Results 16,141-16,160 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: This case continues to be closely monitored by my Department through the Irish Embassy in London. The embassy in London remains in contact with both the person himself and his solicitor. As I indicated in my previous reply to the Deputy, I understand his solicitor is still seeking appropriate grounds on which either to lodge an appeal against conviction or to seek to have the case reopened. I...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Passport Office in Cork is the only section of the Department based outside Dublin, city and county. Under the Government's decentralisation programme, the development co-operation directorate of the Department, currently based in Dublin, is scheduled to decentralise to Limerick. This will involve the relocation to Limerick of some 130 posts and is scheduled to take place during the first...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I can confirm that officials from the Department have raised the case with the British authorities. The British side has responded that the case will be included in the assessment of cases by the review unit which was set up by the Chief Constable recently specifically for that purpose. The review unit's initial assessment will determine if there is sufficient material to proceed to a full...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 452 and 453 together. For the period in question, the Government's development co-operation programme, Development Co-operation Ireland, provided funding for two projects that provide services primarily for men, and boys. Details of these projects are included in Annex A. As part of its overall commitment to poverty reduction and sustainable development,...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The brutal murder of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri on 14 February has been the catalyst for significant ongoing developments in Lebanese politics. The massive public response has been remarkable. I welcome the fact that protests have been peaceful and that restraint has prevailed on all sides. It is to be hoped that this will continue to be the case, and we call on all Lebanese political...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (12 Apr 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government is in regular and ongoing contact with the Palestinian Authority through diplomatic channels. The Taoiseach telephoned President Mahmoud Abbas to congratulate him on his success in the elections. In the course of this call, he assured President Abbas of Ireland's continuing support for efforts to bring an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I have also written to my own...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (12 Apr 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. Regulation No. 1 of 1958 governs the Union's language regime. The unanimous approval of member states is required to amend this regulation. Contacts have been ongoing with...

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

Dermot Ahern: None of the boards under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs is a statutory body. Of the non-statutory boards under the aegis of my Department, no fees are paid to chairpersons of the advisory board for Development Co-operation Ireland, the Development Education Advisory Committee or the board of the Ireland-United States Commission for Educational Exchange, the Fulbright...

Written Answers — Departmental Correspondence: Departmental Correspondence (24 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Irish Embassy in Rome has been in direct contact with the person to whom the Deputy refers, has received the necessary details from him and is arranging with the Italian authorities for a copy of the certificate to be issued. The embassy will remain in direct contact with the person concerned until this issue has been resolved.

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (24 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Following the recent death of our honorary consul general in Quito, Mr. Richard Lacy, the issue of appointing a new honorary consul is under consideration. It is hoped to approve a nominee for the position 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...

Written Answers — Television Broadcast Infrastructure: Television Broadcast Infrastructure (24 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of reports that Eutelsat, a satellite operator headquartered in Paris, has decided not to renew the broadcasting contract of New Tang Dynasty television, which broadcasts to Europe and China. The Government fully supports the right to freedom of expression and to an open media. Given, inter alia, that this is a decision taken by a private company, I do not feel that it would be...

Human Rights Issues: Motion. (24 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I move: That Dáil Éireann, —notes with concern the case of Mr. Roy Bennett, the Movement for Democratic Change, MDC, Opposition Member of Parliament, who was sentenced by the Zimbabwean Parliament in October 2004 to 12 months imprisonment with labour, and in particular notes the apparently arbitrary procedures employed in Mr. Bennett's trial and conviction by a committee of the Zimbabwean...

Human Rights Issues: Motion. (24 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am pleased to move this motion regarding the case of Mr. Roy Bennett, the Movement for Democratic Change, MDC, Member of Parliament in the Zimbabwean Parliament. It is important that Dáil Éireann should have the opportunity to discuss and convey its concerns regarding this serious ill-treatment of a fellow parliamentarian in a country with which Ireland has strong links. Both the German...

Order of Business. (24 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Exactly.

Order of Business. (24 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Will Deputy Costello sit down?

Order of Business. (24 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Suigh síos.

Written Answers — Illegal Immigrants: Illegal Immigrants (23 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 188 together. The circumstances of undocumented Irish people in the United States are raised on an on-going basis in our bilateral contacts with US political leaders. Most recently, the issue was raised when the Taoiseach and I met President Bush on St. Patrick's Day. During our meeting, the President re-affirmed his commitment to work with Congress on...

Written Answers — Prisoner Transfers: Prisoner Transfers (22 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 152 of 2 February 2005 and Question No. 94 of 8 March 2005 regarding this matter. 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 would not seek to use Irish airports for prisoner transit without seeking the authorisation of the Irish...

Written Answers — Human Rights Abuses: Human Rights Abuses (22 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Ethnic Hungarians form the largest minority community in Vojvodina, which is an autonomous province of Serbia. It is estimated that some 15% of the total population of 2 million is of ethnic Hungarian background. Vojvodina is an ethnically mixed province, which historically has had a Serb majority. In recent years, however, the size of the ethnic Serb population has increased due to the...

Written Answers — Departmental Transport: Departmental Transport (22 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 216 and 224 together. The Department of Foreign Affairs is responsible for two Votes: Vote 28, foreign affairs, and Vote 29, international co-operation. Under Vote 28, in 2004, the Department of Foreign Affairs paid mileage expenses of €266,892.11 in respect of claims for 256,120 miles and €115,624.26 to cover rail and bus ticket expenses. For the same...