Results 14,481-14,500 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (27 Sep 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The situations in the Middle East and in Sudan are at the top of the foreign policy agendas of Ireland nationally and of the EU. The conflict in Lebanon this summer, and the continuing crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, serve to underline that there is no military or unilateral solution to the inter-related problems of the Middle East. It is the strong view of the Government,...

Written Answers — Passport Controls: Passport Controls (27 Sep 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 899 and 901 together. A common travel area exists between Ireland and Britain which means that there is no formal passport requirement for Irish citizens (including, of course, Irish citizens born in the United States and carrying Irish passports) travelling between the two countries. An immigration officer may, however, ask a passenger for evidence in...

Written Answers — Census of Population: Census of Population (27 Sep 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Department of Foreign Affairs makes extensive use of CSO statistics, particularly in its efforts to disseminate accurate and up-to-date information about Ireland abroad. The statistical information contained in the Census 2006 Preliminary Report is useful in this respect. It shows, for example, that the population of the State reached its highest recorded census level since 1861 and that...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (27 Sep 2006)

Dermot Ahern: In light of the news that a coup was taking place in Bangkok on the evening of 19th September, contact was immediately established between the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Irish Embassy to Thailand (which is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) and the Honorary Consuls in Bangkok and Phuket. Initial reports to the Department suggested that the situation was calm and that there was no...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (27 Sep 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Maintaining and strengthening links with Irish communities throughout the world is a key priority of my Department. Officials in our diplomatic missions and in the Irish Abroad Unit are very active in this regard and work closely with Irish community organisations across a wide range of issues. The Government's firm commitment to enhance support for our communities abroad is reflected in the...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (27 Sep 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland established formal diplomatic relations with the Ukraine in 1992 and our Ambassador to the Czech Republic is accredited there on a non-resident basis. As I believe the Deputy will appreciate, any expansion of our diplomatic network can only be undertaken having regard to clear priorities. In this regard, and while the opening of new Missions is reviewed by the Government on a...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (27 Sep 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The United Nations has the lead role in the search for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. As a result of the rejection of the Annan Plan by the electorate of the Republic of Cyprus on 26 April 2004, the accession of a united Cyprus to the EU on 1 May 2004 was not possible. Since 1 May 2004 the Republic of Cyprus has been a Member State of the EU but, in the absence of a...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (27 Sep 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Within the EU and in the relevant international and regional organisations, Ireland actively promotes respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms worldwide. In this context, we monitor reports of abuses of religious freedom wherever they occur. The UN Special Rapporteur on Religious Freedom or Belief, Ms Asma Jahangir, engages actively with a wide range of countries on incidents and...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Department of Foreign Affairs has raised the murders in Loughin Island on 18 June 1994 with the British Government through the British Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat. With regard to the recent reports in question, an update from the PSNI on this and other aspects of the case has been requested, as well as details of steps being taken to keep the families informed of developments....

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 310 and 311 together. I have noted the contents of Resolution 1418 of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the report prepared for the Assembly by the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights. While the Resolution is not binding on the State concerned, we would expect that Russia would take due notice of the recommendations contained...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland currently has diplomatic relations with Cuba on a non-resident basis. The Irish Ambassador to Mexico is also accredited to Cuba. The opening of Irish Missions abroad is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis. Any expansion of our diplomatic network is considered and undertaken having regard to clear priorities. In this regard, there are no plans to change the status of our...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 318 together. The situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a matter of high priority for Ireland, the EU and the United Nations. Since the 2002 Sun City peace accords, major strides have been made in re-establishing a democratic and effective system of government in the DRC. The Transitional National Government and Parliament have...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Government is very concerned at the increasingly serious situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and especially at the prospect of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We, and our EU partners, are firmly convinced that this crisis must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. The Government has been active in the EU and at the UN in the promotion of a peaceful outcome. Over the...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The work of this Department is funded through two Votes: Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 29 (International Cooperation). With regard to Vote 28, total funding of €21,217,604 was disbursed to non-governmental agencies or organisations between 2004 and 2006. 2004 2005 2006 (to date) Vote 28 €8,102,567 €11,379,258 €1,735,778 In percentage...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: On 18 December 2002, the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Draft Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OP-CAT). Ireland, along with other EU partners, fully supported the draft Optional Protocol and worked for its adoption at the UN General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights....

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The question of appropriate accountability mechanisms for the activities of the police and security services is of particular importance. Specifically in the context of the decision of the British Government to transfer primacy for national security matters in Northern Ireland to MI5 from 2007, the Government shares concerns that have been raised, including those recently expressed by the...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my replies of 30 May, 14 June and 29 June 2006 to Questions on this matter. I remain concerned about this case, which has been raised with the Israeli authorities by our Embassy in Tel Aviv. The Embassy is continuing to monitor the situation closely, in co-operation with the Embassies of other EU Member States. The person concerned was arrested on 23 May 2005, and on 16...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Four bodies come under the aegis of this Department. Two of these, namely, the Advisory Board for Irish Aid and the Development Education Advisory Committee are funded under Vote 29 (International Cooperation) as part of the Irish Aid Programme. In 2006, their budget allocations are €1.2million and €25,000 respectively. The Díon Committee is an advisory committee to the Irish Government...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: No fees are paid to the chairpersons of the Advisory Board for Development Cooperation Ireland, the Development Education Advisory Committee or the Board of the Ireland — United States Commission for Educational Exchange (Fulbright Commission). In the case of the fourth body under the aegis of the Department, an official of the Embassy in London acts, without additional remuneration, as...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (6 Jul 2006)

Dermot Ahern: During the period in question, two task forces were created to inform specific areas of the work of this Department. Both have since completed their work and reported back to the Department. In December 2002, the then Minister of State, Mr. Tom Kitt, set up a Task Force on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to provide advice regarding how best to integrate ICT across the Irish...