Results 15,801-15,820 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Diplomatic Immunity: Diplomatic Immunity (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: All diplomatic agents of embassies in Ireland, including their spouses and families, are granted diplomatic immunity in accordance with the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act 1967. This Act incorporates the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961, into Irish law. The convention also provides for this immunity to be waived by the sending State at any time. Currently there are 54...

Written Answers — Murder Inquiry: Murder Inquiry (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 609 and 621 together. I am aware of the case to which the Deputies have referred. First, may I say that I, and all who have been involved in this case on behalf of the Government, have the greatest sympathy for the family concerned. My Department, through its consular division, the Irish Embassy in Madrid and the honorary consulate in Alicante, has been...

Written Answers — Foreign Elections: Foreign Elections (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Ethiopia's third general election was held on 15 May 2005. International observers were present, including an EU Election Observation Mission, EOM, with Irish participation, including of course the Deputy himself. Polling day itself passed off peacefully. The turnout of Ethiopia's 26 million registered voters was estimated at approximately 90%. The organisation and execution of the ballot...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The British Government has announced its intention, in the context of an enabling security environment, of proceeding with an accelerated programme of normalisation measures in the period between now and August 2007. The first phase of this programme is currently underway and involves the deconstruction of observation posts in south Armagh and their return to green-field status. At the...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Good Friday Agreement provided for the creation of a statutory duty on public authorities in Northern Ireland to carry out all their functions with due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity in relation to religion and political opinion; gender; race; disability; age; marital status; dependants and sexual orientation. This statutory duty was legislated for in section 75 of...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The promotion of equality is at the heart of the Good Friday Agreement. This was collectively affirmed by the parties in the commitment within the agreement to "the mutual respect, the civil rights and the religious liberties of everyone in the community". This included, in particular "the right to equal opportunity in all social and economic activity, regardless of class, creed, disability,...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of the situation to which the Deputy refers. It arises from the overall restrictions on movement which the Israeli security forces have applied in the occupied Palestinian territories and east Jerusalem. The Government shares the widespread concern about the effects of these restrictions, and in common with our EU partners, we continue to urge the Israeli authorities to address the...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of Amnesty International reports that make reference to media and other reports alleging that Shannon Airport has been used by the US to transit prisoners who are suspected of terrorist activity. The Amnesty International reports themselves make no specific allegations about Shannon Airport. Similarly, I am aware of a media report that Martin Scheinin, the UN Commission on Human...

Written Answers — Foreign Court Proceedings: Foreign Court Proceedings (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am very aware of the case that the Deputy has mentioned. The person mentioned by the Deputy was arrested on the morning of 12 August in Kitale, Kenya in connection with a public land rights protest against the alleged grabbing of a public park by private investors. He was held in custody until 15 August when he was released on bail. The Department of Foreign Affairs was notified of this...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ICCPR, and Optional Protocol to the ICCPR with effect from 8 March 1990, thereby allowing communications to the Human Rights Committee from individuals claiming to be the victim of violations of the covenant. Since that time, a total of five complaints have been brought against Ireland under the covenant: 1....

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Work on the compilation of Ireland's third periodic report to the UN Human Rights Committee under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights is ongoing as a matter of urgency and should be completed within the coming months. Given the breadth of the covenant, a large number of Departments are involved in the preparatory process. In addition, there will be consultation with civil...

Written Answers — Extradition Treaties: Extradition Treaties (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I had no discussions on this matter with my Colombian counterpart, Ms Carolina Barco, during the period in question.

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Passport Office does not issue reminder letters to passport holders to renew their passports. To do so would involve additional expenditure in terms of staff resources and postage in the region of €300,000 per annum. The potential response to such a campaign would also be reduced by virtue of passport holders having moved address and changed family circumstances in the intervening...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The privileges and immunities enjoyed by foreign diplomats and embassies are set out in the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act 1967 as amended by the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act 1976. These Acts incorporate the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations into Irish law.

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: All diplomatic agents of embassies in Ireland, including their spouses and families, are granted diplomatic immunity in accordance with the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act 1967, as amended by the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act 1976. These Acts incorporate the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961 and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963 into Irish law....

Northern Ireland: Statements. (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: An abomination.

Northern Ireland: Statements. (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am prepared to share time with Deputy O'Donnell if that is acceptable.

Northern Ireland: Statements. (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The confirmation this week by the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning that the IRA has put all its weapons beyond use has been acknowledged in this House as a momentous development, which it is. We have always said that decommissioning had to be complete and credible. On Monday we got that unambiguous statement from General de Chastelain when he said that "the totality of...

Northern Ireland: Statements. (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I ask Members to give me some more time.

Northern Ireland: Statements. (28 Sep 2005)

Dermot Ahern: We are elected to exercise responsibility on behalf of the communities we serve and we are directly accountable for the decisions we take. Our democratic institutions have been challenged by those who pursued their political objectives through violence and the gun. They have faced down that challenge and emerged stronger. We are right to take pride in this. Our main objective is the...