Results 16,021-16,040 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (10 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The issue of appointing a new honorary consul is at present under active consideration and it is hoped to approve a nominee for the position very shortly. However, before an appointment can be confirmed, the agreement of the Ecuadorian authorities must also be obtained. Pending finalisation of the appointment, Irish citizens in Ecuador may seek consular assistance from the embassy of any...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed). (10 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Deputy Sargent did not object to roads development in Balbriggan.

Written Answers — Common Foreign and Security Policy: Common Foreign and Security Policy (5 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland, and the EU as a whole, have a number of long-standing concerns in relation to Iran. These include concerns about aspects of Iran's nuclear programme, human rights issues, Iran's responsibilities in the fight against terrorism, and Iran's attitude to the Middle East peace process. These concerns were reiterated most recently by the European Council in December 2004. In seeking to...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (5 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to the reply to Questions Nos. 7, 24, 29, 67 and 74 of 28 April 2005, a copy of which is set out below: 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...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (5 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The disappearance of Mr. Victor Gonchar, formerly deputy speaker of the Belarus Parliament, is one of a group of four disappearances dating back to 1999-2000 which have never been satisfactorily investigated by the Belarus authorities despite sustained international pressure. In my reply to an oral question about the political situation in Belarus on 28 April, I mentioned that the latest...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (5 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Mr. Sylvestre Mfayokurera, a member of the then Burundian Parliament, was assassinated in August 1994 while Mr. Innocent Ndikumana, also a member of Parliament, was attacked and killed by a group of Tutsi militia on 16 December 1995. Both men had been elected to parliament as members of the Hutu FRODEBU party in 1993. To date, no persons have been charged or convicted in connection with...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (5 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Mr. Norbert Ndihokubwayo, currently assistant secretary general of the Hutu FRODEBU parliamentary group in the Burundian transitional national assembly, was the subject of two unsuccessful assassination attempts in September 1994 and December 1995. He was a member of the Burundian parliament at that time. Following these events, Mr. Ndihokubwayo fled into exile, though he returned to Burundi...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (5 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware that the governing council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, adopted a resolution on 8 April 2005 concerning the dismissal of Mr. Chang Song, Mr. Siphan Phay and Mr. Savath Phou from the Cambodian Senate in 2001. I understand that their dismissal from Parliament followed on their expulsion from the Cambodian People's Party. In this regard, Ireland and its EU partners continue...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (5 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 211 to 213, inclusive, together. Ireland monitors the human rights situation in Colombia along with its partners in the European Union. The General Affairs and External Relations Council at its meeting on 13 December 2004 reiterated the EU's concern over the grave human rights and international humanitarian law situation in Colombia. In regard to the cases...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (5 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: There are no directives awaiting implementation in the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Written Answers — Vetting Procedures: Vetting Procedures (5 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The advisory board for Development Co-operation Ireland was established in 2002 to provide general oversight and advice to the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the strategic direction of the Government's programme of assistance to developing countries. All members serve in a voluntary capacity for a term of three years. They are appointed on the basis of their individual expertise and ability...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (5 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government has on a number of occasions made known its concerns to the US Government regarding the treatment and status of the detainees held at Guantanamo Bay. It shares the view of the European Parliament that these detainees should be treated in accordance with the requirements of international human rights and humanitarian law. The Government also, of course, recognises the danger...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (5 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government is committed to supporting front-line organisations which provide advice, counselling and support services to Irish people in need in Britain, including of course members of the Traveller community. The Government funds such agencies in Britain through the Díon fund. More than €22 million has been distributed since it was established in 1984. Officials of the Irish Embassy...

Written Answers — Colombia Three: Colombia Three (4 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: My Department has provided all appropriate consular assistance to the three men in this case, as well as to their families and representatives. The particular judgment, to which the Deputy refers, acquitted the three men on the more serious charge of providing training for terrorists and convicted them on the lesser charge of travelling on false documents. The latter part of this judgment was...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (4 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government has, on a number of occasions, made known its concerns to the US Government regarding the treatment and status of the detainees held at Guantanamo Bay. It shares the view of the European Parliament that these detainees should be treated in accordance with the requirements of international human rights and humanitarian law. The Government also recognises the danger posed by...

Written Answers — Emigrant Services: Emigrant Services (4 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The task force on policy regarding emigrants produced a very good report with wide-ranging conclusions, covering the full range of emigrant needs. Its recommendations were far-reaching and varied and the implementation of some of these will be, by necessity, on a phased basis over a number of years. Considerable progress has already been made, with action under way on over two thirds of its...

Written Answers — Visa Applications: Visa Applications (4 May 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The visa application referred to by the Deputy, reference No. 1022430, was made in Riga on 21 March 2005 and forwarded to the Department of Foreign Affairs visa office in Dublin on 23 March 2005. Visas of this kind are not covered by the Department of Foreign Affairs' delegated sanction to issue visas and the application was, therefore, referred to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (28 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Croatia applied for membership of the European Union in 2003 and the Commission presented its formal opinion on the application in April 2004. The June 2004 European Council agreed that Croatia fulfils the Copenhagen political criteria and the specific conditions established for the countries of the western Balkans. It decided that Croatia is a candidate country for membership and that...

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

Dermot Ahern: The European constitution provides for the creation of a European external action service, EEAS, to assist the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs in the fulfilment of his or her mandate. The EEAS cannot be established until after the entry into force of the European constitution, the target date for which is 1 November 2006. Preparatory discussions on its establishment are at an early stage....

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 58 together. The political crisis in Ecuador in recent days follows the decisions of President Gutiérrez to declare a state of emergency in the capital Quito on 15 April 2005 and to dissolve the Supreme Court for the second time in four months. The demonstrations which followed these actions have led to a number of deaths and the decision of the...