Results 781-800 of 6,675 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The crisis in Syria dominated discussions at the UN General Assembly last week which I attended and formed one of the principal themes in my address to the General Assembly on 28 September.I have consistently argued that the UN and the Security Council must be central to any efforts to resolve this crisis and ensure that international law and basic human rights are upheld. Despite the long...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Conflict Resolution (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Despite progress on the political and security fronts in Somalia over the past year, the recent tragic events in Kenya underline the complexity of the challenges facing the people and Governments of the Horn of Africa region. I visited the area in July 2012 to see at first hand the situation on the ground, and I have worked to ensure that it remains high on the EU and UN agendas. Current...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Membership Issues (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: We and other member states are actively monitoring the issue on an ongoing basis, and continue to discuss it with our UK colleagues. I believe the UK's interests are best served by remaining an influential member of the EU. The EU as a whole is better and stronger with the UK in it. It is also in Ireland's interests that the UK remains a fully committed member. While we disagree on some...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Colombian Peace Process (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I strongly support the Colombian peace process and hope that ongoing negotiations will bring an end to the long conflict there which has caused much suffering.I welcome progress made to date including the agreement reached last May on the land reform element of the peace negotiations. The timetable for the talks is a matter for the parties involved and I wish them success in reaching...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: This is an issue I treat with the very highest priority. During my visit to the US last week, I spoke with several key contacts in the US Congress including leading members of the House Judiciary Committee, Minority House Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Chair of the Congressional Friends of Ireland, Pete King. I also met with representatives of Irish community groups as well as some community...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The commencement of direct talks between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators at the end of July, based on the extensive work and commitment of US Secretary of State Kerry, is an important achievement. Secretary Kerry briefed myself and EU colleagues on progress to date during the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Vilnius on 7 September. The process is at an early stage, and we are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Data (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 94 together. As the Deputy is aware, the Government Trade Tourism and Investment Strategy (hereafter referred to as “the Strategy”) identifies 27 priority markets, including those with the best prospects for increased trade. Local market teams headed by our Ambassadors are in place in these markets and their work is overseen by the high...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consultancy Contracts Expenditure (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I wish to confirm that no such consultants have been contracted by my Department in 2013.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: North-South Implementation Bodies (1 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I am informed by my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, that formal engagement takes place between the County and City Managers’ Association (CCMA) and their counterparts in Northern Ireland through SOLACE. Managers in border counties also liaise with their counterparts in neighbouring counties in Northern Ireland. A formal arrangement exists...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Languages Act 2003 Compliance (1 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I am satisfied that all new signage erected in buildings occupied by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is compliant with the terms of Regulations (SI 391 of 2008) made under para 9(1) of the Official Languages Act. The Department conducts routine internal inspections of its buildings, in the course of which any issues arising in relation to existing signage are addressed and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Process (1 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Specific provisions of Acts under my Department that have not yet been commenced are Sections 14(8) and 14(9) of the Passports Act 2008 and paragraph (iv) of section 1 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 2012.Sections 14(8) and 14(9) of the Passports Act would provide, if commenced, that guardians’ consent, to the issuing of a passport would be considered to be enduring for the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Directives (1 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has no EU Directives awaiting transposition. Responsibility for transposing EU measures into Irish law rests with individual Departments with responsibility for the relevant policy area. I would draw the Deputy’s attention to our much improved record in the transposition of EU Directives. Ireland achieved a zero% transposition deficit score...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (1 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Last month the individual in question made direct contact with the Passport Service in regard to the gender value in the passport which was issued to her in February, 2011. The circumstances of her complaint have been investigated. The following facts were established: (i) the individual in question declared on her application form that her gender was male; (ii) the individual's error...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Inter-Country Adoptions (1 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I understand the Deputy is referring to changes introduced in July this year to the adoption legislation in the Russian Federation. I am aware of the serious implications which now arise for several prospective adoptive parents who believed that they were at an advanced stage in the adoptions process. I can confirm that the Irish Embassy in Moscow approached the relevant Russian authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Issues (1 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table: Mission Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Officers posted from HQ Locally engaged (including agency) administrative, clerical and other support staff Abu Dhabi 1 Assistant Secretary 1 Third Secretary 4 Abuja 1 Counsellor 1 Third Secretary 5 Addis Ababa 1 Counsellor 2 Development Specialist 1 Higher...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Prisoner Welfare (1 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers and my officials monitor this and other cases very closely. The individual referred to is a convicted prisoner who was released by the British authorities under licence in 1992. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland revoked that licence in April 2010 and the individual has as a result been in custody for over three further years. In...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency Expenditure (1 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 167 together. In the European Year of Citizens, we felt it important to keep Irish citizens informed on the developments of the Irish Presidency through a modest and cost-efficient information campaign. An information feature was published in the Metro Herald on 9 January. Coinciding with the visit of the College of the European Commission to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (1 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 to 171, inclusive, together. I spoke with the EU High Representative Cathy Ashton on Wednesday 28 August about the gas attacks in Syria on 21 August 2013. Syria was among the principal topics discussed at the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers which I attended in Vilnius on 7 September and where we were briefed on the US perspective by Secretary...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (1 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 to 175, inclusive, together. The Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Mr. Angel Gurría, visited Dublin on 12 September. Mr. Gurría used the opportunity of his visit to launch the OECD’s Economic Survey of Ireland, a biennial assessment of this country’s economic performance and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency Issues (1 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: While the European Council did not hold any specific discussions on the principle of subsidiarity during 2013, the December 2012 European Council concluded, in the context of President Van Rompuy's report on the completion of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), that the “general objective remains to ensure democratic legitimacy and accountability at the level at which decisions are...