Results 14,961-14,980 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Leaders' Questions. (28 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Will the Deputy tell his people to shut up.

Leaders' Questions. (28 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: He was not interrupted. It was raiméis.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (22 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I am one of the nine foreign affairs ministers who have not received such letters. Ireland is one of a minority of only nine countries, of the 46-strong membership of the Council of Europe, whose replies in this matter have been adjudged to be sufficiently comprehensive not to require further clarification. As I have stated in this House on numerous occasions, and as the Government makes...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (22 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I have not received representations from, nor had meetings with, representatives of the Open Republic Institute.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (22 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The application in question was received by the Irish Embassy in Kuala Lumpur in early February and was referred to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on 9 February for decision. The embassy has been informed that the application was refused and will notify this decision immediately to the applicant. Visa refusals may be appealed within two months by writing to the visa...

Leaders' Questions. (22 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy should check the resolution. He should check the facts.

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (21 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Government attaches the highest priority to the status of the undocumented Irish in the United States, and takes every opportunity in contacts with US political leaders to emphasise the importance of addressing this matter in a pragmatic and sympathetic manner. Most recently, the issue was discussed when the Taoiseach and I met President Bush on St. Patrick's Day. The President was...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (21 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: As I stated in my reply to the Deputy on 14 February 2006, the Department of Foreign Affairs, through the consulate-general in Boston, has closely followed the case of the person mentioned by the Deputy and has been in regular contact with him throughout his detention. The consul-general in Boston also met the defence attorney for the person concerned on 23 January 2006. During the latest...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (21 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 386 and 392 together. The Government attaches the highest priority to the issue of the undocumented Irish in the United States, and actively makes known our concern in all contacts with US political leaders. Most recently, the issue was discussed in the White House last week when the Taoiseach and I met President Bush on St. Patrick's Day. The President was...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (21 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Passport Office would wish to provide a complete on-line application facility as part of its programme of enhancing its service to the public. In pursuit of this, discussions are ongoing with the Reach agency to enable, as a first step, applicants to submit their personal passport details on-line. However, until the level of authentication of identity required for passport security is...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (21 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: In line with the commitments made by the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Blair at their meeting in Farmleigh on 26 January 2006, I have had ongoing contacts with Secretary of State Hain and with the political parties with the aim of advancing arrangements and a timetable for the restoration of the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland as soon as possible. I met the Secretary of State for...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (21 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Intense efforts were made by both Governments in the latter half of 2004 to broker an agreement on the key issues to be resolved to finally and definitively assure peace and political stability in Northern Ireland. The Governments communicated their final proposals for a comprehensive agreement, addressing these key issues, to the DUP and Sinn Féin in early December 2004. The Taoiseach...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (21 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: It has been the policy of successive Irish Governments to limit recognition to states and not formally to recognise governments. Diplomatic relations were established between Ireland and Cuba in 1999. Our ambassador in Mexico City is accredited to Cuba. In 2001, Cuba established an embassy in Dublin which, since October 2005, has been headed by a resident ambassador. I understand that in July...

Written Answers — Children's Rights: Children's Rights (21 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The alleged abduction of children referred to by the Deputy is being addressed by the Irish Central Authority for Child Abduction and by my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell. I understand that judicial proceedings in the matter, under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, have been initiated. Accordingly, the...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (21 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The application will be considered by the interdepartmental advisory committee on the reconciliation fund when it next meets to consider its recommendations to me regarding funding. That is likely to be in early April. The group will be informed in writing once a decision has been made regarding the application.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (9 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: On 1 March 2006, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr. Terry Davis, published a report containing his preliminary analysis — as distinct from specific recommendations — of the 46 replies he received from member states in response to his questionnaire on the possible occurrence of the "unacknowledged deprivation of liberty" in those states. The Government's reply to this...

Written Answers — Presidential Visit: Presidential Visit (9 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: There are a number of protocols which are followed in relation to State and official visits to Ireland by foreign Heads of State. However, it should be noted that President Bush was not in Ireland on a State or official visit. As I have said in reply to a question earlier in the week, permission for President Bush's aircraft to land was granted by my Department in accordance with the normal...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (9 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: My programme is being finalised. However, I will represent the Government at promotional St. Patrick's Day events in Dallas before accompanying the Taoiseach to Washington for the traditional ceremonies at the White House and on Capitol Hill. This special opportunity, unique to Ireland, for direct and detailed dialogue with the President of the United States and his Administration, and also...

Written Answers — UN Resolutions: UN Resolutions (9 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy is aware, the negotiations on the draft resolution establishing the human rights council are still ongoing in New York. The European Union has issued a statement on the text indicating that the draft resolution is acceptable to the Union, even if it does not contain all that we had hoped for. The statement also supports the President of the General Assembly's efforts to secure...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (9 Mar 2006)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy will be aware, the resolution of the status of the undocumented Irish in the United States has a very high priority for the Government. In pursuit of this priority, the coming St. Patrick's Day period provides a particularly valuable opportunity for the Taoiseach and myself to discuss all aspects of the situation with the President, with his Administration and with leading...