Taoiseach's Press Releases 1998
The Taoiseach warmly welcomes today's statement by Mr. Gerry Adams, the President of Sinn Féin. The statement represents a further positive contribution by Sinn Féin in to the building of confidence and trust, and marks an important advance in the consolidation of the Good Friday Agreement.
The Irish Government extends their deepest sympathy to the family of the officer, who was protecting the rights of the people of Portadown by upholding the rule of law. Those involved in and responsible for the rioting and attacks on the police that led to this death, coming on top of the deaths of the three Quinn children should hang their heads in shame.
Commencing on Monday, the Taoiseach will spend over two days in Beijing where he will meet with President Jiang Zemin and Premier Zhu Rongji and address the prestigious Foreign Affairs College. It is expected that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Mary Robinson, will meet the Taoiseach during his stay in Beijing.
The Government are determined to achieve from now a complete and permanent end to all paramilitary violence on this island, using as necessary both the existing and recently passed legislation. We want to create the best possible climate for the implementation of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement that was massively endorsed by the people of Ireland.
An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, T.D., and US President Bill Clinton today signed a joint US-Ireland Communiqué on Electronic Commerce at a ceremony at the Gateway facility in Dublin. The Communiqué sets down common principles which the two Government intend will underlie the development of electronic commerce into the future
The time has come to adopt a more pro-active and precautionary approach to road safety in Ireland. The requirements of efficient transport and the convenience of our social lives cannot be allowed to dominate road safety policy, as to some extent they have done in the past. We need to relate road safety to wider issues of health and security, so that the various restrictions and disciplines imposed by road traffic regulations are seen as contributing positively to a safer Irish society
Following receipt of a report from the Top Level Appointments Committee, the Taoiseach has today appointed Ms. Josephine Feehily as a Revenue Commissioner, to fill the vacancy on the Board of the Revenue Commissioners.
The Taoiseach's visit to France is a continuation of his programme of consultations with the leaders of other Member States on a range of European Union issues in preparation for the detailed negotiations on Agenda 2000.
The Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern, T.D., met with South African President Nelson Mandela following the conclusion of the European Council in Cardiff today, (Tuesday, 16 June 1998). This was the first time that the two men have met and the Taoiseach invited President Mandela to visit Ireland in the near future.
By building around him a team of committed professionals, by focusing on new developments which would create a network of quality jobs, and by working closely with successive Governments in implementing far-sighted policies, Kieran has proved himself to be an excellent Chief Executive, an innovative strategist and a superb administrator.