Results 16,081-16,100 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Arms Trade: Arms Trade (28 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85, 96 and 101 together. I refer the Deputies to the reply given to the priority question on this matter today. The Government's position on the lifting of the EU arms embargo on arms sales to China is clear. We support the lifting of the embargo but we do not wish to see any increase in the quantity or quality of arms exports to China. The arms embargo was...

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

Dermot Ahern: In December 2004, the Government approved the opening of resident missions in Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Romania and Vietnam. It is intended that these new missions will be opened in the second half of this year. The opening of new Irish missions is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis. As the Deputy will appreciate, however, constraints on Government expenditure and the...

Written Answers — EU Drugs Strategy: EU Drugs Strategy (28 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The European drugs strategy for the period 2005 to 2012 was adopted by the European Council in December 2004. It is an integral element of The Hague programme for an area of freedom, justice and security and was adopted as part of the programme at the Council. Each EU member state tackles its drug problem through a national drug strategy. However, the drug problem in the European Union is...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (28 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government has been active in making known to the Zimbabwean authorities its serious concerns regarding the imprisonment and treatment of the former MDC, Movement for Democratic Change, member of the Zimbabwean Parliament, Mr. Roy Bennett. The Irish ambassador to South Africa, who is also accredited to Zimbabwe, conveyed the Government's very serious concerns at a meeting with the acting...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (28 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I travelled to the United States from 11 to 18 March to represent the Government at St. Patrick's Day events in Boston before accompanying the Taoiseach to Washington. In Boston, I attended a number of promotional events hosted by Irish and Irish-American organisations and State agencies. In addition, I addressed the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government and European Studies Centre...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 93, 143, 144 and 145 together. The Government has participated actively and positively in negotiations on the enlargement process and will continue to do so. Ireland will maintain its constructive support of the enlargement process on the basis that the European Union should continue to be open to all European states which respect its fundamental values....

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (28 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: At the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 13 December, I outlined to my colleagues Ireland's proposal that official and working status in the EU be accorded to the Irish language. Since then, we have been working to move discussions to a successful conclusion. The EU's language regime is governed by Regulation 1 of 1958. The unanimous approval of member states is required to...

Written Answers — Lisbon Agenda: Lisbon Agenda (28 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 102 together. As the Deputies will be aware, the Taoiseach and I reported to the Dáil on 13 April 2005 on the outcome of the spring European Council held on 22-23 March 2005, at which the mid-term review of the Lisbon Agenda was the main item on the agenda. The European Council committed itself to re-launching the Lisbon Agenda as a "partnership for...

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

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of the advice of the UNHCR on the return of Iraqi asylum seekers. As the Deputy knows, asylum applications in Ireland are assessed within an independent statutory framework. The advice of the UNHCR on returns forms an important part of the assessment of cases. In the circumstances, I have not felt it necessary to discuss this matter with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law...

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

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my response to the Priority Question on the same matter, given today.

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

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy is aware, the British Government has proposed establishing an inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane under the new Inquiries Act. Since the Inquiries Bill was first published, the Government has had concerns that the legislation would not allow an inquiry established under it to meet the necessary standards of independence and openness, in line with the commitment made by the...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (28 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of the Luton Irish Forum and the valuable work it does in providing advice, information and support services to Irish people in the Luton area. Officials of the embassy in London and the Irish abroad unit met with the management of Luton Irish Forum in January this year and an official of the embassy attended its St. Patrick's Day festivities. I know that the Luton Irish Forum has...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (28 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: As has been made clear on previous occasions, it is not the policy of the Government to draw up any kind of league table of countries deemed guilty of the worst human rights abuses. Together with our EU partners, the Government monitors the human rights situations in many countries throughout the world, on the basis of information obtained from a variety of sources, including non-governmental...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 to 148, inclusive, together. Since the inauguration of President Yuschenko on 23 January at which the Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, represented Ireland, I have ensured that Ireland took a consistent position of strong support for Ukraine in discussions in the relevant Council bodies. The EU had played a positive role during the unfolding of the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (27 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 152, 94 and 214 of 2 February 2005, 8 March 2005 and 22 March 2005, respectively, regarding the alleged illegal use of Shannon Airport for the transit of US prisoners. This matter has been raised in discussions with the US authorities. They have confirmed that they do not use Irish airports for this purpose and that they will not...

Written Answers — Media Censorship: Media Censorship (27 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of reports that Eutelsat, a satellite operator headquartered in Paris, had decided not to renew the broadcasting contract of New Tang Dynasty television, which broadcasts to Europe and China. I understand, however, that legal negotiations are currently ongoing between the two parties on the matter and that the New Tang Dynasty television continues to broadcast while these...

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (27 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The European Union police mission in Kinshasa, known as EUPOL Kinshasa, was established by the External Relations Council in December 2004. The mission is due to be formally launched in Kinshasa later this week at a ceremony to be attended by the Secretary General high representative, Javier Solana, and the EU's special representative to the Great Lakes region, Aldo Ajello. The EU has already...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (27 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I have already outlined in a statement issued on 1 April 2005 the serious concerns of the Government regarding the conduct of the parliamentary elections in Zimbabwe on 31 March 2005. The high percentage of voters turned away because their names did not appear on the electoral register, which is estimated at between 10% and15%, as well as the apparent use of postal votes in a concerted manner...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (27 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: A total of 139 states have signed the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. To date, 98 states have become parties to the statute. Together with our partners in the European Union, Ireland has been a consistent and strong supporter of the ICC, recognising it as an essential means of combating impunity for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community. This...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (27 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction, often referred to as the biological and toxin weapons convention, BTWC, was opened for signature on 10 April 1972 and entered into force on 26 March 1975. Ireland is a state party to the convention. Ireland has legislation currently in...