Results 14,561-14,580 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 96 together. Human trafficking is an important issue for the European Union. It was mentioned in the conclusions of this month's European Council, having previously been discussed at the Justice and Home Affairs Council. The matter came before the General Affairs and External Relations Council, which examined the draft conclusions of the European...

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

Dermot Ahern: On the outbreak of the war in Iraq, the Taoiseach moved a motion which was adopted by the Dáil on 20 March 2003, which reaffirmed Ireland's commitment to the United Nations as the guarantor of collective global security and the appropriate forum for the resolution of disputes threatening international peace and security. In his statement to the House, the Taoiseach acknowledged that there...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87 and 160 together. The significant progress achieved in Afghanistan over the past four years should be acknowledged, although clearly considerable challenges still remain. The Afghan people have elected a President and Parliament and have a legitimate elected Government which is working to consolidate the progress that has been made. For the first time,...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 105 together. As I outlined in my reply of 24 May 2006 to a parliamentary question on this issue, consular assistance is provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs in a wide variety of circumstances, with each situation being assessed on a case-by-case basis, having regard to all the factors involved. Since 1997, an advancement of the funds by the...

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

Dermot Ahern: The EU's policy on Cuba is as set out in the Common Position agreed on 2 December 1996, during the then Irish Presidency. The General Affairs and External Relations Council reaffirmed the Common Position's validity on 12 June 2006. The Council's Conclusions on Cuba, which were also adopted on 12 June 2006, reiterated that constructive engagement remains the basis of the EU's policy with the...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 114 together. I would refer the Deputy to my statement in Dáil Éireann of 13 June 2006, where I gave the House a detailed account of the matter to which the Deputies' questions refer, and to my reply to today's priority question on the same matter. On the basis of discussions which my officials and I have had with the US authorities, I have no reason...

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

Dermot Ahern: The Government has consistently been a strong supporter of the right to self-determination of the Saharawi people. Ireland played a prominent role in seeking a solution to the Western Sahara dispute during its term on the UN Security Council. The Government has remained closely engaged with the issue, particularly in discussions at EU level and at the United Nations. Although there has been...

Written Answers — International Criminal Court: International Criminal Court (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court entered into force on 1 July 2002 and to date has been ratified or acceded to by 100 states. An additional 43 states have signed the Statute, subject to ratification. The Rome Statute has been ratified by all but one of the EU Member States. Together with our partners in the European Union, Ireland has been a consistent and strong supporter...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware that Leonard Peltier is a US citizen who was convicted in 1977 of the murders of two FBI Agents and was sentenced to two consecutive terms of life imprisonment. I also understand that a campaign has been mounted over the years seeking to overturn this conviction. I do not propose to make representations on this case.

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Government attaches the highest priority to the welfare of the undocumented Irish in the United States. We emphasise our strong support for measures that would enable the undocumented to regularise their status and have open to them a path to permanent residency in all of our dealings with contacts in the US Administration and Legislature. The Taoiseach and I raised this issue with...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 153 together. Ireland has a small diplomatic service and any expansion of its network of resident Missions abroad must be approached on a phased basis, having regard to clear priorities. While there are no plans at present to establish new Embassies, the question of opening further resident Missions abroad is considered by the Government on an ongoing...

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

Dermot Ahern: There has been no recent discussion on the sales of arms to Africa at the General Affairs and External Relations Council but the European Council, at its meeting on 15-16 December 2005, adopted an EU Strategy to combat the illicit accumulation and trafficking of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition. While this Strategy has a global geographic scope, it identifies Africa as the...

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

Dermot Ahern: In recent months the Government has had discussions with various parties to the Parades issue, including the leadership of the Loyal Orders, the political parties, residents groups and the relevant British authorities. Our meetings have focused in particular on the small number of areas where there are continuing tensions, including West Belfast, Ardoyne, Short Strand, Dunloy and Portadown....

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

Dermot Ahern: The Criminal Justice Review, established pursuant to the Good Friday Agreement, considered the question of community restorative justice schemes in the context of strengthening support for the criminal justice system. It concluded that, in certain circumstances, such schemes had a useful role to play, but emphasised the need to operate within certain well-defined criteria. As part of the...

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

Dermot Ahern: As indicated to the House, most recently on 24 May 2006, the case for ratification of this Convention has been examined by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which has lead responsibility on the issue. Both Departments are aware of the advice referred to by the Deputy. However, as previously indicated, the rights of migrant workers and their...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 151 together. I refer the Deputy to my replies of 30 May and 14 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 cooperation with the Embassies of other EU Member States. The person...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Relations: Diplomatic Relations (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: While the Government has in the past had contact with Prime Minister Djukanovic, most notably during the visit which my predecessor Minister Cowen made to the region in May 2003, I have not myself been in direct contact with him. At its meeting on 20 June 2006 the Government, in line with the common EU position as agreed at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 12 June,...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together. I refer the Deputies to my answer to a similar Question on 24th May of this year. As indicated on that occasion, the Convention was opened for signature on 9 December 2003 and was signed by Ireland on that date. It entered into force on 14 December, 2005. My colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, who has lead...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (29 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: In 2005, a decision was taken that children travelling from Belarus for recuperation visits under the auspices of various Chernobyl groups would require visas to enter Ireland. This requirement was made effective for most groups as from 1 January 2006 and will apply to all groups from 1 January 2007. Prior to the visa requirement coming into effect, detailed discussions took place between the...

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

Dermot Ahern: The EU currently has three candidate countries, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey. Accession negations have begun with both Croatia and Turkey. In line with the conclusions of the European Council meeting in Copenhagen in June 1993, in order to be granted candidate country status, applicant states are expected to have made progress towards meeting the necessary...