Results 15,481-15,500 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — UN Reform: UN Reform (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The UN World Summit held last September in New York agreed a balanced and extensive package of UN reforms. I was honoured to have contributed to the summit outcome in my role as one of the envoys appointed by Secretary General Annan to support his recommendations for change aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the UN. These changes must be implemented if today's common challenges in the...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 78, 95 and 139 together. The need to cope with the challenges of managing an enlarged Union of 25 or more members was one of the reasons for embarking on the process that led to the elaboration of the treaty establishing a constitution for Europe. The position as regards the ratification of the European constitution is that a total of 13 countries might be...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 30 together. In a statement I made on Monday, 24 October to mark the tenth anniversary of Aung San Suu Kyi's detention under house arrest, I reiterated Ireland's clear position on Burma. Together with our EU partners we condemn the abuse of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Burma and deplore the lack of progress towards democracy. Our goal...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The obligation on member states to transpose EU legislation relates to EU directives. EU regulations do not need to be transposed, as they are directly applicable. If the EU Commission considers that a member state has failed to fulfil an obligation, such as failure to transpose a directive or incorrectly transposing a directive, it can — under Article 226 of the treaty — issue a reasoned...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The EU has given a clear commitment that the long-term future of the western Balkans, including Kosovo, rests within the European Union. The Union has taken a lead role in working to consolidate peace and stability and to promote economic development, respect for human rights and the rule of law in the region. Kosovo has been under UN administration, in accordance with Security Council...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The International Criminal Court issued indictments on 13 October 2005 for the arrest of five Lord's Resistance Army, LRA, commanders, including the LRA leader, Joseph Kony. This represents a historic development for the court and it is now incumbent on all those involved, including any neighbouring states in which the LRA leaders concerned may be sheltering, to facilitate the arrest of the...

Written Answers — Arms Trade: Arms Trade (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The regulation of arms exports is legally a matter for national authorities, subject to internationally agreed restrictions, such as all EU, OSCE and UN arms embargoes. The Government does not have access to information on the precise details on armaments contracts made by other EU member states. However, the promotion and support of international efforts to secure appropriate safeguards on...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am presuming that the Deputy's question relates in its entirety to the staffing of the Department's development co-operation directorate. The Taoiseach announced at the UN Millennium Review Summit in New York on 14 September that the Government will reach the target of spending 0.7% of GNP on official development assistance by 2012. We have agreed a number of steps along the way to...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 41, 42, 54, 61, 81, 97 and 102 together. I would refer the Deputies to my reply to Questions Nos. 13 and 14 of today. The troops referred to by Deputy Ó Snodaigh were transiting through Shannon Airport to the US from the Middle East on a home-leave flight.

Written Answers — Colombian Peace Process: Colombian Peace Process (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 94 and 100 together. At its most recent meeting, on 7 November 2005, the General Affairs and External Relations Council discussed the need for intensified support for the peace process in Colombia in line with the conclusions on Colombia it adopted on 3 October 2005. It was agreed in the conclusions adopted at the meeting on 3 October that the recently...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy will be aware, the European Council in June 2005 failed to reach agreement on the future financial perspectives. While the great majority of member states could accept the Luxembourg Presidency's final compromise package of 17 June, a small number of countries remained opposed for a variety of reasons. These included the proposed reduction of the UK rebate, the level of net...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: On 31 October, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1636, welcoming the report of the UN International Investigation Commission into the assassination of the former Prime Minister of Lebanon, Mr. Rafiq Hariri, in Beirut on 14 February 2005. The commission, under the German investigator, Mr. Detlev Mehlis, submitted an interim report on 19 October which indicated that major...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: On 18 December 2002, the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Draft Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment, OP-CAT. Ireland, along with other EU partners, fully supported the draft optional protocol and worked for its adoption at the UN General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights. The object of...

Written Answers — Common Foreign and Security Policy: Common Foreign and Security Policy (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Terrorism is recognised as a major threat to the security of the European Union and of its citizens. Terrorism puts lives at risk. It imposes large costs. It seeks to undermine the openness and tolerance of European societies. It poses a strategic threat to the whole of Europe. The European Union is determined to take all necessary actions to counter the terrorist threat. The fight against...

Written Answers — Kidnapping Incident: Kidnapping Incident (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I know that everyone in this House was delighted by the release of Mr. Rory Carroll and shared the enormous sense of relief felt by all people in Ireland. I pay tribute to the dignity and composure of the Carroll family throughout their whole ordeal. I wish also to record the Government's appreciation to all who helped achieve this happy outcome. In particular, throughout the ordeal, we...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 92 together. The allegation that there is or has been a network of secret prisons in Europe is a matter of very deep concern. The existence of such secret prisons would plainly be in breach of international law and of the principles upon which the EU is founded: liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law....

Written Answers — Overseas Property Investment: Overseas Property Investment (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: In line with UN Security Council Resolutions 541 of 1983 and 550 of 1984, which are binding on all members of the United Nations, Ireland does not recognise the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus". The Republic of Cyprus has been a member state of the EU since 1 May 2004. In the absence of a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem, the application of the laws and...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions 45 and 80 together. The situation in Iraq so far this year has been characterised by real progress in the political reconstruction of the country. This has, unfortunately, been accompanied by a continuing campaign of serious violence, aimed principally at the new Iraqi Government and its officials, and also at ordinary Iraqi civilians. The violence continues to...

Written Answers — EU Constitution: EU Constitution (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 46, 60, 87 and 140 together. The White Paper on the European Constitution, which was published on 13 October, is designed to give a fair and factual description of the constitution and an outline of the broad approach taken by Ireland to its negotiation. It has been widely distributed, including to schools, libraries, public representatives, and voluntary...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 48 and 146 together. The North-South Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in Nairobi on 9 January 2005 was a major step forward, providing new hope for the future of Sudan. A new Government of National Unity was established in July, when the new constitution came into effect. Following the accidental death in a plane crash of First Vice-President and...