Results 13,881-13,900 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Nuclear Proliferation: Nuclear Proliferation (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose taking Questions Nos. 164 and 174 together. As I indicated in response to questions last month, there are currently no negotiations underway between the EU3 and Iran. However, High Representative Solana did meet informally with lead Iranian negotiator Ali Larijani on 11 February last during the 43rd Munich Conference on Security Policy. This was their first meeting since...

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

Dermot Ahern: I welcome the decision by the Spring European Council, at which I accompanied the Taoiseach, to set a binding renewable energy target of 20% of total EU energy consumption, to be achieved by 2020. The Spring European Council was preceded by a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers at which energy and climate change were key topics of discussion. This is an ambitious and challenging policy. Ireland...

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

Dermot Ahern: In the recent White Paper on Irish Aid, the Government committed to undertaking a major review of the management of the Aid programme in the light of the very substantial increase in the funding available to it. The review will embrace the financial and administrative systems, approval, monitoring, audit and evaluation mechanisms, management information systems and the management and...

Written Answers — Nuclear Proliferation: Nuclear Proliferation (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: As I indicated in response to questions last month, there are currently no negotiations under way between the EU3 and Iran. However, High Representative Solana did meet informally with lead Iranian negotiator Ali Larijani on 11 February last during the 43rd Munich Conference on Security Policy. This was their first meeting since discussions in September 2006, which failed to agree an...

Written Answers — Nuclear Proliferation: Nuclear Proliferation (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: There are currently two nuclear programmes of concern to the international community in which the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is involved. These are the nuclear programmes of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Iran. The IAEA has been unable to draw any conclusions regarding the DPRK's nuclear activities since inspectors were expelled from the country in 2002....

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for visa applications to our Missions abroad. Visa applications made in Ireland are the responsibility of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Visa applications received abroad, which are not subject to delegated sanction, are subsequently referred to Dublin for approval or otherwise by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Where it is sought to transport munitions of war through Irish territory, the permission of the Minister for Transport, in the case of civilian aircraft, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in the case of foreign military aircraft, is required. The grant of such permission is dependent upon a number of different factors, among them air safety, Ireland's obligations under international...

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

Dermot Ahern: We regularly receive communications from individuals who state that they are members of the Iranian opposition. Some of these individuals are members of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, NCRI, or of groups linked to it. The NCRI has very close links with the Peoples' Mujahidin of Iran, PMOI, which is also referred to as the OMPI, the MEK and the MKO, and which is regarded by the...

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

Dermot Ahern: I wish to thank the Deputy for getting back to me on this matter, as I suggested in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 342 on 6 March 2007. The Embassy in Paris has now raised the case with the Regional Director of Police for Cannes, and has sought an explanation for the manner in which the person mentioned by the Deputy was allegedly treated by the police there. I will revert to the...

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: In its contracts and procurements, the Department complies with all applicable national and EU rules as set out in the Department of Finance guidance document "Public Procurement Guidelines- Competitive Process". Any departure from the normal procedures would only arise in certain limited situations which are recognised and permitted by the EU Directive and national rules. The Department has...

Human Rights Issues. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Stephen Grey, a New York Times correspondent who gave evidence to the committee, stated that it was highly unlikely that Shannon would be used in any way, shape or form. That was supported by Tom Cloonan, an Irish defence expert, who stated that he had many discussions with people involved in Guantánamo who said quite clearly that Shannon was never used for extraordinary rendition. The...

Human Rights Issues. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: There is no evidence.

Human Rights Issues. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I can give the Deputy more if he wants.

Decentralisation Programme. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy does not think much of Limerick.

Nuclear Disarmament. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I met Dr. El Baradei on 16 February. Dr. El Baradei, who also met the Taoiseach and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government separately on the same day, was in Dublin to receive an honorary patronage of the Trinity College Philosophical Society. In the course of our meeting, I raised a number of issues in Dr. El Baradei's particular area of responsibility, including...

Nuclear Disarmament. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: In general, yes. I said at the UN review conference that it is hypocritical of certain countries to demand, from a military point of view, that others should not be allowed to move on nuclear energy, while they themselves are not disarming, which was the other side of the coin in terms of the NPT. Ireland has been to the fore over the years in articulating that and will continue to do so....

Nuclear Disarmament. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Yes, I am generally not in favour of bilateral agreements. I support multilateralism and the attempts to ensure all nations disarm, as originally intended under the NPT, while also preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons. That has been successful, although there are some who say there are difficulties. I agree there are difficulties, but at least Iran remains part of the NPT and...

Nuclear Disarmament. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I did not say that.

Nuclear Disarmament. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I will not repeat my view on double standards as I am inclined to agree with the sentiments expressed on the other side of the House. On the Iranian situation, the Deputy is correct that the only way to deal with the situation is by negotiation, treating Iran with dignity, but at the same time sending a strong message that the international community, not just America, Europe or Israel, does...

Nuclear Disarmament. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Discussions are taking place, but based on the recent report of the IAEA, the UN Security Council will, within the next week, examine what further action should be taken against Iran. We live in an open society where debate takes place. We must be grateful for that and that we do not live in a society dictated from on top. Changes are taking place in Iranian society where groups feel some...