Results 15,541-15,560 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Human Rights Issues. (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: We utterly condemn torture that is meted out in contravention of any of these conventions. When media reports have raised the specific issue of the use of Shannon, I have repeatedly instructed my officials to raise the matter with the US authorities. We have been given categorical assurances on this matter. It is the same situation as pertained over the past 50 years about the use of Shannon,...

Human Rights Issues. (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Two days ago, Human Rights Watch released a statement providing additional background data about allegations that were supposed to have been made against two unnamed European states. Human Rights Watch said that aircraft alleged to have been involved in the transportation of prisoners by the CIA landed in airports in seven EU member states, namely Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal,...

Human Rights Issues. (10 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: We have jurisdiction only in this territory. We can do nothing else. We can condemn torture if it happens elsewhere, and I would condemn it in Poland and Romania, where it is suggested it happens. No evidence, however, has been tendered to date to lead to a substantial belief, as is required under the European Court of Human Rights, in this issue. I encourage anyone to bring forward credible...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (9 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware that Mr. Gerry Adams visited South Africa from 18-21 October last at the invitation of the South African Government. The embassy played no substantive role in organising the programme for the visit. Its involvement was limited to a lunch at the residence of the Irish Ambassador on 18 October. Guests at the lunch included members of the Irish community, NGO representatives and South...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (9 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 to 254, inclusive, together. The Department of Foreign Affairs does not participate in the Gartner executive programme and, accordingly, the issues of internal audit scrutiny, value for money, membership and numbers of companies competing for this service do not apply. I can confirm that no officials of this Department have attended as VIP guests at the...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (9 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: In the time available it is not possible to review the detailed specifications of every contract entered into by the Department since 1995. To the best of my knowledge, no contract has overrun financially for the reason specified by the Deputy. I should explain to the Deputy that for the period 2000 to 2004 alone, the Department entered into contractual arrangements with approximately 500...

Leaders' Questions. (9 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: To which Labour Party does the Deputy refer?

Leaders' Questions. (9 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Does he refer to the Democratic Left wing of the Labour Party?

Leaders' Questions. (9 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: It is plagiarism.

Leaders' Questions. (9 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: He cannot remember.

Written Answers — National Airspace: National Airspace (8 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government regards unauthorised incursions by the British security forces into this jurisdiction as a serious matter. On each occasion on which my Department is notified of an incident, the matter is immediately raised with the British authorities through the British-Irish Secretariat in Belfast. This was the case with the Rassan incident, which has also been taken up again through the...

Written Answers — Repatriation of Foreign Nationals: Repatriation of Foreign Nationals (8 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Department of Foreign Affairs has no funds at its disposal to repatriate the remains of nationals of other states. However, in order to be as helpful as possible, an official of the Department raised with the responsible embassy in Dublin whether the relevant national authorities would provide financial support for the repatriation of the remains. The official was informed that the...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (8 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. 2002 2003 2004 â'¬ â'¬ â'¬ Training 2,643.36 3,308.36 4,781.11 Translation 7,751.69 192,664.91 43,616.98 Advertising 20,718.51 23,996.70 111,470.40 Bilingual Signage 4,367.00 167.98 247.43 Other: Printing of Passport Forms 161,738.15 156,979.35 168,667.39 Other: Printing of...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (8 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Under the Government's decentralisation programme, the development co-operation directorate of the Department of Foreign Affairs, currently based in Dublin, is scheduled to decentralise to Limerick. This will involve the relocation to Limerick of 123 posts and is scheduled to take place during the first quarter of 2007. While a small number of staff are involved in the management of the...

Written Answers — Emigrant Services: Emigrant Services (8 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Significant advances continue to be made in progressing initiatives which benefit Irish people abroad, including securing substantially increased funding for this purpose. The high priority which the Government attaches to this area of national policy is reflected in the establishment of a dedicated unit in my Department, the Irish abroad unit, to work exclusively on the issue. Funding for...

Written Answers — Irish Prisoners Abroad: Irish Prisoners Abroad (8 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: When Irish citizens are sentenced to terms in prison abroad they are entitled under the Vienna convention on consular relations to seek consular assistance from the Department of Foreign Affairs, through the relevant Irish diplomatic mission. The mission will seek to ensure that prisoners are treated in a non-discriminatory manner; that their living conditions are as humane as possible; that...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (8 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: There are four boards-committees under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs: the advisory board for Development Co-operation Ireland; the development education advisory committee; the board of the Ireland-United States Commission for Educational Exchange — Fulbright Commission; and the Díon committee, an advisory committee to the Government on the situation of Irish emigrants in...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (8 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: A multiple entry visa was issued to the person concerned by the Department of Foreign Affairs visa office on 28 October last. All documentation, including the passport with the visa attached was returned on that date by registered post to the address indicated by the applicant. Its receipt has also been separately confirmed.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (3 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Department of Foreign Affairs has offices in two locations on the north side of Dublin. These are the passport office in Balbriggan and the archives section in Finglas. Neither office is scheduled to decentralise.

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (3 Nov 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply of 25 October 2005 on the release of Rory Carroll. The question of the payment of a ransom did not arise in our consideration of the case, nor in any discussions which we had.