Results 15,981-16,000 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

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

Dermot Ahern: As I indicated to the Deputy in reply to a previous question, the passport office is currently implementing a new system for processing passport applications. This includes a new, more secure passport booklet. As part of the overall project, specialised production equipment has been purchased for this purpose at a cost of approximately €8 million. The cost of maintenance of the production...

Written Answers — Nuclear Disarmament Initiative: Nuclear Disarmament Initiative (31 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: 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 the European Council last December, Iran, inter alia, reaffirmed that it does...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (31 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The following bilateral agreements concluded between the State and the United Kingdom have entered into force since September 1999: — agreement between the two Governments — British/Irish Agreement — Belfast, 10 April 1998, entered into force on 2 December 1999; — agreement establishing a British-Irish Council, Dublin, 8 March 1999, entered into force on 2 December 1999; — agreement...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (31 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Following entry into force of a treaty with respect to the State it has long been the practice of my Department to arrange simultaneously for its registration with the Secretary General of the United Nations, pursuant to Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations and for its publication in the Irish treaty series. I am not aware of any bilateral agreement concluded with the United...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (31 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: On 19 May, I launched the plans for the future development of the Battle of the Boyne site at Oldbridge. This next phase of development will transform the site into a welcoming and significant visitor experience which will encourage and facilitate an understanding of the battle and an appreciation for the environment in which it took place. As invoices are still outstanding, the full costs of...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (26 May 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 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 — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (26 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The following is the breakdown of applications received in the passport offices in Dublin — Molesworth Street and Balbriggan — and Cork in 2005 to the end of April: passport express — 128,080; regular post — 17,198; counter applications — 39,540; total — 184,818. The figures represent an increase of 8.86% over the corresponding period in 2004. The passport office is implementing a...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (26 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: A total of 184,818 passports were issued by the passport offices in Dublin, Balbriggan and Cork to the end of April 2005, the last month for which I have full monthly records. The revenue received amounted to €8,346,503.

Order of Business. (26 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Does that mean Deputy Costello will sit on the fence?

Order of Business. (26 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Is Deputy Ring still a member of Fine Gael?

Written Answers — Arms Trade: Arms Trade (25 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I support the principle of having legally binding international agreements on the control of arms exports, with as wide a participation as possible. This is particularly important with respect to small arms and light weapons which are responsible for widespread death and injury. Ireland is committed to working with others to ensure that the international community deals with the illicit...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (25 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The United Nations has the lead role in the search for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. However, the EU enlargement process provided the impetus for the most recent efforts towards a settlement, which were undertaken by the UN Secretary General in the first half of 2004, during Ireland's EU Presidency. As a result of the referendums in Cyprus on 24 April 2004, the accession...

Written Answers — Nuclear Disarmament Initiative: Nuclear Disarmament Initiative (25 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK, announced in February 2005 that it has produced and now possesses nuclear weapons and that it is to suspend its participation in the six party talks for an indefinite period. In May 2005, the DPRK further announced that it has finished extracting 8,000 fuel rods from its reactor at Yongbyon, which it had reportedly shut down a month ago. Given...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (24 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: On 13 December last, I outlined to my counterparts at the General Affairs and External Relations Council the reasons for Ireland's proposal that official and working status in the EU be accorded to the Irish language. This followed the formal tabling of our proposal in Brussels on 24 November. Regulation 1 of 1958 governs the Union's language regime. The unanimous approval of member states is...

Written Answers — Emigrant Services: Emigrant Services (24 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Frontline organisations in Britain that provide critical services to our community there, including Irish centres, are financially supported by the Government through the DÍON fund. Since it was established in 1984, more than €22 million has been distributed from this fund. In 2004, DÍON grants totalled €4.3 million. This represented a 68% increase on the 2003 figure. This year,...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (18 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government, bilaterally and within the framework of the EU and UN, is continuing its efforts to encourage progress in the Middle East peace process, leading to two states, Israel and Palestine, living at peace within secure and recognised borders. We are ready, in concert with our EU partners, to assist the parties to the conflict in their efforts to move forward on the basis of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Charges: Departmental Charges (17 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Diplomatic and Consular Fees (Amendment) Regulations, 2004, SI 82 of 2004, lists the passport and consular fees charged by the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ireland and at our diplomatic and consular missions abroad. These fees include charges for passports, visas, work and working holiday authorisations, letters of freedom for Irish citizens wishing to marry abroad as well as for...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (17 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government has consistently condemned the lack of progress towards democracy in Burma and the continuing abuse of human rights and fundamental freedoms in that country. Together with our EU partners, we remain gravely concerned about the continuing house arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, other opposition activists and a number of MPs elected in 1990. Regarding the outcome of the National...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (17 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 and 186 together. My Department has disposed of only one asset, a property, in the period of time specified. The ambassador's official residence in Lagos, Nigeria, was sold in February 2002 for the equivalent of €1,446,315. The buyer was a Mr. Tein George of the company Dominion Capital Trust Limited. The proceeds of the sale were transferred to the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (12 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government is aware of the particular human rights issues affecting the indigenous peoples in Colombia. 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 Council of 13 December 2004 which stressed the importance of protecting the rights of minorities and indigenous peoples, as reaffirmed...