, 119, 136, 140, 168 and 237 together. A comprehensive settlement in the Middle East is more urgently needed now than at any time in the past sixty years. At its heart must be a negotiated two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Government has remained actively engaged in the promotion of a just and lasting solution, which was the focus...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 249 together. As I made clear in my reply earlier to Questions 80 and 84, the political, economic and human rights situation in Zimbabwe is a matter of the most serious concern. There is currently no indication that the Zimbabwean government is willing to alter the malign policies which have destroyed the country's economy. Nor is there any sign of an...

Written Answers — Commemorative Events: Commemorative Events (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome on 25 March, 1957 is a milestone in the history of the Union. As I have indicated already in the House, it is entirely appropriate that we avail of the opportunity presented by the anniversary to highlight the contribution the European Union has made to our national well-being. Citizens throughout the Union should also have the...

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) met in Brussels on 5 March. This was the final Ministerial meeting before the Spring European Council which took place on 8-9 March. The discussion on the European Council draft Conclusions was the sole substantive item on the General Affairs agenda. The discussion focused on the Energy and Climate Change chapter of the European...

Written Answers — Illegal Immigrants: Illegal Immigrants (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100, 166, 169, 234, 242, 243 and 246 together. The Government attaches the highest priority to the welfare of the undocumented Irish in the United States, and takes every opportunity in contacts with US political leaders to emphasise the importance of addressing this matter in a pragmatic and sympathetic manner. The St. Patrick's Day period provided the...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Government has consistently been a strong supporter of the right to self-determination of the people of the Western Sahara. Ireland played a prominent role in seeking a solution to the Western Sahara dispute during its term on the UN Security Council, and has remained active on the issue at the United Nations and in discussions at EU level. Ireland worked with our EU partners and other...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 102, 120, 127 and 129 together. The Government is deeply concerned about the crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan and is using all avenues to support international efforts to address the grave political, security and humanitarian challenges faced there. In my direct contacts with the Sudanese Foreign Minister in July and September 2006, I emphasised the...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The situation in the ecologically and politically fragile region of the Horn of Africa is a high priority for Ireland, the EU and the United Nations. The problems faced by the countries of the region include the ongoing conflicts in Darfur and Somalia; a prolonged stalemate in the Ethiopia-Eritrea peace process; and the need to rebuild southern Sudan following decades of civil war. At a...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 104, 105, 130, 133 and 145 together. The elections in Northern Ireland on 7 March took place for the explicit purpose of endorsing the St. Andrews Agreement and of electing an Assembly which would form a power-sharing Executive on 26 March in accordance with that Agreement. The outcome of the elections constituted a strong and clear endorsement of the St...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to previous replies to similar questions concerning the United Nations Convention against Corruption, most recently on 8th February 2007. The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, has lead responsibility in this area. His officials, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, have been examining the legislative changes which are likely...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 107, 146 and 165 together. It remains the Government's position that no steps will be taken to develop diplomatic relations with Burma until Aung San Suu Kyi is released from house arrest. I remain deeply concerned that she has spent the past three years in detention (and 11 years in total) without charge and would, once again, urge the Burmese government to...

Written Answers — EU Constitution: EU Constitution (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 108, 121, 132, 159, 245 and 247 together. The German Presidency intends to present at the June meeting of the European Council their conclusions on the way forward for the draft Constitutional Treaty, following completion of their bilateral consultations with Member States. The Presidency will also, this weekend, bring forward a political declaration to Heads...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Independent Monitoring Commission has confirmed that the British Government is meeting its commitments to demilitarisation as set out in its Security Normalisation Programme. This programme, as updated on 1 August 2005, is due to be completed by the end of July this year. By this time, and subject to an enabling security environment, British troop levels in Northern Ireland will have been...

Written Answers — Human Trafficking: Human Trafficking (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 110, 143, 153 and 241 together. From answers to previous questions that the struggle against trafficking in human beings is a matter of great concern at both EU and international level. A specific Action Plan was adopted at the December 2005 European Council. Implementation of the Action Plan is being pursued by the Justice and Home Affairs Council, where...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Over many years successive Irish Governments and others have raised serious concerns about collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and members of the security forces in Northern Ireland. The publication of the Police Ombudsman's report into the murder of Raymond McCord showed that these concerns were well-founded. Its findings are damning, particularly on the failings of RUC Special Branch...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 131 together. I have made clear on a number of previous occasions the Government's disappointment with the content of the Report of the Temporary Committee of the European Parliament on extraordinary rendition. In particular, the Committee's figure of 147 allegedly suspicious flights is grossly inflated, as shown by the identification of only 3...

Written Answers — Bolivarian Transition: Bolivarian Transition (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Bolivarian Revolution, named after the South American independence hero Simón Bolivar, was launched by President Hugo Chavez following his inauguration as President of Venezuela in 1999. It aims to create a social economy with a focus on poverty reduction as an alternative to market-led economic policies. It also provides for a high degree of what is termed participatory democracy....

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: At the meeting of the European Council in Brussels on 8-9 March 2007, EU Governments decided on a series of ambitious measures in relation to energy and climate change. The Governments agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020. They also agreed to aim for a 30% cut under a global and comprehensive agreement for the post-2012 period. This 30% cut will be contingent on other...