Results 14,641-14,660 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Human Rights Issues: Motion. (13 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "noting that: —the Government have on numerous occasions voiced their complete opposition to the practice of so-called "extraordinary rendition" (hereinafter referred to as "extraordinary rendition"); —the Government have responded urgently from the outset to allegations of extraordinary...

Human Rights Issues: Motion. (13 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy said we did not send the gardaí on to the airplanes. I do not have the power, nor should any Minister have the power——

Human Rights Issues: Motion. (13 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: ——to send gardaí on to an airplane or premises.

Human Rights Issues: Motion. (13 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I did not interrupt the Deputy.

Human Rights Issues: Motion. (13 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: As I stated previously, identification by NGOs and the media of aircraft — I can shout the Deputy down — that are alleged to have been involved in extraordinary rendition activity has been possible only months, at the earliest, after such operations are said to have taken place. Furthermore, civilian aircraft of the type in question are not, under international law, required to apply for...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (8 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 125 together. I share the serious concern which has been widely expressed about the allegations regarding events in Haditha in November 2005 which resulted in the deaths of Iraqi civilians. In its discussions with the US administration on the situation in Iraq, the Government has always made the point very clearly that the use of force in civilian...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (8 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: A passport is an identity document issued by the State. It is usually provided in the name in which the person's birth was registered or in their married name when so requested. The long form of the birth certificate and, as the case may be, the marriage certificate are required as supporting documents. If a person seeks a passport in a form of his/her name other than that supported by...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (7 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: At this decisive period in the peace process, as we focus on the challenge of getting a fully functioning Assembly and Executive up and running, it is important to underline the valuable work being done on the ground by countless dedicated individuals from the community and voluntary sectors to foster good community relations and build peace and reconciliation. Without reconciliation, there...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (7 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of the report on the criminal justice system in Kosovo published by the Human Rights Watch NGO on 30 May 2006. As the Deputy is aware, the report, which looks primarily at the criminal justice response to the March 2004 violence in Kosovo, identifies general shortcomings in policing and the judiciary in Kosovo. The report is also critical of the effectiveness of the various...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (7 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy indicated, this person reported his previous passport and Irish visa lost. My Department is not aware of any new application for an Irish visa being made by the applicant. Visa applications made in Pakistan are lodged by applicants with the Honorary Consul in Karachi and are normally referred to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform for decision. I am informed that...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (1 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland holds the view that those detained in Guantánamo must be treated in accordance with the requirements of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. This position is shared by our EU partners, and the issue was most recently discussed at last weekend's meeting of Foreign Ministers. It was agreed that human rights and humanitarian standards have to be maintained...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (1 Jun 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Government has discussed the issue of sectarianism with the DUP on a number of occasions in recent months. On 18 November 2005, a meeting was held between the Government and a DUP delegation at Government Buildings. The context at that time included the attacks that had taken place in North Antrim and elsewhere during the summer of 2005 and the violence that had occurred during the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (30 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 362, 363, 367 and 374 together. I refer the Deputies to my reply of 3 May 2006 to a Question on this matter. The Government has followed this case through the Embassy in Tel Aviv and in cooperation with EU partners. The person concerned was arrested on 23 May 2005, and on 16 June 2005 the Israeli authorities ordered his administrative detention for six months....

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (30 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The ongoing problems with sectarian crime in the North Antrim area are a cause of very serious concern. The most recent manifestation of this was the murder of Michael McIlveen. This incident was a shocking reminder that sectarian hatred and violence still plague communities across Northern Ireland. Following this tragic death, we raised specific concerns about the security situation in the...

Written Answers — Consular Services: Consular Services (30 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The person in question was charged in July 2000. I am aware that, since his trial, he has claimed that he was pressured by his legal team on the day of his trial to change his earlier plea of 'innocent' to one of 'guilty' and that he was informed that if he did not do so he would receive thirty years without parole. He further claims that forensic evidence exists which, if examined, would...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (30 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I had a very good meeting with Prime Minister Howard in Dublin on 22 May during his visit to Ireland. We discussed a wide range of foreign policy issues, including the situation in Iraq. We agreed that the confirmation of the new national unity Government in Iraq on 21 May was a very positive and significant step. We also discussed the prospects for progress in meeting the very serious...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (30 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: There are four bodies under the aegis of my Department, namely the Advisory Board of Irish Aid (ABIA), the Development Education Advisory Committee (DEAC), the Ireland — United States Commission for Educational Exchange (the Fulbright Commission) and the Díon Committee. The Advisory Board for Irish Aid is an independent body which works closely with the Government's Official Development...

Written Answers — Refugee Policy: Refugee Policy (30 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The term Programme Refugees is the expression that prior to 1996 was commonly given to refugees admitted into Ireland by Government Decision. These Government Decisions each set out the rights and entitlements of those admitted into Ireland. The expression was then used in the Refugee Act of 1996, section 24 of which gives a statutory basis to the rights and entitlements of refugees admitted...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (30 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Since Slovenia declared its independence from the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1991, Ireland has enjoyed excellent relations with Slovenia both bilaterally and, since May 2004, as fellow Member States of the European Union. In recent years, we have been making a special effort to deepen our relations with the new Member States, including Slovenia, and this will continue...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (30 May 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 371 to 373, inclusive, together. I refer the Deputy to my replies to Questions on this matter on 17 and 24 May 2006. The Government shares the concerns about the increasingly difficult situation facing the Palestinian people. We have been consistently active within the EU and the UN in promoting a lasting, peaceful and just settlement of the...