Results 16,501-16,520 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (2 Nov 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I am pleased to note that there is now a dedicated section within the General Register Office which deals with applications for birth certificates submitted, for example, from Irish centres in Britain.

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts: Motion. (27 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I thank the Senators who tabled the motion which the Government is happy to support. I thank the speakers for their contributions. It is interesting that the Seanad, for the second week in a row, is discussing issues pertaining to that part of the world. That is as it should be. The Government and both Houses of the Oireachtas look forward to a peaceful resolution of the intractable issues in...

Seanad: Kidnapping of Irish Citizen: Motion. (21 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I value this opportunity to address the Seanad on this very difficult and distressing situation, the abduction of Mrs. Margaret Hassan, a very dedicated and widely admired humanitarian who was kidnapped in Iraq a number of days ago. As Senators are aware, the Dáil yesterday unanimously passed a resolution condemning this appalling act and calling for Mrs. Hassan's immediate release. This...

Seanad: Kidnapping of Irish Citizen: Motion. (21 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I thank the Senators for their sentiments. I empathise and agree with what Senator Ross said. From my contact with the members of Margaret Hassan's family in Ireland, I know they have been upset by the invasion of privacy, especially at a time when it is difficult for them to get their heads around what is going on and what they can do at so far a remove. From that point of view the Senator...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: Despite difficulties, there has overall been significant political progress in Burundi since the signing of the Arusha peace accord in August 2000. That accord provided for a three year transition period to end on 31 October 2004 by which time national elections were due to be held. However, this three-year transition period is likely to be extended due to disagreements on the new draft...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 166, 173, 194, 198, 214, 235 and 365 together. The crisis in Darfur is at the top of the agenda for Ireland, the European Union and, as we heard from Secretary General, Kofi Annan, last week, the United Nations. The immediate priority is to address the vulnerability of those at greatest risk. They need security and humanitarian assistance. One without the...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I reiterate the Government's condemnation of the horrific events in Beslan last month. The hostage-takers clearly had no regard for human life and their callous actions served no purpose other than to bring death, fear and harrowing grief to the people of Beslan and Russia. The Government responded promptly by providing support for humanitarian efforts in Beslan. On 6 September, the...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: Elections for a new Kosovo assembly will be held on 23 October. Preparations for the elections have been difficult due to the reluctance of Kosovo Serb parties to participate on the grounds that their security has not been fully assured. The most recent meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council welcomed the statement by President Boris Tadic of Serbia encouraging Kosovo...

Written Answers — Terrorist Attacks: Terrorist Attacks (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 222 together. Matters pertaining to the security of embassies in Ireland are the responsibility of the security authorities in this State. The primary responsibility for such security rests with the Garda Síochána. While it is not the practice to comment on specific details of security arrangements relating to the protection of individual embassies,...

Written Answers — Emigrant Services: Emigrant Services (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: The DION fund for Irish emigrant welfare in Britain is allocated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the basis of recommendations from the DION committee. The committee, which was established in 1984, replaced earlier consultative arrangements on emigrant welfare services for vulnerable Irish people in Britain. The DION committee's role is to advise and report on welfare services for...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: The following is a list of my confirmed overseas engagements for the remainder of the year. On 29 October, I will be in Rome to sign the European constitution. There will be three meetings of the General Affairs and External Relations Council between now and the end of the year. These will take place in Brussels on 2 and 3 November, 22 and 23 November and 13 and 14 December. I will also...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: As Minister for Foreign Affairs, my predecessor, Deputy Cowen, together with the Foreign Ministers of all EU member states, met US Secretary of State Powell in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly on 22 September last. It is a feature of Ministers' week at the General Assembly that EU Foreign Ministers meet the US Secretary of State. The meeting represents an important...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 174, 179 and 368 together. Secretary General Annan's official visit last week took place at the invitation of the Government. It was his first visit to Ireland since 1999 and provided an excellent opportunity for an exchange of views on a range of issues at a critical time for the United Nations. Many Deputies will have been present in Dublin Castle to hear...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 175, 180 and 190 together. The Government has pursued a strong and consistent line in support of democracy in Burma. Both Ireland, and our EU partners, remain strongly critical of the continued detention under house arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the absence of political progress, serious and persistent human rights abuses and the lack of fundamental freedoms...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: The International Committee of the Red Cross plays a crucial role in protecting the interests of prisoners held as a result of conflict. The Red Cross has access to the US detention facilities in Iraq where it is understood between 4,600 and 5,100 persons are being held. A further 50 persons are held by UK forces. In addition to highlighting shortcomings in detention facilities, the Red Cross...

Written Answers — Travel Agreements: Travel Agreements (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I assume the Deputy is referring to the agreement between the European Union and the United States on passenger name records. The agreement applies to all member states. There are no separate bilateral arrangements between Ireland and the United States on the issue. The agreement between the European Union and the United States on the processing and transfer of passenger name records data by...

Written Answers — Emigrant Services: Emigrant Services (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: My predecessor announced in London in July the establishment of a dedicated unit within the Department of Foreign Affairs to deal with issues concerning Irish people overseas. He announced at the same time he was making available a further €1 million for services for emigrants, bringing the total for this year to €5 million. The issues of concern identified in the report of the task force...

Written Answers — Arms Trade: Arms Trade (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I am aware of a process led by a number of non-governmental organisations, including Amnesty International and Oxfam, aimed at the development of an international arms trade treaty which is intended to be a legally binding agreement with core principles and mechanisms relating to international transfers of arms. A welcome aspect of the proposed treaty is that it has the objective of setting...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 359 together. The presidential election in Afghanistan, the first election to be held since the 1960s, took place on 9 October 2004. This election constitutes the penultimate step in the implementation of the Bonn agreement of December 2001, on arrangements for the re-establishment of permanent government institutions in Afghanistan. The holding of...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (19 Oct 2004)

Dermot Ahern: The government and people of Timor Leste have continued to make good progress in building up their country, with continuing support from the international community, including from Ireland and the EU as a whole. The development of their economy and the consolidation of their democratic institutions is ongoing. On 23 August 2004 the United Nations Secretary General provided a report on Timor...