Results 16,181-16,200 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Leaders' Questions. (9 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Hear, hear.

Written Answers — Partnership for Peace: Partnership for Peace (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 122 together. A major challenge for the EU is to ensure that it is able to respond rapidly and flexibly to crises overseas. In this context, the Union is taking forward the development of both civilian and military capabilities. On the military side, the battle groups-rapid response elements concept has been under development in the European Union for...

Written Answers — EU Constitution: EU Constitution (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 81, 108, 130, 133, 134, 160 and 163 together. I refer the Deputies to my reply to Question No. 58, in which I set out the Government's approach to the referendum on the European constitution. I had an opportunity to congratulate my Spanish colleague in Brussels the day after the Spanish referendum. The successful result, which saw a 77% vote in favour of...

Written Answers — Nuclear Weapons Programme: Nuclear Weapons Programme (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 79 together. Ireland and its EU partners share the widespread international concern about Iran's development of its nuclear programme, in particular its uranium enrichment component. It has been more than two years since Iran's undeclared nuclear programme was first brought to the attention of the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, and the...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Turkey has been a candidate for membership of the EU since the Helsinki European Council in December 1999, which agreed that it was destined to join the Union on the basis of the same criteria applied to the other candidate states. The European Council in Brussels on 16-17 December 2004 decided, on the basis of the Commission's report and recommendation, that Turkey sufficiently fulfils the...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72, 83 and 257 together. The political situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to be characterised by slow progress towards completion of the transition process. Ireland and the European Union are maintaining their strong engagement in support of the peace process in the DRC. Recent events, however, such as the ambush on a UN MONUC patrol...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I take it the Deputy is referring to the Luton Irish Forum, which is currently in discussions with the local council about its accommodation. We wish to be helpful in every possible way to the forum in its important work in providing advice, information and support services to Irish people. The Government, for instance, through the DION fund, is helping support the forum's key advice worker...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The practice relating to appointments to the DION committee, since it was established in 1984 by the then Minister for Labour, is that the Minister responsible appoints people to it who have a proven track record of working within the Irish community, as well as a keen awareness of the particular issues facing, and of concern to, our community in Britain. The present membership of the...

Written Answers — EU Constitution: EU Constitution (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Article I-41(2) of the European constitution provides for the possibility of a common EU defence policy, should the European Council acting unanimously so decide. The article, which is carried over from previous treaties, also provides that the specific character of the security and defence policy of member states shall not be prejudiced. Under the terms of Bunreacht na hÉireann, Ireland may...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland announced the establishment of diplomatic relations on a non-resident basis with Burma on 13 February 2004. However, given that the progress which had been anticipated in 2004, most notably the meeting of an open and unhindered national convention and the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, did not materialise, the Government has decided to put on hold the exchange of ambassadors. Any...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: At the EU-US summit in Brussels on 22 February, the Taoiseach spoke about the relationship between the European Union and Russia. He had been invited to do so by the Luxembourg Presidency. The opportunity to share EU perspectives with President Bush ahead of his summit meeting with President Putin in Bratislava on 24 February was a valuable one. Other heads of state and government addressed...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: On 24 November last, the Government tabled a formal proposal in Brussels requesting that official and working status in the EU be accorded to the Irish language. On 13 December, I outlined to my counterparts at the General Affairs and External Relations Council the reasons for Ireland's request. In summary, the Government has proposed, in the context of official and working status being...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The case the Deputy refers to relates to five Cuban citizens who were convicted in the US in 2001 on charges ranging from espionage to conspiracy to murder, and whose appeal was heard in March 2004. The court's decision is awaited.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Argentina has ratified the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and it has constitutional status in that country. On 10 December 2004, the Committee Against Torture published its conclusions and recommendations on Argentina's fourth periodic report under the convention. It welcomed, inter alia, the efforts made by Argentina to combat...

Written Answers — Military Neutrality: Military Neutrality (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The use of Shannon airport for transiting purposes by the US military is a long standing practice which has been ongoing for several decades. The Government's decision to allow US military personnel to continue to transit through Shannon Airport was endorsed by Dáil Éireann on 20 March 2003.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: In recent years, there have been significant advances in international thinking and action on indigenous issues and rights. The first International Decade of the World's Indigenous People took place from 1 January 1995 to 31 December 2004. The decade led to several positive developments, such as the establishment of a permanent forum on indigenous issues, and the appointment, in 2001, of a...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: While Liberia has made remarkable progress since the comprehensive peace agreement of August 2003, it still faces the major challenges of a successful return to democracy and sustaining the peace process. Liberia is currently administered by a transitional government, under the chairmanship of Mr. Gyude Bryant, until parliamentary and presidential elections are held before the end of 2005....

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 97 together. The security situation in Iraq has continued to be a source of great concern. Violent attacks in Iraq increased in intensity in the lead-up to the elections on 30 January, and have continued since. In this regard, there seems to have been a change in focus, with attacks now directed more at Iraqi officials, security forces and ordinary...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 152 of 2 February 2005, and to previous replies given on this matter. The matter has been raised again in recent days in discussions with the US authorities. They have again 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...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 95, 107, 119 and 256 together. The parliamentary elections scheduled to take place in Zimbabwe on 31 March will represent an important test in determining the willingness of the Zimbabwean Government to effect genuine political reforms and improve the situation in that country as regards democracy, good governance and respect for human rights. Ireland and our...