Results 14,541-14,560 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 51 together. Agreement on the basis for US-India civil nuclear cooperation was reached on 2 March 2006 between President Bush and Prime Minister Singh during the former's visit to India. Under the agreement, India has agreed, inter alia, to identify and separate civilian and military nuclear facilities and programmes and to file a declaration regarding...

Written Answers — EU Constitution: EU Constitution (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 64, 79 and 118 together. The European Council on 15/16 June accepted that more time and further work are needed before firm decisions can be taken on the future of the EU Constitution, which has now been ratified by 15 Member States. The European Council expressed the hope that the ratification process will be completed. There is no specific deadline for...

Written Answers — Naval Service Vessels: Naval Service Vessels (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: In keeping with the friendly relations between Ireland and the United Kingdom, incoming and outgoing visits by our respective Naval Services are organised from time to time. Proposed visits are examined on a case-by-case basis before diplomatic clearance is granted. The visit of HMS Ocean to Dublin is non-operational, informal and 'goodwill' in nature. The ship will dock in Dublin Port from...

Written Answers — Debt and Development Coalition: Debt and Development Coalition (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: NEPAD, the New Partnership for Africa's Development, is an African-owned and led initiative which is intended to eradicate poverty and promote and achieve sustainable development in Africa in the 21st century. It is based on the recognition that the primary responsibility for Africa's future lies not in the hands of donors or multilateral institutions but in the actions of Africa's...

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 46, 62 and 102 together. I attended the European Council on 15/16th June in place of the Taoiseach. The Taoiseach reported to the Dáil on the outcome of the Council on Wednesday 21st June. The June European Council dealt with a wide range of issues, but its main focus was on the European Constitution. The Council had an extended discussion concerning the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 52 together. I would refer Deputies to my statement to Dáil Éireann of 13 June 2006, in which I addressed the question of aircraft inspection comprehensively. This statement sets out my clear and precise views at this time on all aspects of the extraordinary rendition issue. As was also pointed out in my statement, and as conveyed directly to the...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: There are a number of programmes within my Department which support educational initiatives. While some of the supported activity takes place within Ireland, most of the monies are expended on educational initiatives overseas, particularly in the developing countries. The Department's Reconciliation Fund, which supports organisations involved in promoting improved relations between the two...

Written Answers — Human Trafficking: Human Trafficking (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 66 together. As stated to the House, most recently on 24 May 2006, the Government is fully committed to the active promotion of full observance of universal human rights standards, and opposes, and seeks the elimination of, the practice of human trafficking. The importance of addressing trafficking in persons has been recognised by Ireland and our EU...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Under the Government's decentralisation programme, the Development Cooperation Directorate of the Department of Foreign Affairs, which is the Headquarters of Irish Aid and currently based in Dublin, will decentralise to Limerick. The Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the provision of office accommodation for the Directorate in Limerick. The OPW has identified a suitable location...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: When the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Blair met at Farmleigh on 26 January, they said that 2006 would be the decisive year for the peace process. On 6 April in Armagh, they set out the Governments' joint strategy for achieving a fully functioning Assembly and Executive this year, announcing that the Assembly would meet from 15 May and that Members would be given until 24 November, at the...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Section 5 of the Transfer of Execution of Sentences Act 2005 provides that the Minister for Foreign Affairs may, by order, designate for the purposes of that Act a country that has become party to, or has given effect in its laws to, the Additional Protocol to the Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons of 18 December 1997 or the Schengen Convention of 19 June 1990. As the Deputy will...

Written Answers — Nuclear Plants: Nuclear Plants (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The UK Government is in no doubt as to the Government's views in relation to the risks posed to Ireland by nuclear facilities on the west coast of Great Britain, including Sellafield and Wylfa. Our views in this regard have been expressed strongly and repeatedly. Together with my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government, I met with the Secretary of State for...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The 16th report of the Policing Oversight Commissioner issued earlier this month was an encouraging reminder of the progress that has been made in the reform of policing in Northern Ireland. Some 124 of the 175 Patten recommendations have been fully implemented. Most importantly, the primary institutions of policing — the Policing Board, the PSNI and the Police Ombudsman — are found to...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 67, 82 and 147 together. I have made it clear that I believe that the Guantánamo Bay camp should be closed as soon as possible. More generally, the Government has raised the issue of the detainees in Guantánamo Bay with the US Authorities on numerous occasions. This was done at the highest level when the Taoiseach, accompanied by myself, raised our concerns...

Written Answers — Democratisation Initiatives: Democratisation Initiatives (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The EU will be deploying a 250-strong Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) to the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled to take place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on 30 July 2006. These will be the first multi-party elections in the DRC in over forty years and their successful conduct is absolutely critical to the consolidation of peace and security in...

Written Answers — Departmental Recruitment: Departmental Recruitment (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I presume that the main part of the Deputy's question relates to recruitment to the diplomatic service. Third Secretary is the recruitment grade for the service, and is the first step towards more senior posts in the Department. Competitions for Third Secretary posts are conducted on the Department's behalf by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). The minimum educational requirement is a...

Written Answers — Common Foreign and Security Policy: Common Foreign and Security Policy (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 113 together. The European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) is an integral part of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and serves the Union's general objectives of peace and stability. These objectives and the provisions governing ESDP are set out in the Treaties of Amsterdam and of Nice, which were approved by referendum. In this context,...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: On 23 February 2006, the trial began of a group of 129 people, including members of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), journalists and civil society activists. Several of the CUD members on trial were elected to public office in May 2005. The Ethiopian authorities claim that the group was responsible for launching and organising the June and November 2005 riots, as part of an agenda...

Written Answers — Arms Trade: Arms Trade (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I understand that the report, referred to by the Deputy, was only released on 11 June 2006. It is still being studied by my Department. While I could not, therefore, have raised the Report with my Chinese counterpart, Minister Li, when we met on 12 May in Beijing, I did discuss the broader question of the internal conflict in Sudan. Minister Li emphasised China's support for the Darfur Peace...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: On 21 May, the Iraqi Parliament approved the new national unity Government presented by Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki. The formation of the Government was completed when the crucial positions of Defence, Interior and National Security Ministers were filled on 8 June. The new Cabinet is very broadly based, and it includes the main parties representing the Sunni community. This is a welcome and...