Results 14,901-14,920 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Emigrant Issues. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: They want to set up another quango which will not be responsible to this House.

Emigrant Issues. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: It would cost approximately €1 million. The Department has already set up the Irish Abroad unit which is responsible to this House.

Emigrant Issues. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: This organisation disseminates much-needed money to groups in the United Kingdom and in America and elsewhere. Deputy Allen's party and the Labour Party proposed to spend some of that money setting up an independent quango which would not be responsible to this House. It was to that I referred.

Emigrant Issues. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I would have no problem with that, but there have been all-party delegations from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Emigrant Issues. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: If the committee wishes to go again I would have no problem with that.

Emigrant Issues. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: It would complement my efforts and those of my officials and the embassies.

Emigrant Issues. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Absolutely. We encouraged the committee in that work.

Emigrant Issues. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I did not know Deputy Allen was so sensitive. I am delighted to see that he reads our propaganda.

Emigrant Issues. (4 Apr 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Deputy Michael Higgins was propagandising at the weekend. I was listening to some of the ráiméis that came out of him about benchmarking and the conscience of the people within this so-called arrangement. We noted that the leader of the Labour Party did not once mention Northern Ireland.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (30 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: One member of the staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs was on suspension with pay on 31 December 2005. The officer's suspension relates to a matter which is being investigated by the Department under the terms of the Civil Service grievance and disciplinary procedures — Department of Finance circular 1/92. No officer was on suspension with pay on 31 December 2004.

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

Dermot Ahern: I have followed with concern the case of Mr. Abdul Rahman who was charged in Afghanistan with apostasy for converting from Islam to Christianity, a charge punishable by death under Sharia law. I am pleased to hear that Mr. Rahman was released from custody in the past couple of days and I welcome reports that he is likely to be accepted by a third country. The EU has been monitoring the...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 184 together. I am aware of reports that are circulating on the issues raised. I am unable at present, however, to confirm the reliability of these reports, but I have asked my Department, in particular through the embassy in Beijing, to look into the situation as a matter of urgency and to report back to me. Without prejudice to the outcome of the...

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

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of the Ataka party in Bulgaria. At the most recent election in June 2005 the party received 9% of the vote. It does not form part of the governing coalition and the policies it advocates are not those of the Bulgarian Government. The existence of anti-Roma sentiment is unfortunately a feature of society in parts of central and eastern Europe where most of Europe's Roma live,...

Written Answers — Marriage Certificates: Marriage Certificates (29 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I am pleased to confirm to the Deputy that the applications by the persons to whom he has referred have been approved and that the certificates confirming their freedom to marry have been issued.

European Council: Statements. (29 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I thank the speakers although I do not agree with all that they said. Both the Taoiseach and I made clear our concerns in regard to the security of energy supply at the dinner and also at the formal Council meeting. During my time as Minister with responsibility for energy I said that one size does not fit all in regard to competition and the deregulation of the energy market within Europe....

European Council: Statements. (29 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: We have made this point clear——

European Council: Statements. (29 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: ——despite what Deputy Gormley and his cohorts might try to say. I say it as it is in terms of the energy mix we have which will exclude the nuclear option as long as this Government is in office.

European Council: Statements. (29 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: It does mean then——

European Council: Statements. (29 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: ——that we have a much more difficult issue in terms of the continuity of the security of supply——

European Council: Statements. (29 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: ——in regard to the type of fuel and energy mix we require. As Minister, I started the ball rolling in regard to the east-west interconnector. It was our view that this should be rapidly brought forward, and my successor in that office has done this.