Results 13,901-13,920 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Nuclear Disarmament. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I assure the Deputy that Ireland is to the fore in defending the NPT, particularly in the context of the NSG. On the US-India deal, not all elements are on the table and there is still a long way to go before we reach a stage where we will have to make a determination. There are strong arguments against this deal, but other people, including Dr. El Baradei and Dr. Hans Blix, have a more...

European Council Meeting: Statements (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I thank the Deputy for his remarks. When the European Council met the Government had not been finally formed and ratified. Indeed, as we met, negotiations were still going on regarding the make-up of the Government and therefore any reference in the Council conclusions to it would have had to be on the basis of the position that existed at that time. Since that time the Government has been...

European Council Meeting: Statements (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I do not believe that a member of Hamas will ever formally recognise the State of Israel because it goes against the charter under which Hamas was formed. If the Deputy ever gets the opportunity to go to Israel one of the first things the Israeli Foreign Minister would do would be to give him a copy of the Hamas charter, which clearly indicates its core aim is the destruction of Israel.

European Council Meeting: Statements (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The international community is waiting to see how by their actions the members of the national unity Government will address the issue. While perhaps not giving formal recognition to Israel it may implicitly understand and recognise that the only solution to the conflict in the Middle East is through the recognition of a two-state solution, which in effect would recognise the existence of...

European Council Meeting: Statements (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: As always the main issues at the spring European Council meeting were economic. However, this time discussion on climate change was very much to the fore, which was greatly welcomed by Ireland. The NPT review is following the normal five-year cycle, which leads up to 2010. We are now co-ordinating the preparations with others for the first preparatory committee meeting next month. As I...

European Council Meeting: Statements (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: There was no discussion when I was present on the EU and India. Later this afternoon I will be answering questions on the matter. The issue of the EU-India agreement has been prolonged. It is not likely that any real movement in that regard will take place for some considerable time.

European Council Meeting: Statements (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: In regard to EU citizens having a vote in Ireland, they have a vote in local and European elections.

European Council Meeting: Statements (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I am not aware of any move to give them the right to vote in general elections. That issue would have to be taken up with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. It would also have to be dealt with on a European-wide basis because not every country has the same rules across borders. The Government is strongly considering a move to deal in some way with the...

European Council Meeting: Statements (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: That is the case despite our recent figures. It is the case that our greenhouse gas emissions have been over the targets agreed but one has to take into account that the economy grew by 150% since 1990. We have commitments to meet in regard to climate change and climate change strategy but at the same time we have a duty to ensure it is not done in such a way that it is unsustainable from...

European Council Meeting: Statements (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: That is the balance that we on this side of the House have a duty and a responsibility to ensure. We have to ensure that on the one hand we are not making pyrrhic gestures in that we are trying to exhort all other blocs in the world to do their duty in responding to the Stern report. There is no point in Ireland on its own, or the EU on its own or most of the western world on its own...

European Council Meeting: Statements (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: ——such as China, India and Asia are not playing their part for climate change.

European Council Meeting: Statements (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: It is important that we treat this issue on a national basis, as we are doing, by setting detailed targets and putting this country to the pin of its collar over the next 20 years and at international level exhorting all those other more powerful blocs which are not fulfilling their commitments in any shape or form to ensure they rise to the very considerable challenge ahead of them.

European Council Meeting: Statements (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: There was no discussion on that matter at the European Council. That matter would normally be discussed at GAERC meetings.

Human Rights Issues. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 84 together. The political, economic and human rights situation in Zimbabwe is a matter of the most serious concern. There is 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 intention to introduce real and necessary democratic reforms. On the...

Human Rights Issues. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I agree with what the Deputy has said. There is no doubt that the EU has a very important role to play, but the African nations surrounding Zimbabwe also have a role to play. It is necessary to gain more support. As the Deputy noted, some of the countries have not been forthcoming in that respect. Southern African states have a role to play in that respect. The restrictions put in place...

Human Rights Issues. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: None of our aid goes directly to the Zimbabwean Government. It goes to the NGOs and other organisations. I agree with the Deputy that the international community needs to mobilise support to put as much pressure as possible on this regime, which, unfortunately, has been there for some time. However, there are signs, as instanced by some comments by the US ambassador, that there seems to be...

Human Rights Issues. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The answer to the last question is yes, we have. Again, it is important to stress it is not just the South African Government which has some influence in this difficult issue, even though there are substantial numbers of Zimbabweans resident in South Africa. The Southern African Development Community is an important aspect of how pressure can be put on this regime. The EU is working in...

Irish Emigrants. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The St. Patrick's Day period provided the Taoiseach and me with a particularly valuable and timely opportunity to convey our views on this issue to key figures on Capitol Hill and in the US Administration, including President Bush. During our visit, we had a detailed discussion on the way ahead with Senator Kennedy, and expressed deep appreciation for his continued strong leadership on this...

Irish Emigrants. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Government's position is we wish to have a comprehensive Bill put forward because that will deal with this issue once and for all. Obviously, other options are being considered and have been considered over the past two and a half years. We have to take cognisance of the fact there are tactics involved. People must be acutely aware that until the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform...

Human Rights Issues. (21 Mar 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my replies to Questions Nos. 83 and 113 of 8 February, and No. 229 of 21 February, all of which deal with precisely this question. I was one of only two Ministers for Foreign Affairs to attend a meeting of the European Parliament's temporary committee investigating extraordinary rendition, the TDIP committee. There is no suggestion in the TDIP committee's report that...