Results 16,121-16,140 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (13 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy is aware, the Government has been actively engaged on the issue of the Inquiries Bill since it was first published and has been in regular contact with the British authorities at both political and official levels. The Government has also stayed in close contact with the Finucane family. I raised the matter most recently with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at the...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (13 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: In ongoing discussions with the British Government through the framework of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference, the Government has consistently argued for the implementation of Patten recommendations 69 and 70 on finding an acceptable, effective and less potentially lethal alternative to plastic baton rounds. The Government will continue to support the search for alternative...

European Council: Statements. (13 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I will answer the Deputy's last question first. There was no discussion as to what will happen if there is a "No" vote. It is wrong to deal with such a hypothesis. It is up to each individual state in its own way, whether by referendum or other process of ratification, to decide that matter for themselves. There is no plan B. If there is a difficulty in that one state does not ratify the...

European Council: Statements. (13 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy does this country a great disservice.

European Council: Statements. (13 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy must be careful about what he says. This country is regarded by most people in Europe as having one of the cleanest environments in Europe. The Deputy does our society a disservice.

European Council: Statements. (13 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy also raised the issue of this country having the lowest social spend in the EU. One of the main reasons we have a low social spend compared with other countries is because we have the youngest population in the EU. The social spend in Italy is high because it has the oldest population in the EU. Ireland has the youngest population, hence we have the lowest social spend in the EU.

European Council: Statements. (13 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am delighted about the issue Deputy Quinn raised because the alternative Government being postulated in some quarters made up of Labour, Fine Gael and the Greens——

European Council: Statements. (13 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The corollary to what the Deputy is saying is that there must be dramatic increases in taxation. I would like to hear the proposals by the proposed alternative Government for increases in taxation to skew matters in the way Deputy Gormley wants.

European Council: Statements. (13 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I can give a simple answer to those questions. These are matters for the Whips to decide. I encourage the Deputy's party Whip to ask the Government Whip. Perhaps the Deputy is the Sinn Féin Whip.

European Council: Statements. (13 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: He could ask the Government Chief Whip about all these substantial issues which have been debated on an ongoing basis in this House. That is one of the reasons we are having this debate. On the matter of a Common Position on UN reform, the House should discuss this issue. My role in this regard is distinct from my ministerial role in that I am in effect the representative of Kofi Annan in...

European Council: Statements. (13 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I thank the Deputy for his questions. I also thank the Deputies who referred to my recent appointment, which is an honour for me and particularly for the country. It is a testimony to the ability of this small nation to punch above its weight on many occasions, something to which Kofi Annan alluded. I will liaise as much as I can with the House regarding the issue and we can return to it....

European Council: Statements. (13 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I assure the Deputy there will be dramatic changes. One must be careful when investing to ensure that one ultimately gets a return. Dramatic changes in the type of technology available can occur within a year or less. A plethora of platforms are available for any part of the country to bring in broadband, and no area should be unable to do so. Personally, I am most proud of the group...

European Council: Statements. (13 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I thank the Deputy for his remarks. There are five envoys, as an additional one was appointed, and our remit is to represent the Secretary General in capitals of the world. A huge amount of work will continue in the General Assembly, the President of which, Jean Ping, has appointed a number of facilitators and permanent representatives to deal with issues at UN-level on the ground in New...

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

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my previous answers to questions relating to discussion of human rights issues during the visit of a Government delegation to China in January. The question of Christians living in China was not specifically raised during the visit. However, the issue of human rights generally was raised both by the Taoiseach in his official discussions with Chinese leaders and by officials.

Written Answers — Departmental Websites: Departmental Websites (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The ambassador referred to on the Department's website as ambassador to Austria was the previous ambassador to that country. This change of personnel was, unfortunately, not incorporated on the website. The discrepancy has now been rectified and further checks are also being made to ensure that the data on the website on missions abroad are fully up to date.

Written Answers — Waste Disposal: Waste Disposal (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The tsunami which struck southern Asia on 26 December last, was also felt as far away as the coast of Somalia on the Horn of Africa. I have been deeply concerned by reports that the huge waves which reached Somalia are believed to have stirred up tonnes of nuclear and toxic waste illegally dumped in the war-racked country from the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s. Apart from killing about...

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Since the events of 29 December 2003, my Department has been endeavouring to establish the full circumstances of the ambush which led to Archbishop Michael Courtney's tragic death. My predecessor, the former Minister for Foreign Affairs 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...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: As the Deputy is aware, the period around St. Patrick's Day offers unparalleled opportunities to promote Ireland around the world, particularly in the United States. 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, in addition to meetings with Irish immigration...

Written Answers — Telephone Helplines: Telephone Helplines (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I assure the Deputy that I am committed to providing a quality passport service to the public which includes having telephone inquiries dealt with quickly by friendly, experienced and helpful staff. The Passport Office has 19 staff in its customer care and telephone helpline sections. The office has 15 external lines which are manned between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. A 24-hour recorded...

Written Answers — Biometric Passports: Biometric Passports (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 444 to 446, inclusive, together. Following the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, the United States enacted legislation which includes a requirement that citizens of countries that participate in the visa waiver programme, including Ireland, must present a passport that incorporates biometric identifiers as a condition of entering the United States under...