Results 16,201-16,220 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I have issued a statement condemning in the strongest terms the bomb attack in Tel Aviv last weekend, in which five people were killed. I also expressed my sympathies to those injured in the blast and to the families of those who died or were injured. Such violence is particularly distressing at a time when the peace process is beginning to give rise to renewed hope for the people of the...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 98, 112, 139, 142 and 266 together. The political, human rights and humanitarian situation in the Darfur region of Sudan remains a matter of the deepest concern for Ireland. The Government continues to use all avenues open to it to urge action in addressing the urgent humanitarian, security and political challenges which exist there. I specifically raised the...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 152 together. Both the Taoiseach and I have expressed our shock at the murder of former Prime Minister Hariri, and condemned the appalling attack which took his life and those of so many other people. Mr. Hariri was Prime Minister of Lebanon for a total period of ten years. He played a critical role in bringing Lebanon forward from the era of the...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Together with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. Paul Murphy MP, I co-chaired a meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in Dublin on 2 March. I was accompanied at the meeting by my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell. The Secretary of State was accompanied by Mr. John Spellar MP and Mr. Ian Pearson MP, Ministers of...

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

Dermot Ahern: Ireland and its EU partners have continuing concerns about the general human rights situation in Syria, including the position of the Kurdish minority. We continue to avail of all appropriate opportunities to engage with the Syrian authorities about these concerns and to raise specific issues where this appears to be appropriate. The Syrian authorities are well aware of the EU's concerns...

Written Answers — Detention of Irish Citizens: Detention of Irish Citizens (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The position is that all foreign citizens, regardless of nationality, detained in the US in respect of immigration violations, are likely to be held for up to eight weeks while the deportation process is completed. The US Department of Homeland Security has indicated that this timeframe arises from the logistical and administrative procedures involved in deporting an individual from the US,...

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

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of the document to which the Deputy refers, in which the central committee of the World Council of Churches "reminds churches with investment funds that they have an opportunity to use those funds responsibly in support of peaceful solutions to conflict" and refers to the possibility of selective divestment from multinational corporations involved with practices in breach of...

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

Dermot Ahern: A rebellion against the monarchy of Nepal, led by the extreme left wing Nepal Communist Party — Maoists — has been ongoing since 1996. The insurgency has, to date, claimed approximately 10,000 lives. The rebels are fighting to abolish the constitutional monarchy and establish a socialist state in the Himalayan kingdom. It is estimated that more than 40% of the country is now under Maoist...

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

Dermot Ahern: Africa is a continent beset by often seemingly insurmountable problems such as conflict, debt, poverty, HIV/AIDS and the abuse of human rights. However, the African Union represents an important strategic partner for the European Union and one with whom ever closer relations are being forged in the interests of promoting peace, security, democracy and development on the African continent. The...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I had hoped to meet President Abbas at the General Affairs and External Relations Council last month but, unfortunately, pressure of commitments in the region prevented him from taking up the Council's invitation to attend. I intend to visit the Middle East region in the near future. I hope to have an opportunity to meet President Abbas then. We are, of course, in regular and ongoing contact...

Written Answers — National Honours System: National Honours System (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: One of the recommendations of the task force on policy towards emigrants was that an awards scheme be established to recognise the service of Irish persons abroad. I am aware of the invaluable contribution which Irish people who have emigrated have made and continue to make to developments in their adopted countries. On every appropriate occasion, I express appreciation and pay a warm tribute...

Written Answers — Natural Disasters: Natural Disasters (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: There are two confirmed Irish casualties. There are two other Irish citizens who, regrettably, are also believed to have lost their lives. My Department remains actively involved in efforts to locate their remains in Thailand.

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Over the coming six months, I will attend a number of EU related meetings, including meetings of the General Affairs and External Relations Council, GAERC. Other overseas engagements are under consideration and decisions on these will be taken in due course. In addition, I will also travel to Boston and Washington for St. Patrick's Day events.

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

Dermot Ahern: I am aware that the Deputy has taken a strong interest in the history and Irish links of Montserrat and that he was concerned about the humanitarian situation of the islanders after the major volcanic eruption of 1997. The Embassy of Ireland in Washington has advised me that Senator Kennedy, joined by Senators John Kerry and Charles Schumer, has written to President Bush to urge the US...

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

Dermot Ahern: Uganda's track record in poverty reduction and economic management over the last 18 years stands up favourably to comparison with much of Africa. The country has earned a good reputation in some areas such as press freedom. The decision to move to a multiparty system and the recent registration of some political parties offer the possibility of greater democratic change in future. However,...

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: President Bush met with the EU Council, Commission and Troika on 22 February 2005. Among the topics discussed at the meeting with the Council were the Middle East peace process, Iraq, Iran, Russia, Ukraine, the Western Balkans and the UN summit scheduled for September 2005. During the meeting each EU head of state or government focused on a particular agenda item, with the Taoiseach, at the...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: As I said in my reply of 2 February 2005, the Good Friday Agreement provides that the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister should be jointly elected by a cross community vote in the Assembly. The revised arrangements, outlined in the comprehensive agreement published on 8 December last, would, in addition to the First and Deputy First Ministers, include the other Ministers being...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: While I have not had the opportunity in recent weeks to meet my colleagues in the Israeli and Palestinian Governments, regular contact is maintained between our governments including through diplomatic channels. I intend to visit the Middle East region in the near future. The Government both bilaterally and within the framework of the EU and UN is continuing its efforts to encourage progress...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 140 together. As the House is aware, I met with Robert McCartney's sisters and his partner two weeks ago. The family were very clear in their desire to have the killers and their accomplices charged and tried in court. Their public campaign has been necessitated by the fact that the police were being hindered in their investigation as a result of the...

Written Answers — Ukrainian Presidential Election: Ukrainian Presidential Election (8 Mar 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Viktor Yushchenko was inaugurated as President of Ukraine on 23 January following the rerun of the second round of presidential elections. On 4 February Ms Yulia Tymoshenko was appointed as Prime Minister and a new Government took office. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our warm congratulations to the President and Prime Minister of Ukraine as well as the Government and to...