Results 15,741-15,760 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Human Rights Issues. (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 67 together. The report by the UN Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan, In Larger Freedom, proposed an agenda for action at the UN 2005 World Summit which took place last month. The central premise of the Secretary General's recommendations was that "we will not enjoy development without security, we will not enjoy security without development, and we will...

Human Rights Issues. (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: In my few words to the UN General Assembly when I gave the statement on behalf of Ireland, I indicated that in my view some of the better elements of the Human Rights Commission should be retained, and particularly I referred to the NGO participation which we believed was important in order to keep Governments and nation states to account. On the question of how we see it pan out, we very...

Human Rights Issues. (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Towards the latter end of the discussions a number of countries which found fault with the peace-building commission even though previously there was general agreement. There is a time limit on the formation of it, that is, by the end of the year. Given the broad spectrum of opinion on the human rights council, it is accepted that it will take some more time. There is no time indicated. We...

Human Rights Issues. (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: ——before the council is put in place.

Human Rights Issues. (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: It is all very well saying that——

Human Rights Issues. (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am trying to explain. There are 191 countries in the UN.

Human Rights Issues. (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Depending on the part of the world to which one goes, they have a completely different view, right across a myriad of these issues such as terrorism. What is terrorism in one part of the world is the complete opposite in another part.

Human Rights Issues. (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: It is exactly the same on the human rights council——

Human Rights Issues. (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: ——that human rights abuses in one part of the world are regarded from a different perspective. That is why there are so many differing views right across the world on how the human rights council will be put in place.

Human Rights Issues. (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: There is agreement in principle on the formation of a human rights council to elevate human rights to a position higher than it holds today within the infrastructure of the UN.

Middle East Peace Process. (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 31 together. The Government and our partners in the EU firmly believe the quartet roadmap remains the best framework for the achievement of a lasting resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The roadmap requires action by both parties, including a freeze on all Israeli settlement activity in the Palestinian territories. The Government has...

Middle East Peace Process. (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I agree with the Deputy. I said earlier that we believe continued expansion of the settlements is illegal and contrary to international law. We have said the same with regard to the wall. This is an extremely complex issue. Ultimately, the only way we can bring any stability to this area is through negotiation. Those negotiations are ongoing. Presidents Abbas and Sharon will meet later this...

Middle East Peace Process. (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy has not put a question, but made a statement with which I cannot disagree. We can only work through international diplomacy on this issue. The quartet has actively condemned this and it would have much more influence in trying to get the Israelis to cease what they are doing, which is contrary to the tenets and principles laid down in the roadmap.

Middle East Peace Process. (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: It is probably incorrect to say that Cement Roadstone Holdings is involved in the construction of the separation barrier. It holds a minority shareholding of approximately 25% in the company involved, Nesher Cement. The Government has no power over such private companies. With regard to the Euro-Med Association agreement, Sinn Féin tried to get support from other parties at the Joint...

Middle East Peace Process. (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Is that to the general council of the European Union?

Middle East Peace Process. (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: That is something we could look at. We would, in the normal run, have to get consensus from the others.

Colombian Peace Process. (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The General Affairs and External Relations Council adopted conclusions on Colombia at its meeting this Monday, 3 October 2005. Ireland was actively involved in the negotiation of these conclusions, which principally address the recently enacted Colombian justice and peace law. That law provides an overall legal framework for demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration of illegal armed...

Colombian Peace Process. (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The issue of the Colombia three was not raised at EU level, at least not in my presence, during the discussion on the Colombian peace process last Monday. As I said earlier, it was raised during my meeting with the Colombian Foreign Minister, Ms Barco. During that meeting, I outlined the Government's position on the issue, which has been enunciated clearly by the Taoiseach, the Minister for...

Colombian Peace Process. (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Yes, they will. That requirement is an unfortunate consequence of what has happened.

EU Enlargement. (6 Oct 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The United Nations has the lead role in the search for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. The EU enlargement process provided the impetus for recent efforts to find a settlement, which were made by the UN Secretary General in the first half of 2004, during Ireland's EU Presidency. At that time, Ireland maintained close contact with the relevant various parties to encourage...