Results 15,141-15,160 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Undocumented Irish Emigrants: Undocumented Irish Emigrants (8 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The legislative debate on immigration reform in the United States has entered a critical phase with various proposals under consideration, including the Bill sponsored by Senators Kennedy and McCain. As the Deputy is aware, their approach is particularly attractive to the undocumented Irish as it offers a path to permanent residency. The Government attaches the highest priority to the issue...

Written Answers — Landing Rights: Landing Rights (8 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Matters relating to operations carried out by the Garda Síochána should be referred to my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. In respect of questions relating to allegations of abuse at Shannon Airport, I refer the Deputy to my many previous replies on the issue, most recently that of 2 February 2006.

Written Answers — Nuclear Disarmament Initiative: Nuclear Disarmament Initiative (8 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The question of Iran's nuclear programme is kept under constant review and is also the subject of regular discussions with my ministerial colleagues within the European Union. At the last meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council in Brussels on 30 January, we expressed grave concern at Iran's decision to resume enrichment related activities. Such unilateral steps are not...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (7 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: This matter has been raised on a number of occasions in the Dáil, most recently in response to Questions Nos. 677 and 680 on 25 January 2006. The case for ratification has been examined by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which has lead responsibility on the issue. It should be noted that the rights of migrant workers and their families,...

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

Dermot Ahern: The total number of visa applications processed by the visa office in Dublin in December 2005 was 1,670. While precise statistics on the number of countries in question are not available, the countries of origin from which most applications were received were: Pakistan, 311; Nigeria, 251; India, 176; Philippines, 134; and Romania, 161. It is not normally the practice of the visa office to...

Written Answers — Emigrant Supports: Emigrant Supports (7 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Significant progress continues to be made on initiatives which benefit our Irish community abroad. A particularly positive development is the very substantial level of funding now available. In 2006, the unprecedented amount of €12 million has been secured for emigrant services. This figure, which represents an increase of 45% on 2005, is a clear reflection of the Government's firm...

Written Answers — Emigrant Supports: Emigrant Supports (7 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The Government attaches the highest priority to the issue of the undocumented Irish in the United States. We raise our concerns in all of our contacts with US political leaders and emphasise the importance of addressing the situation in a positive and sympathetic way. In raising this matter with our US contacts, we of course appreciate that immigration is a highly divisive issue. The extent...

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

Dermot Ahern: Ireland opposes, and seeks the elimination of the practice of human trafficking. The Taoiseach, in his intervention at the Council of Europe's Third Summit in Warsaw on 16 and 17 May 2005, welcomed the adoption of the Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings, as well as the conventions on terrorism opened for signature at the summit, as "[laying] down a strong marker that...

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

Dermot Ahern: I have not met with the particular organisation referred to by the Deputy. The Government, of course, monitors the human rights situation in Iran closely, through our embassy in Tehran and in co-operation with our partners in the EU. This involves regular contact with non-governmental organisations both within and outside Iran. We remain seriously concerned about human rights issues in Iran,...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (7 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Where it is sought to transport munitions of war through Irish territory, the permission of the Minister for Transport, in the case of civilian aircraft, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in the case of foreign military aircraft, is required. The grant of such permission depends upon several different factors, among them air safety, Ireland's obligations under international agreements,...

Written Answers — European Legislation: European Legislation (7 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I have noted the opinion of advocate general of the Court of Justice of the European Communities, Mr. Philippe Léger, given on 22 November 2005, in cases C-317/04 and C-318/04 concerning the transfer of air passenger name records to the US authorities. The advocate general proposes that Commission Decision 2004/535/EC, dated 14 May 2004, and Council Decision 2004/496/EC, dated 17 May 2004,...

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

Dermot Ahern: My Department is responsible for visa applications to our missions abroad. Since January 2006, visa applications made in Ireland are the responsibility of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Visa applications received abroad, and subsequently referred to Dublin, are decided by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. All of our missions abroad are committed to...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (7 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: A search of the records of the Department of Foreign Affairs indicates that, as of 3 February, the following requests have been received since 2001: Year Number 2006 2 2005 7 2004 5 2003 4 2002 0 All of these requests related to US military personnel.

Leaders' Questions. (7 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Living in Drogheda.

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (2 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: The three individuals concerned were released from prison by a Colombian court under conditional freedom on payment of a bond. At the request of the defence team, and given in particular the on-going concern about the safety of the three people, the Department agreed to advance funds to cover the bond on the basis of a firm undertaking to repay the money involved. The decision was taken...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (2 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Only Irish citizens may obtain an Irish passport. Documentary evidence must be provided to confirm an applicant's entitlement to Irish citizenship when first making an application for a passport. On the basis of the information provided by the Deputy, it is not clear on what precise basis the person in question is claiming citizenship. I will therefore outline the requirements which may apply...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (2 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: Irish law permits the transit through Irish territory of a person being detained by the authorities of another state in two circumstances. Section 40(1) of the Extradition Act 1965 allows the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to permit the transit through the State of a person being conveyed from one country to another upon that person's surrender pursuant to an agreement in the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (2 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 120 together. I know of no landings on the State's territory of aircraft which have been illegally carrying prisoners transiting Ireland to Guantanamo Bay or elsewhere. I am aware of media and other reports concerning allegations that aircraft, which it is claimed may at some stage have been used in so-called extraordinary rendition operations between...

Written Answers — Security Issues: Security Issues (2 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of media reports that abductions have been carried out in other states by foreign secret services, and that criminal investigations have been initiated in two European jurisdictions into such abductions. The Government is completely opposed to such abductions and there is no question of any involvement on our part. I am not aware of any suggestion that such activities, which would...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (2 Feb 2006)

Dermot Ahern: No public relations consultants were engaged by the Department in the past three years. However, in the interest of completeness, the Deputy may wish to note the following. Following a tender process, Red Dog Design were employed by the Department, on behalf of the interdepartmental presidency administrative planning group, for work relating to the design and branding for the EU Presidency...