Results 14,281-14,300 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Emigrant Welfare. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Following the election there is undoubtedly a different landscape. A number of the members of both the Democrat Party and the Republican Party who are favourably disposed to immigration reform have been re-elected, some with sizeable majorities. A number of congressmen who were on the other side of the argument and promoted strict border controls suffered in the election. There is a...

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan continues to be a matter of the gravest concern for the Government. While there have been some limited signs of progress on the political front, the security and humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. On 16 November 2006 in Addis Ababa, the UN Secretary General and the chairperson of the Commission of the African Union co-chaired a meeting...

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: What was the first issue?

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: On many occasions, particularly at GAERT meetings, I have said that in the context of the UN reform issue this is the first opportunity we have to put into practice the principle of responsibility to protect. Ireland and a number of other countries such as Denmark have said at the start of the current phase of difficulties in Sudan that if the sanctions are not sufficient to put pressure on...

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I do not know whether this is a question, but it is hard to put one's finger on the actual number of people killed. However, there is no doubt it runs into hundreds of thousands.

Military Neutrality. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Government has no plans to reconsider the long-standing policy of successive Governments to extend landing and overflight facilities to US military aircraft. The policy was endorsed by the House, following an extensive debate, on 20 March 2003. US military aircraft have been landing in and overflying Ireland for more than 50 years. I recall the Taoiseach's statement to the Dáil on 20...

Military Neutrality. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: It is somewhat ironic that Deputy Gormley, when discussing Question No. 2, was advocating the sending of UN-mandated forces to Darfur to stop a conflict in that region considering that he is now suggesting that we oppose a UN-mandated presence in Iraq.

Military Neutrality. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Leaving aside the sharp differences of opinion on whether the invasion of Iraq should have taken place, the fact of the matter is——

Military Neutrality. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: No, we did not. In 2003, the Dáil voted in favour of participating in the granting of access to Shannon Airport. Under the resolutions, which have been passed unanimously——

Military Neutrality. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Deputy Allen may intervene but I am not sure where the Labour Party, Green Party and Fine Gael stand on this matter. Fine Gael said quite clearly that troops should continue to use Shannon Airport. Deputy Rabbitte of the Labour Party said at a recent conference that he did not envisage troops not using the airport, although this was contrary to a remark made by Deputy Broughan.

Military Neutrality. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: We know where the Green Party stands but the reality is that all three parties are on different wavelengths.

Military Neutrality. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: It is easy to believe that sitting where they are sitting. If they are ever on this side of the House——

Military Neutrality. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Will they? If so, it will be very interesting to see what they will do about Shannon Airport.

Military Neutrality. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Government is adhering to a UN mandate, which has been extended unanimously until the end of this year and which the Iraqi Government has asked to be renewed. Is Deputy Gormley suggesting that the international forces, including US troops, be removed from Iraq, thus making circumstances in that country worse than they are today?

Military Neutrality. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: It is a long-standing agreement.

Military Neutrality. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Shannon has been used for 50 years during many world conflicts.

Military Neutrality. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy should check his history.

Foreign Conflicts. (23 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Government is deeply concerned by the situation in the occupied territories, and especially by the toll of death and destruction in Gaza. We have conveyed our position clearly and consistently in direct contacts with the relevant parties, including the Israeli Government. We have been to the fore in the formulation of EU policy positions on the issues involved and have played a...

Written Answers — Radon Gas Levels: Radon Gas Levels (22 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: At the request of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland carried out radon surveys at the Department's offices in the State between July 2005 and May 2006. All measurements at the Department's offices were below the Reference Level for radon gas in workplaces as set in the "Radiological Protection Act, 1991, (Ionising Radiation) Order 2000". The...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (22 Nov 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The latest year for which information in respect of energy supplies is available is 2005. The costs relating to all of my Department's buildings in the State are as follows: ESB €435,359.41 Bord Gáis €51,639.74. While my Department has not conducted an audit of its energy use in the recent past, the question of how these supplies are procured will be addressed in its first...