Results 16,421-16,440 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

European Council Meetings: Statements. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: There was no discussion at the Council meeting about the co-ordination of the ratification of referenda. Each country is conscious of and takes account of what others are doing but each member state must decide when it will embark on the process, whether that is through parliamentary ratification or by referendum.

European Council Meetings: Statements. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: That is a hypothetical question.

European Council Meetings: Statements. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The issue of the Chinese arms embargo has been raised time and time again in the House, at the foreign affairs committee and by the public. It is on the table at EU level on the basis that a number of member states have a difficulty with the lifting of the embargo because of human rights issues in China. Irish representatives articulate the view of the Oireachtas regarding our position.

European Council Meetings: Statements. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: We do not believe an arms embargo in this day and age, given how good our relations are with China, is an instrument to do business with or to hold as a bargaining chip in regard to other matters about which we might have difficulties.

European Council Meetings: Statements. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The commissioner raised this issue at the meeting and there will be discussions between now and 17 March in this respect. However, our view is the discussions with Croatia should take place on 17 March and should continue thereafter. The handing over of Gotovina is a vexed issue and the Croatian Government is doing all it can to ensure he is brought to justice. It is a matter of concern to...

US Military Intervention. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: There is widespread international concern about Iran's development of its nuclear programme, in particular its uranium enrichment component, and its compliance with its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. This concern is the subject of regular consultations between the European Union and the United States. Based on these consultations, it is my understanding that the US...

US Military Intervention. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: As I said in my reply, discussions at EU level between the UK, France, Germany and the Iranian authorities have been extremely successful. I will not repeat that reply which outlines how far we have come at this time. Both Prime Minister Mr. Blair and Foreign Secretary Mr. Straw had recent contacts with the US authorities in this respect and they stated categorically that they are not aware...

US Military Intervention. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Part of my discussions with Condoleezza Rice will revolve around the Middle East and the Iranian situation. As far as the European Union and I are concerned there is no twin-track approach on this. Discussions are ongoing with the Iranian authorities and they are bearing fruit. All those who are involved, both the US and the Israeli authorities appear to be happy with the fact that discussion...

Middle East Peace Process. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I have not yet had the opportunity to speak directly to President Mahmoud Abbas. The Taoiseach telephoned President Abbas to congratulate him on his success in the elections and assured him of Ireland's continuing support for efforts to bring an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This contact also gave an opportunity for the Taoiseach to re-emphasise Ireland's consistent concern for the...

Middle East Peace Process. (2 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: We are aware of the incident and have been in contact with the Israeli authorities through our embassy. The portents have been good regarding last week's contacts between the Israelis and Palestinians. Public statements from all parties are encouraging. Some of the moves, apart from the incident described by the Deputy, are positive. We are under no illusion that the process could be derailed...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (1 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I have made three appointments to the board of the Ireland-United States Commission for Educational Exchange — the Fulbright Commission — since August 2004. My predecessor made five reappointments and three appointments to the DION committee. I will give details of the three people I appointed to the board of the Ireland-United States Commission for Educational Exchange for a two-year...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (1 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I understand that Mr. Remzi Kartal was detained in Germany on 22 January on the basis of an international arrest warrant issued by Turkey. Mr. Kartal is detained in Nuremberg and his case is under consideration by the German judicial authorities. I do not intend to make representations to the German authorities about this case.

Written Answers — Election Observers: Election Observers (1 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland did not send observers to the elections in Iraq.

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (1 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The views of the United States on Iran are well known. Its concerns about Iran's nuclear programme are shared by the European Union. The EU has been in negotiation with Iran to address the concerns. As a result, Iran has suspended certain aspects of its nuclear programme. Negotiations are proceeding and I hope further progress can be made.

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (1 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: President Bush will meet the European Council during his visit to Brussels on 22 February 2005. Discussions are ongoing about the agenda for the meeting. I welcome the visit as reflecting a desire on the part of the United States and the EU to continue to strengthen the transatlantic relationship. Ireland and its EU partners favour a focused and practical discussion on a number of key issues...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (1 Feb 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of a media report that Mr. Zhao Xin was arrested on 21 January 2005. According to the report, Mr. Zhao's application to hold a parade "to protest against the authority's forcefully depriving the citizens of their rights to commemorate Zhao Ziyang, the former General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party" was rejected. While no further information is yet available on the case, I...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (27 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: From June 2002 to date, the Department of Foreign Affairs issued 21 official credit cards. A list of office holders issued with these official credit cards and the number of occasions on which the cards were used is set out in annex A. The Department issues official credit cards to Ministers, Ministers of State and a limited number of officers who, because of the nature of their work, need to...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (27 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The United States authorities are very well aware of the Government's view, which we have expressed many times, that all military operations where civilians are at risk should be planned and conducted so as to keep the use of force to a minimum and make every possible effort to avoid civilian casualties. This would include the manning of checkpoints by military forces. The Government's...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (27 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am not aware that the US administration has taken the action described by the Deputy. I am aware that Dr. Rice referred to Cuba as an "outpost of tyranny" at her confirmation hearings in the US Senate. The Government has long been concerned about human rights abuses in Cuba. At the same time, we continue to encourage a process of peaceful transition to a pluralist democracy and respect for...

Written Answers — European Union Law: European Union Law (27 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: There is nothing in European Union law which prohibits a member of the European Commission from participating in a political campaign. The Commission has in the past made clear its view that its members are political figures who exercise a political role, within the parameters of which they retain the right to express their personal opinions freely on their own responsibility. It is entirely...