Results 8,141-8,160 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Foreign Conflicts (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The concerns that Ireland and other EU member states have expressed about the situation in Bahrain have clout for the reasons that have been mentioned. As I have said, this matter was discussed at the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in April. I expect it will be discussed again at the next meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council. If there is no response to the calls that have been...

EU Enlargement (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland is supportive of Turkey's candidacy for EU membership and its accession when it fulfils all the established criteria and conditions of membership. Our overall approach to EU enlargement is positive. The broadening of the Union helps to promote stability, security and prosperity across the Continent. In some cases, the process of preparing for membership can stimulate and bolster...

EU Enlargement (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: For the reasons I have mentioned, Ireland clearly supports Turkey's application for membership of the EU. The question of Turkey's accession to the Union will depend on its ability to meet the conditions for accession to membership. As Deputy Ó Fearghaíl is aware, such conditions relate inter alia to politics, human rights and compliance with international agreements. The process of...

EU Enlargement (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: As I have said, the Irish position and the Government's position on Turkey's candidacy is that we support it. Certain conditions have to be met before any country can accede to the EU. Those conditions have to be fully met, clearly, as there cannot be a kind of partial meeting of the conditions. The process by which they are negotiated is at an early stage.

Foreign Conflicts (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I have not yet made plans to visit Israel, Palestine or Gaza, but I intend to see the conditions there for myself in due course. Ireland has been active on this issue. I will continue to work to maintain a focus on it at EU level. There are three broad areas of concern with regard to Gaza, the first of which is the ongoing Israeli blockade. This has eased a little since last year, with...

Foreign Conflicts (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: As I stated, it is my intention to visit the region as soon as I can arrange a visit in my timetable to see the situation on the ground. The matter is very much a priority for the Government's approach to foreign affairs and foreign policy. I have made clear to my colleagues at the European Union Foreign Affairs Council that Ireland wishes this issue to be pursued more actively and wants...

Foreign Conflicts (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The State is absolutely opposed to Israel's use of aerial weapons in attacks on Gaza. These inevitably lead, as they have done, to uninvolved civilians being injured or killed. We have also been critical of Israel for not taking political initiatives to try to end the cycle of violence by reaching a comprehensive peace. We must recognise, however, that firing is taking place in both...

Humanitarian Aid (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland's long-standing concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza is well known. As I stated in my reply to the priority question on Gaza, the slight relaxation of the terms of the blockade in the last year has been completely insufficient. Along with our EU partners, we are continuing to press for a full opening up of the border crossings into Gaza to allow unimpeded flows of...

Humanitarian Aid (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: My Department has a responsibility to provide travel advice to Irish citizens irrespective of where they are travelling. If somebody wants to travel somewhere, the Department of Foreign Affairs provides a service whereby travel advice is provided as to whether it is safe to travel. I want to make it absolutely clear that the Department's travel advice in respect of the proposed flotilla to...

Humanitarian Aid (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: As I said in response to an earlier question, this issue is very much a priority for me and for the Government. I made clear at the European Union Foreign Affairs Council on 12 April that the Government and I want to see this issue addressed by the council. Our view is that the blockade should not exist, that the situation in Gaza is absolutely intolerable, and that there is a necessity to...

EU Accession (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Iceland applied for EU membership in 2009 and accession negotiations were formally opened in July 2010. In its most recent annual progress report on Iceland, published last November, the Commission stated that the overall level of Iceland's preparedness to meet EU legislative requirements is good. Through its existing membership of the European Economic Area and the Schengen Area Iceland is...

EU Accession (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The collapse of Iceland's private banking sector in October 2008 developed into a diplomatic dispute when the United Kingdom and the Netherlands insisted that Iceland guarantee bank deposits of their citizens held in the collapsed Icelandic bank Icesave. Both Governments provided loans to facilitate this guarantee and the dispute has since centred on the terms for repayment. The Icesave...

EU Accession (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland's situation is quite different from that of Iceland which concerns a bilateral dispute between Iceland and the United Kingdom and Netherlands regarding the loss of private depositor funds guaranteed under EFTA rules and whether Iceland should recover such losses. Iceland's referendum concerned this issue specifically and was not linked to the programme of support which the Icelandic...

Human Rights Issues (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Sanctions against Burma were renewed for a further 12 months at the April session of the Foreign Affairs Council. Ireland was to the fore in the preparation of this decision, arguing for the extension of restrictive measures by the European Union. In taking this decision, Ministers were very much aware of the views of Aung San Suu Kyi. By renewing sanctions, the European Union has...

Human Rights Issues (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: As part of the effort to engage constructively with the new Burmese Government, Ministers agreed to lift the prohibition on high-level visits to Burma. However, it was agreed that any such visits must be carefully co-ordinated in Brussels with defined terms of reference. Delegations visiting Burma must also be allowed to meet Burmese opposition and civil society leaders, including Aung Sang...

Human Rights Issues (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: This particular question pertains to Burma and the question asked was whether it was my view that sanctions might be lifted by the European Union in respect of Burma. My reply was that sanctions have been renewed against Burma. A small exception or derogation has been made regarding the sanctions that apply to visas, travel restrictions and so on in respect of the Burmese Foreign Minister...

Human Rights Issues (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: There are no double standards.

International Agreements (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The recommendation referred to by the Deputy is one of a number of submissions received by my Department relating to the development of a national action plan, NAP, on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. As stated in my earlier reply to Question No. 2, the resolution calls for an increase in the participation of women in peacemaking and peace...

International Agreements (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: We are considering these issues in the context of finalising the national action plan. As I indicated in my response to another question, we must strike a balance between our aspirations in the national action plan and what is practically feasible. The issues we are considering are the practical implications of the plan's implementation. I sought for and received the opinions of various...

International Agreements (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I agree there should not be caveats. For this reason, I am taking care to ensure that the way in which we advance the national action plan in terms of the resolution can be honoured. I agree with the Deputy that we should not make commitments if we believe we will not be in a position to fulfil them, as that would undermine our standing internationally. I am taking some care to ensure the...