Results 181-200 of 939 for speaker:Noel Treacy

Seanad: Lifelong Education. (23 Mar 2005)

Noel Treacy: It is the generosity of the Government.

Seanad: Lifelong Education. (23 Mar 2005)

Noel Treacy: The Senator will see a 7.2% increase in one area, a 7.3% increase in another and an 8% increase in another. The Senator may rest assured that while the talks continue, the action will take place. We are totally committed to further education and to life-long learning. The Senator has championed it in the past and we have supported it. Successive Ministers for Education and Science,...

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts. (23 Mar 2005)

Noel Treacy: I wish to make a statement to the House on the Government's views regarding the decision of the Chinese National People's Congress to pass an anti-secession law. Since 1971, when Ireland voted in favour of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, we have recognised the Government of the People's Republic of China, as the sole legitimate Government of China. Ireland, together with...

Seanad: Foreign Conflicts. (23 Mar 2005)

Noel Treacy: In response to Senator Mooney, I affirm that the Government is deeply concerned and interested in this situation. The matter is constantly on the EU agenda. Ireland and the EU are totally committed to the One China policy. We believe that constant dialogue, communication and negotiation will create the opportunity to ensure that this issue can be resolved in a peaceful and positive manner in...

Arms Trade. (28 Apr 2005)

Noel Treacy: The Government's position on the lifting of the EU arms embargo on arms sales to China is clear. We support the lifting of the embargo but do not wish to see any increase in the quantity or quality of arms exports to China. The arms embargo was first introduced in 1989 in reaction to the events of Tiananmen Square. There was no EU arms embargo against China before 1989. China today is a very...

Arms Trade. (28 Apr 2005)

Noel Treacy: I agree with much of what Deputy Allen said. We are aware of the situation. However, one must take China's population, the biggest population of any nationality in the world, into account. One takes the progress that has been made over the years and the European Union's attitude into account. Some progress has been made in China, although not as much as we would like. We are fully mindful of...

Arms Trade. (28 Apr 2005)

Noel Treacy: The code of conduct was introduced in 1998. Recent discussions within the European Union referred to the code of conduct in a very assertive manner in order to bring the associated responsibilities to the notice of all members states. Irrespective of whatever decision is taken, the code of conduct must be sustained and maintained and will always be operable.

United Nations Reform. (28 Apr 2005)

Noel Treacy: On behalf of all our colleagues and in particular those on my side of the House, I wish Deputy Michael Higgins a speedy recovery. We miss him from the Oireachtas. He has been a long-time friend and we hope he has a speedy return to full health as quickly as possible. I propose to take Questions Nos. 2, 3 and 5 together. Deputies will be aware that a central element of Ireland's foreign policy...

United Nations Reform. (28 Apr 2005)

Noel Treacy: The Government has not yet formulated a view on either of the models. We have taken into account the record of the UN so far, the evidence and information available to us within the diplomatic service and the links we have through our diplomatic team in the UN. We are also giving an opportunity to the Minister for Foreign Affairs as the UN envoy to garner the maximum amount of information....

United Nations Reform. (28 Apr 2005)

Noel Treacy: The situation is very similar to that in the EU where the Government tries to achieve consensus. The UN is a very powerful group that is very representative of the world. As Deputy Gormley noted, it will not be easy to achieve consensus with so many UN members and the two thirds requirement. As a result of the efforts and the very forthright report of the Secretary General, the fact that he...

United Nations Reform. (28 Apr 2005)

Noel Treacy: Regarding Germany's bid for a seat on the Security Council, Ireland would always be very positively disposed towards fellow EU members and would be guided by the attitude of the EU towards Germany's bid. We would have our own bilateral discussions with Germany. It is something that must be decided later. We have not formed any position so far. The Government is very committed to the triple...

United Nations Reform. (28 Apr 2005)

Noel Treacy: The Government is opposed to every type of terrorism in any part of the world and is at one with the European Union. Regarding the Minister for Foreign Affairs' position, he is an envoy of the UN Secretary General and it would be unfair were he to bring an individual member state's opinion to the tables of the other member states. He is there in a consultative position to garner the most...

United Nations Reform. (28 Apr 2005)

Noel Treacy: I do not have any information pertaining to the discussions with Javier Solana. The Minister will make the case asserted by the Secretary General of the UN and long held by Ireland that no reform of the UN is complete without Security Council reform. Member states must take a hard look at the models that have been proposed by the UN Secretary General's high level panel or at any variant that...

Inter-Country Adoptions. (28 Apr 2005)

Noel Treacy: I want to assure the House that, in all its actions over the past year, my Department's first priority has been the welfare of this young boy. We have continuously and actively engaged in efforts to find a suitable solution since we became aware of Tristan Dowse's situation. The Irish Embassy in Singapore, which is also accredited to Indonesia, was first informed about Tristan on 12 March...

Inter-Country Adoptions. (28 Apr 2005)

Noel Treacy: Deputy Allen did not listen to my answer. I have gone back as far as 2001 and I appreciate that parliamentary questions are wonderful instruments to elicit information.

Inter-Country Adoptions. (28 Apr 2005)

Noel Treacy: I referred back as far as 2001 in my answer in a structured, careful and legal manner pertaining to the child.

Inter-Country Adoptions. (28 Apr 2005)

Noel Treacy: We have acted in the most humane, honourable and professional manner in the best interests of this child. The Deputy asked a pertinent hypothetical question. This child is an Indonesian and an Irish citizen. He is currently domiciled in an orphanage in Indonesia. Our priority as a nation is to ensure the maintenance and protection of the child's welfare. We must take into account the...

EU Treaties. (28 Apr 2005)

Noel Treacy: Signature of the Treaty of Accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union took place in the margins of the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 25 April in Luxembourg. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and I signed the treaty on behalf of Ireland. Ireland warmly welcomes the prospective accession of our two new partners. We will open embassies in both countries later this...

EU Treaties. (28 Apr 2005)

Noel Treacy: As I said, these countries only the signed the Treaty of Accession at 6 p.m. last Monday and they attended their first meeting of European affairs ministers last Tuesday. No opportunity has presented itself to have any bilateral discussions with Bulgaria on this situation. However, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform said in the House in the past week that this investigation is...

EU Treaties. (28 Apr 2005)

Noel Treacy: Bulgaria and Romania have come through 35 chapters of European Union accreditation. That is very important. This situation only arose at Christmas. Based on that, it would be very unfair of Ireland to place an obstruction in the way of sovereign countries which want to join the European Union and which have met the necessary requirements and signed up to them. On that basis and given the work...