Results 16,321-16,340 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (3 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 120 together. I have read the recent reports referred to by the Deputy, and have raised the matter with the British authorities through the office of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat in Belfast.

Written Answers — Common Foreign and Security Policy: Common Foreign and Security Policy (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: In the context of the European security and defence policy, ESDP, the Union is increasing its ability to contribute to both the civilian and military dimensions of crisis management. There is great value in the comparative advantage of the EU in this area, given the Union's unique range of "soft power" instruments to utilise for conflict prevention, crisis management and peace promotion...

Written Answers — Iraqi Elections: Iraqi Elections (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The elections held in Iraq on Sunday, 30 January, marked a critical step in the process for the political reconstruction of Iraq laid down in UN Security Council Resolution 1546 of June 2004. It is not likely that we will have indications of the outcome of the election for some days yet, and official results may take about a week. Early indications of turnout, which are provisional, suggest...

Written Answers — Departmental Recruitment: Departmental Recruitment (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: A new open competition for the position of third secretary, the recruitment grade for the diplomatic service, was advertised in the national media at the end of last week, with a closing date for applications of 10 February. Applicants must have a first or second class honours degree in any discipline. Staffing levels in the development co-operation directorate of the Department of Foreign...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 176 together. The proposals for a comprehensive agreement that were published by the two Governments on 8 December covered the key issues that must be resolved to finally and definitively assure peace and political stability in Northern Ireland. They addressed the four crux issues, which had been the subject of intensive discussions since the Assembly...

Written Answers — Situation in Uganda: Situation in Uganda (2 Feb 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 multi-party system and the recent registration of some political parties offer the possibility of greater democratic change in future. However,...

Written Answers — Ukrainian Presidential Election: Ukrainian Presidential Election (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 102, 123, 154 and 242 together. I take this opportunity to offer President Yushchenko and his incoming administration our sincere congratulations and to wish them every success for the challenges ahead. The people and leaders of Ukraine deserve particular praise for having achieved a peaceful outcome to the recent political crisis. I am very encouraged that...

Written Answers — Identity Cards: Identity Cards (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Discussions on the issue of national identity cards in the UK have been ongoing at official level for some time now, as my predecessor, the Minister, Deputy Cowen, outlined to the Dáil in two previous replies on 18 May and on 30 September 2004. At this early stage of the proposal, official level contact remains the most appropriate level at which to address our concerns. My officials from...

Written Answers — Nuclear Programmes: Nuclear Programmes (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The issue of the nuclear programme of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK, is kept under close and regular scrutiny within the European Union. There are, however, very few sources of reliable and independent information concerning its nature. Generally, the most reliable source of information about a country's nuclear activities is the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA,...

Written Answers — Iraqi Elections: Iraqi Elections (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to QuestionNo. 97 today.

Written Answers — United Nations Recruitment: United Nations Recruitment (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am advised that vacancies in professional grades in United Nations representative offices located in Brussels and accredited to the European Union are advertised on the central UN employment website, and prospective candidates are invited to submit applications on-line. Those employed in the professional grades enjoy the status of international civil servants and receive appropriate...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representations: Diplomatic Representations (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 108, 124, 146 and 161 together. As has been stated previously, the Government has pursued a consistent line of support for democracy in Burma. Ireland and our EU partners remain strongly critical of the continued detention under house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi, other activists, and a number of MPs elected in the elections of 1990. We have consistently...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 109, 128 and 151 together. I met the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. Paul Murphy, at Iveagh House on 17 January. This meeting was the first with the British Government since the PSNI Chief Constable, Mr. Hugh Orde, made public his assessment that the IRA was responsible for the December raid on the Northern Bank. Both Governments believe that the...

Written Answers — Government Apology: Government Apology (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The declaration of Irish neutrality by the then Taoiseach, Éamon de Valera, during the Second World War was widely welcomed across the political spectrum. As a result, the security and safety of the Irish people were protected throughout the most horrific conflict in human history. In the operation of his policy of neutrality, Mr. de Valera, showing very great and courageous skills, worked...

Written Answers — Situation in Kosovo: Situation in Kosovo (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The new Kosovo Assembly, which was elected on 23 October, approved the formation of a new government on 3 December 2004. The government is a coalition between the Democratic League of Kosovo, the LDK, which holds 47 seats, and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, the AAK, which holds eight seats in the assembly. The leader of the LDK, Ibrahim Rugova, was reappointed President. The new Prime...

Written Answers — Humanitarian Assistance: Humanitarian Assistance (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 113, 136, 192 and 244 together. The overall prospects for establishing peace and promoting development in all parts of Sudan have been greatly enhanced by the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement for southern Sudan between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-Army, SPLM-A, in Nairobi, Kenya on 9 January 2005. This is an...

Written Answers — European External Action Service: European External Action Service (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The European constitution provides for the creation of a European external action service, EEAS, the function of which is to assist the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs in the fulfilment of his or her mandate. The EEAS cannot be established until after the entry into force of the constitution, the target date for which is 1 November 2006. Preparatory work is at a very early stage, though...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 116, 121 and 189 together. 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...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The security situation in Iraq has continued to be a source of great concern. After something of a lull following operations in Fallujah, violent attacks in Iraq have increased in intensity again. This was expected in the lead-up to the elections on 30 January. There appeared to be a shift in focus away from attacks on US and international forces, although these continued, and instead...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The issue of whether the free travel scheme can be extended to older Irish people resident outside the State is one with which I am familiar and that has been raised with me, including at a recent conference for emigrant service providers in Dublin and again during my visit to London in December. I refer the Deputy to a reply in the House on 15 December 2004 by my colleague, the Minister for...