Results 21-40 of 7,278 for speaker:Dick Roche

Foreign Conflicts (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: Deputy Higgins's connections are ingenious. The Garda Síochána has the power in law to carry out those extensions where there is reason to believe that an offence has been committed. That mechanism has not been triggered.

Middle East Peace Process (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 16 and 44 together. The questions cover a range of issues. Ireland and the European Union regard all Israeli settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territories as illegal. The partial freeze on new settlement construction in 2010 was, nonetheless, an important element in creating the atmosphere to allow substantive political negotiations between...

Middle East Peace Process (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: There are several aspects to the issue of children. Most of us accept that violence against children, from whatever source, is simply unacceptable.

Middle East Peace Process (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: I do not suggest the Deputy has done anything otherwise He has been altogether even-handed in this regard. As I stated at the end of my last contribution, the cause of peace is not served by violence, regardless of its source. The Deputy will be aware of an additional point. Issues relating to criminality or criminal responsibility arise with regard to the manner in which children from...

Middle East Peace Process (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: Yes. The making of a Palestinian child criminally responsible at the age of 16 years is simply unacceptable when an Israeli child is deemed not to be criminally responsible until he or she is 18 years. This is clearly discriminatory and a breach of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. I urge the Israeli authorities to accept immediately the recommendation made. I am also...

EU Free Trade Agreements (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: EU relations with Colombia are conducted in the framework of regional relations between the EU and the Andean Community, comprising Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. In 2007, negotiations aimed at concluding a comprehensive association agreement between the EU and the Andean Community were formally launched. Such agreements cover all facets of relations between the EU and these...

EU Free Trade Agreements (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: At the outset, Deputy Higgins made the point that he was not satisfied with the answers he received during his visit. This disturbs me because I am aware that the High Representative would be concerned about that. I will draw that particular aspect of the Deputy's observation to the High Representative's attention. I accept the point made by the Deputy, particularly regarding the human...

EU Free Trade Agreements (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: I do not dispute that for a moment and accept the Deputy's point. Monitoring is carried out through its delegation in Bogota and this is the reason I was disturbed by the Deputy's initial comment. In addition, it must be noted that the European Union has engaged actively both with the Colombian authorities and with the United Nations Human Rights Council on the issue. I will pass on the...

International Fund for Ireland (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: The International Fund for Ireland is an international organisation established by the Irish and British Governments in 1986 to promote economic and social advance and to encourage contact, dialogue and reconciliation between Nationalists and Unionists throughout Northern Ireland. Since 1986, the fund has received international contributions from the United States, the European Union,...

International Fund for Ireland (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: I am aware of the debate in the US. As the Deputy is aware, there are issues regarding the budget in the US Congress. Some on the Republican side take a particular view. There has been no approach from the US authorities on winding up the fund. It may be the view of some in Congress that it should be wound up. I am aware of the article the Deputy mentioned. Some comments were made by a...

International Fund for Ireland (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: I agree. We have had ongoing contact. The US authorities have not given any indication that they will end the fund. The Deputy will be aware that the budget discussions on Capitol Hill will continue until the end of March. Given the announcement made by the Taoiseach today, there will be a significant Irish presence, from whatever side of the House, in place on 17 March. I have no doubt...

Human Rights Issues (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: The issue of extraordinary rendition has been raised on numerous occasions in this House. As has been made repeatedly clear, the Government is completely opposed to the practice of the extraordinary rendition of prisoners. Immediately following the first reports suggesting that the US was practising extraordinary rendition, the Government demanded and received specific assurances from the...

Human Rights Issues (20 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: There is a certain irony in any Member of the House putting on the record categoric criticisms of successive US Administrations on this issue and depending on a political response on the basis of a document, the provenance of which is probably questionable, from WikiLeaks. We can have it one way or the other. We can either accept the assurances, which are categoric and on the record, from...

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts (19 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: I thank Senators Walsh and Norris for their contributions on this issue. There is doubt that there has been a growth across the world in religious intolerance, not only Christianophobia but also Islamophobia and anti-Semitism. It is intolerable at this stage of human development that such growth should occur. The Christmas Eve bombings in Jos, Nigeria, which claimed 80 lives, are widely...

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts (19 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: None of us referred to another minority faith which is suffering oppression, namely, members of the Baha'i religion. I have spoken to representatives of the Baha'i faith in this country and I am concerned about their case. Its omission from this discussion was not intentional.

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts (19 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: It is regrettable that intolerance is growing around the world. All civilised nations should make every effort to ensure it does not raise its ugly head again.

Seanad: Mental Health Services (19 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. It is important to bear in mind that A Vision for Change is a work in progress over a period of seven to ten years. Given the current financial constraints, the maximum reduction in funding for the entire sector has been capped at 1.8%, relatively lower than in other areas. It is a dangerous delusion for anyone in this or the other House to...

Seanad: Mental Health Services (19 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: I should have said that the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, asked me to mention in particular that he regretted he could not be here because he has been detained in the other House. Unfortunately, had we known about the change of time, he might have been able to be here. He is deeply concerned about this matter. I will convey to him the Senator's concern about services in Cork.

Seanad: Air Services (19 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: I fully appreciate the Senator's passion and concern about this matter. I was checking some details in the reply provided by the Department. The Minister for Transport assures me he fully appreciates the concerns raised in regard to the recent the decision that has been made on the PSO route. The decision involved the Government's agreement to support the continuation of a PSO route...

Seanad: Air Services (19 Jan 2011)

Dick Roche: Alternatively, they can journey by road where road improvements on the N2 have reduced travel times significantly. In the context of the St. Andrews Agreement leading to the restoration of the Northern Executive in 2007, the Irish Government made a commitment to provide funding of sterling £400 million. This will contribute to a roads investment programme for Northern Ireland which includes...