Results 15,961-15,980 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Task Force on Emigrants: Task Force on Emigrants (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The task force on policy regarding emigrants produced an excellent report which provides us with a very valuable framework for action. Its varied and wide-ranging recommendations are best implemented on a phased basis. Many of the recommendations relate to issues of continuing importance which require on-going action from all partners, in Government and the voluntary sector, at home and...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which is the most universal of all of the multilateral instruments in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation, came into force in 1970. The treaty has been reviewed at five-year intervals to assess progress under its three pillars of disarmament, non-proliferation, and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The seventh NPT review...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: There has been no expenditure relating to commissions, inquiries and tribunals by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Written Answers — United Nations Reform: United Nations Reform (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 161, 162 and 168 together. It is generally agreed that the 60-year old structure of the United Nations Security Council, which derives from the immediate post-war situation, is not in accord with today's realities. There are, however, sharply divergent views on how the structure should be reformed. The high level panel on threats, challenges and change that...

Written Answers — Undocumented Irish Emigrants: Undocumented Irish Emigrants (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Since the tragic events of 11 September 2001, immigration has become a highly sensitive and divisive issue in the United States. There is, in particular, a widespread and strongly held view in Congress that an amnesty for the undocumented should not be on the agenda. Members who have visited Washington in recent times will have come away with this clear message. However, there have been...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: A rebellion against the monarchy in Nepal, led by the extreme left wing Maoist Communist Party has been ongoing since 1996. The insurgency has, to date, claimed approximately 10,000 lives. The rebels are fighting to abolish the constitutional monarchy and establish a socialist state in the Himalayan kingdom. It is estimated that more than 40% of the country is now under the control of the...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Since the events of 29 December 2003, my Department has been endeavouring to establish the full circumstances of the ambush that led to Archbishop Michael Courtney's tragic death. My predecessor, Deputy Cowen, discussed this issue on a number of occasions with both the President and Foreign Minister of Burundi, most recently on 21 September 2004, when he met the President in New York at the...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government is concerned about the ongoing attacks against the homes of residents in the Sommerdale Park, Ligoniel Road and Ballysillan areas of north Belfast. These attacks have been of a highly intimidating nature, with paint and petrol bombs thrown at cars, houses attacked and damaged, windows broken and ordinary families terrorised in their own homes. The Government raised its concerns...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (2 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: A small number of officers from other Departments have already joined the Department of Foreign Affairs with a view to decentralising to Limerick and the rate of intake will gradually increase over the next few weeks and months until all the necessary new staff are in place. It is planned to relocate the directorate in a single move during the first quarter of 2007.

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (1 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Department of Foreign Affairs processes visa applications at its overseas missions in accordance with guidelines issued by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. In the case of certain categories of visas, the Department of Foreign Affairs has delegated sanction to issue visas without reference to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Where a visa application...

Written Answers — Fairtrade Products: Fairtrade Products (1 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 and 171 together. Like all Departments, the Department of Foreign Affairs uses the Department of Finance public procurement guidelines for all significant purchases. As the purchase of food and beverage products generally falls below EU threshold values, the criteria for low value requirements contained in the guidelines are applied. The Fairtrade Mark is...

Written Answers — Departmental Publications: Departmental Publications (1 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: There are currently seven reports scheduled to be published shortly by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The annual report on developments in the European Union in 2004, which is drafted under the terms of the EU (Scrutiny) Act 2002 is expected to be published within the coming weeks. The report will cost approximately €12,000. The Department's strategy statement 2005 to 2007 is due to be...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (1 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Basque country has extensive autonomous rights in areas including taxation, education, health and policing, in accordance with Spain's 1978 constitution, which provides for the devolution of power to the 17 autonomous communities or regions. In December 2004, the Basque regional parliament approved a plan proposed by the Basque Prime Minister, Juan Jose Ibarretxe, to replace the existing...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (1 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of the arrest, and subsequent release on bail, of the Batasuna spokesman Arnaldo Otegi. Mr. Otegi has been charged with membership of ETA, which, as the Deputy will be aware, has been included on the EU list of terrorist organisations since 27 December 2001. By a unanimous decision of the EU member states, Batasuna was added to this list on 4 June 2003. In taking this decision, the...

Written Answers — UN Special Envoys: UN Special Envoys (1 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Deputies will be aware that preparations are well advanced for the summit that will take place at the United Nations next September, at which Heads of State and Government will seek to restore momentum to the achievement of the millennium development goals, agree on reforms that will strengthen the system of collective security based on the United Nations, enhance the human rights function of...

Written Answers — Nuclear Disarmament Initiative: Nuclear Disarmament Initiative (1 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 253 of 31 May. Negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme between Iran and France, Germany and the UK, supported by the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, resulted in an agreement signed in Paris in November 2004 on nuclear issues and future co-operation. Under this agreement, which was endorsed by...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (1 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy is referring to an application lodged with the European Court of Human Rights, which a chamber of the court declared admissible in a decision dated 6 April 2005. My Department is aware of this case. It should be noted, however, that the court's decision on admissibility was made without prejudice to the merits of the case. These will be examined by the court and a determination...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (1 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: From time to time, the US Department of State designates specific countries as being "of particular concern" within the meaning of the United States' International Religious Freedom Act 1998. This Act requires the State Department to submit an annual report to congress describing the status of religious freedom throughout the world. The designation process, under which countries of concern...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (1 Jun 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government has been following closely the ongoing developments in the peace process in Colombia. Ireland, along with its European Union partners, supports the Colombian Government in its search for a negotiated solution to the conflict. The most recent statement of Irish and European Union policy in this regard is set out in the conclusions of the General Affairs and External Relations...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (31 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Under the Government's decentralisation programme, announced in December 2003, 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 of 123 posts and is scheduled to take place during the first quarter of 2007. Details of applications received for the posts in...