Results 19,401-19,420 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (25 May 2004)

Brian Cowen: Discussions on the human rights situation in China, and the situation in Tibet have been ongoing at every level during our EU Presidency. The Government has consistently called on the Chinese authorities to respect fully the rights of the Tibetan people, including prisoners. We will continue to address our ongoing concerns regarding the protection of human rights in Tibet along with the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (18 May 2004)

Brian Cowen: The case raised by the Deputy relates to five Cuban citizens who were convicted in the US in December 2001 on charges ranging from espionage to first degree murder, and whose appeal commenced in March of this year. As I have previously informed the Deputy, the Government has no standing in this matter which is a bilateral consular question between the Cuban and US authorities.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (18 May 2004)

Brian Cowen: The Government has publicly and strongly condemned the mistreatment and abuse of prisoners in Iraq by US and UK forces. We made our concerns known directly to the US and UK authorities when the allegations first came to light. Yesterday, the EU Council of Ministers, acting on the initiative of the Irish Presidency, adopted the following conclusions. The Council expressed its abhorrence at...

Written Answers — National Identity Card: National Identity Card (18 May 2004)

Brian Cowen: The Embassy of Ireland, London, met the British authorities at official level on 20 November 2003 and again on 10 May 2004 to discuss the introduction of national identity cards in the UK. I understand that assurances have been provided by the British Government that the principles of freedom of movement throughout the common travel area covering the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Ireland...

Written Answers — Common Foreign and Security Policy: Common Foreign and Security Policy (18 May 2004)

Brian Cowen: The Irish Government's position on the US embargo has been made very clear over the years by our consistent vote against it, together with our EU partners, in the UN General Assembly, most recently on 4 November 2003. In bilateral contacts with the US administration, we have never left them in any doubt regarding our strong opposition to the embargo. It is our belief that the effect of the...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (13 May 2004)

Brian Cowen: The following is the number of passports issued for the years 1999 — 2003 in the countries and areas requested by the Deputy. Area 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 United Kingdom 61,813 66,037 64,829 78,066 73,581 European Economic Area 5,388 5,526 5,770 5,791 6,344 United States 11,702 10,978 11,665 13,352 15,601 Other Countries 14,764 16,713 14,784 15,146...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (13 May 2004)

Brian Cowen: Since the judge's decision in the case was announced on 26 April, officials from our embassy in Mexico, which is also accredited to Colombia, have been in close contact with the Colombian authorities, as well as with the Dutch Ambassador, who is representing our interests, and the Irish Honorary Consul in Bogota. In all its contacts, the embassy has made clear the importance we attach to...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (13 May 2004)

Brian Cowen: The Government has from the outset called on all parties in the conflict to respect their obligations under international law both in regard to the status of civilians and in regard to prisoners of war. The Government's calls are in keeping with the public pronouncements of UN Secretary General Annan. Moreover, Security Council resolution 1483 of 22 May 2003 calls upon all concerned to comply...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (13 May 2004)

Brian Cowen: The person to whom the Deputy refers was born abroad and is seeking to claim Irish citizenship on the basis of having a grandparent who was born in Ireland. He has been advised by my Department of the documents that are required for this purpose. On the successful completion of this process, the person concerned will be entitled to an Irish passport and his application will be processed by...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (13 May 2004)

Brian Cowen: The Government has from the outset called on all parties in the conflict to respect their obligations under international law both in regard to the status of civilians and in regard to prisoners of war. In line with this, the Government has publicly and strongly condemned any incidents of abuse of prisoners in Iraq by occupying forces which have taken place as contrary to international...

Written Answers — Military Neutrality: Military Neutrality (13 May 2004)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 112 together. Fourteen military aircraft were granted overflight permission during the period of 30 April to 3 May 2004. As regards landings, permission was granted to 34 foreign military aircraft, including state aircraft transporting VIPs, which are categorised as military aircraft for this purpose, to land at Irish airports during the same period,...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (13 May 2004)

Brian Cowen: I am aware of this case and I have met with the family of the person in question. On my instructions, the case continues to be closely monitored by my Department through the Irish Embassy in London. The embassy in London remains in contact with both the person himself and his solicitor. I understand that the solicitor is still seeking appropriate grounds on which either to lodge an appeal...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (13 May 2004)

Brian Cowen: As stated in my reply to the previous question referred to by the Deputy, I am very conscious of the importance of maintaining adequate security arrangements in respect of communication facilities in all the offices of my Department. However, for security reasons, it would not be appropriate to state what measures are taken in this regard in any particular mission. I would like to state...

Written Answers — Property Acquisitions: Property Acquisitions (4 May 2004)

Brian Cowen: My Department has not had any discussions or negotiations which might lead to the acquisition by purchase or leasehold of the property identified by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Irish Emigrants: Irish Emigrants (4 May 2004)

Brian Cowen: The amounts recommended in the task force report, including €18 million in 2004, were seen by the task force as the optimum amounts required if its recommendations are to be implemented immediately. I have made clear that the measures proposed by the task force cannot be put into effect overnight, even if the level of resources advocated could be provided, because of their range and...

Written Answers — International Recognition: International Recognition (30 Mar 2004)

Brian Cowen: For several years, Taiwan has been lobbying to be accepted as a member of the World Health Organisation, WHO. As Taiwan has not succeeded in securing membership of the WHO, it has sought observer status at the organisation's annual World Health Assembly, WHA. In previous years, the assembly has not included the issue of Taiwan as an item on its agenda. Since 1971, when Ireland voted in favour...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (30 Mar 2004)

Brian Cowen: I am aware that 88 Deputies, from all parties, have signed this letter to the Secretary General of the United Nations, supporting a call for the United Nations to review its role in the Act of Free Choice in Papua in 1969. At the April 2003 meeting of the EU External Relations Council, Ireland, together with our EU partners, adopted revised Council Conclusions on Indonesia, confirming the...

Written Answers — Landing Rights: Landing Rights (30 Mar 2004)

Brian Cowen: The number of foreign military aircraft granted landing permission under the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, in 2003 was 391. To date in 2004 permission has been given for 163 foreign military flights to land here.

Written Answers — Conference on Disarmament: Conference on Disarmament (30 Mar 2004)

Brian Cowen: I had the privilege of addressing the conference on disarmament, CD, in Geneva on 16 March 2004. During my speech I stressed strong support for the role of the United Nations in conflict prevention and in peacekeeping and our belief that the CD can have an important role to play in UN efforts to maintain peace and security. I emphasised the importance that Ireland attaches to multilateral...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (30 Mar 2004)

Brian Cowen: On 17 February 2004, as President of the Council of Ministers, I led an EU Troika mission to Afghanistan, during which separate meetings were held with President Karzai and with Foreign Minister Abdullah. The Troika expressed to its Afghan interlocutors the great importance that the EU attaches to achieving progress in the reconstruction of Afghanistan and the Union's commitment to working...