Results 16,361-16,380 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 181 together. The Taoiseach undertook an official visit to China from 17-22 January 2005. Official talks took place between Premier Wen Jiabao and the Taoiseach on 18 January in Beijing during which general bilateral relations and foreign policy issues were discussed. The Taoiseach also paid courtesy calls on Mr. Hu Jintao, President of the People's...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I have not yet had the opportunity to make direct contact with President Abbas. The Taoiseach telephoned President Abbas to congratulate him on his election victory shortly after the result was formally announced and the Government will maintain contact with President Abbas in the weeks to come. It is my intention to visit the region in the near future and I hope to meet with President Abbas...

Written Answers — Arms Trade: Arms Trade (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 178 together. China has for some time been seeking the lifting of the EU arms embargo on that country. China has argued that the embargo is discriminatory and does not reflect the nature of the present relationship between China and the EU. It has argued that its purpose in seeking the lifting of the embargo is to remove a symbolic impediment to...

Written Answers — Tsunami Disaster: Tsunami Disaster (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: My Department is no longer advising against travel to the Maldives, the eastern parts of Sri Lanka and the western coastal areas of Thailand. However, because of disruption to tourists and public services as a result of damage caused by the tsunami, my Department advises Irish travellers intending to travel to the Maldives, the eastern and southern coastal areas of India, including the...

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

Dermot Ahern: In November 2004, the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee of the British House of Commons announced that it would hold an inquiry entitled "Reconciliation: Dealing with Northern Ireland's Past". The Irish Embassy has been in contact with the committee with regard to this particular inquiry. Mr. Michael Mates, chairman of the committee has stated publicly that the committee recognises that...

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

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 246 together. With regard to Bulgaria and Romania, the European Council noted the formal closure of accession negotiations at the European Council on 16-17 December 2004. Both countries are due to sign an accession treaty on 25 April on the occasion of the General Affairs and External Relations Council. From that day they will participate as active...

Written Answers — Tsunami Disaster: Tsunami Disaster (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 182 together. So far, there are two confirmed Irish casualties. There are two other Irish people still missing in Thailand and who I very much regret to say seem most unlikely to be found alive at this stage. There is a small number of others whom my Department are still trying to contact but who are regarded as low risk as they were mostly notified to...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Under the terms of the comprehensive peace agreement of August 2003, 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. The elections are scheduled for October and voter registration is due to start in April. The cost of the elections is expected to amount to...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government, in common with its partners in the European Union and the wider international community, has welcomed the recent victory of Mahmoud Abbas in the Palestinian presidential elections. The EU election observation mission reported that the conduct of the election was generally satisfactory considering the difficult circumstances surrounding it. The Taoiseach personally...

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

Dermot Ahern: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 97 today.

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

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy is referring to the report of the high level panel on threats, challenges and change, which issued on 2 December 2004. The high level panel was established in November 2003 by the United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, to examine how best collective action can meet current and future threats to peace and security. Specifically, the panel was tasked with analysing current and...

Written Answers — Natural Disasters: Natural Disasters (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The General Affairs and External Relations Council, GAERC, on Monday, 31 January, discussed the issue of enhancing the EU's capacity to respond to emergency situations such as the Asian tsunami, including through rapid response civilian capabilities. The EU already has a number of mechanisms at its disposal in the civil protection and civilian crisis management arena to respond to both...

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

Dermot Ahern: On 10 January 2005, Mr. Jean Arnault, the special representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations, UNSRSG, for Afghanistan reported to the UN Security Council. The special representative said that the security situation in Afghanistan had shown signs of improvement in recent weeks. He cautioned, however, that the international community should not become complacent and pointed...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government stands ready, in concert with our EU partners, to assist the parties to the conflict in their efforts to move forward on the basis of the road map. Ireland, through its membership of the European Union and its relations with Palestine, Israel, the United States, Arab and other key partners, will strongly support early action, led by the quartet, to advance the implementation of...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The European Union will meet with the US President on 22 February. This meeting will provide an excellent opportunity for the EU and US to consider how best to support further progress in the implementation of the quartet road map. I also note the intention of the United Kingdom to host a conference in London on 1 March which will focus on means by which the international community can...

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

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of the interest of some Irish people living in Britain in seeing Irish television programmes and will keep my colleague the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources advised of the views of our community abroad on this matter.

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: My discussions with Swedish foreign minister, Laila Freivalds, and Finnish foreign minister, Erkki Tuomioja in Stockholm and Helsinki last week covered a wide range of issues. These included the ongoing development of the European security and defence policy and the role EU rapid response elements, or battlegroups, can play in enhancing the EU's crisis management capabilities. The visit...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: As stated on many occasions, the Government continues to take concerns about human rights in China very seriously. Human rights issues are a constant point of discussion with the Chinese authorities at national and European Union level. Dialogue on human rights issues is a constant element of our bilateral exchanges. While recognising that respect for human rights in China is not at the level...

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

Dermot Ahern: While my officials have been examining this case, I do not propose to comment on its particular circumstances. The person concerned has been convicted of contempt of court. My officials have, however, met with representatives of the Bloody Sunday Trust and are aware of their deep concern. I understand that the individual concerned is not currently looking to appeal the conviction.

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

Dermot Ahern: The incident to which the Deputy refers was initially raised by the Government with the British authorities through the British-Irish intergovernmental secretariat in Belfast in September 2004 at the time the listening device was discovered. I also understand that the leader of the Deputy's party presented the electronic device in question to the British Prime Minister Mr. Blair at the...