Results 16,461-16,480 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland contributed six observers to the European Union's election observation mission for the Palestinian presidential elections. The mission confirmed that the Palestinian presidential elections proceeded in a satisfactory manner given the difficult circumstances. The European Union welcomed the considerable turnout of voters at the first presidential elections since 1996 and noted that by...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Ireland has consistently emphasised its commitment to supporting international efforts to bring about a lasting peace in which two states, Israel and Palestine, can live side by side in peace and co-operation. This position is well understood by all parties and is conveyed in the Government's regular contacts with the Israeli government. I set this position out during my most recent...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of the tragic incident to which the Deputy refers. No specific representations were made to the Israeli authorities about this particular incident, which forms part of a pattern of killings of both Palestinians and Israelis. The Israeli authorities are aware of the Government's views on the use of military force in the occupied Palestinian territories. The Government, in common...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: No meeting has been scheduled as yet between President Abbas and any member of the Government. 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...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: It is my understanding that the nomination of Alberto R. Gonzales, the White House counsel, to be Attorney General of the United States is still being debated in the US Congress. It would not be appropriate for me to express an opinion on nominations to positions within the US administration and I have no intention of doing so. The United States is well aware of the Government's concerns...

Written Answers — Civil Crisis Management Force: Civil Crisis Management Force (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The European Union has been working in recent years to develop the Union's civilian capabilities to respond to crisis situations, both in respect of natural disasters such as the Asian tsunami and in respect of conflict and post-conflict scenarios. The European Commission has submitted no formal proposal concerning an international crisis management force. However, as part of ongoing...

Written Answers — Irish Immigration Centres: Irish Immigration Centres (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I am acutely aware of the concerns expressed, including at the recent annual conference of the National Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers in the United States, regarding the well-being of some Irish emigrants living in the United States. The Irish immigration centres, which are located across the United States, form an integral part of their local Irish community. They provide much...

Written Answers — Humanitarian Aid: Humanitarian Aid (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: On my recent visit to tsunami-affected countries, I visited the province of Aceh on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. The scale of the destruction in the city of Banda Aceh, which I personally witnessed, is truly appalling. The loss of life and destruction of property are almost beyond words. There is a clear and acute need for ongoing international assistance for the emergency and for...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Deputies will be aware that the epicentre of the earthquake which caused the tsunami was about 155 miles south-southeast of Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh. Accurate figures for the death toll have been difficult to ascertain, but on 25 January 2005, the Indonesian authorities announced they were lowering the confirmed death toll to 96,000 but raising the number of missing and presumed dead...

Written Answers — Humanitarian Aid: Humanitarian Aid (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I wrote to the Foreign Minister of Burma, Major General Nyan Win, on 7 January 2005, to convey the Government's sympathy for the loss of life sustained in Burma as a result of the tsunami. In my letter, I also outlined the efforts we had been making at the EU and UN levels, and with international agencies and non-governmental organisations, to ensure that assistance is provided to those most...

Written Answers — Humanitarian Aid: Humanitarian Aid (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are union territory of India and lie far out in the Bay of Bengal. The islands, which suffered particularly badly from the impact of the tsunami, are populated by a number of indigenous groups, and are difficult to access. According to the latest estimates, the death toll in India is 10,749. The total number of missing persons is reported to be 5,640, of whom...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government maintains regular contact with the Turkish Government on a wide range of issues, including Turkey's progress towards accession negotiations, the political reform process and the Cyprus problem. Last year, during Ireland's EU Presidency, the Turkish Government made a very positive contribution to the efforts of the UN Secretary General to achieve a comprehensive settlement of...

Written Answers — United Nations Reform: United Nations Reform (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: A central element of Ireland's foreign policy has been the promotion of an effective multilateral system and the strengthening of the rules-based international order, with the United Nations at its centre. The Government believes that it is essential that the member states of the United Nations take action to enhance the effectiveness and the legitimacy of the United Nations, and is committed...

Written Answers — Arms Trade: Arms Trade (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The Government continues to examine this issue with our EU partners in the context of our overall relationship with China, our ongoing commitment to human rights and the broader regional and international context. At the EU-China Summit held on 8 December 2004 the EU confirmed its political will to continue to work towards lifting the embargo. The Chinese side welcomed this positive signal...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The advisory board for Development Cooperation Ireland, the inaugural meeting of which was held on 30 September 2002, is the only body under the aegis of my Department which has not been made subject to the Freedom of Information Act to date. Proposals to extend the scope of the Freedom of Information Act, to include bodies such as the advisory board for Development Cooperation Ireland, are...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: Human rights are and have always been a priority of successive Irish Governments and a central part of our foreign policy. The Irish Government has consistently stated its belief that the protection and promotion of international human rights is vital and that, despite the different approaches to human rights which may exist from one culture to another, international human rights standards...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I recently appointed the following to the board of the Ireland-United States Commission for Educational Exchange, Fulbright Commission, for a two-year term Dr. Donal Thornhill, former Chairman of the Higher Education Authority; Professor Joyce O'Connor, President, National College of Ireland, and Ms Una Halligan, Government and Public Affairs Director, Hewlett Packard Ireland. The Fulbright...

Tsunami Disaster: Statements. (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: We are also preparing for the first time a White Paper on ODA, and the Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, will lead on this. I will not take any lectures from Deputy Burton. Ireland is the eighth highest donor of ODA in the world. We have tripled it since 1997 and over the next three years, we will put in place €1.8 billion in ODA. Deputy Sargent referred to the meeting with the aid...

Tsunami Disaster: Statements. (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: I thank Members for their comments. Deputy Kenny referred to the need for additional medics. The WHO has stated that there is no need for additional medics, particularly in Indonesia where there was an avalanche of medics. Following such disasters, we always give people, particularly those in the public service, the opportunity to take time off to assist. It is not often I get compliments...

Leaders' Questions. (26 Jan 2005)

Dermot Ahern: The veil is dropping.