Results 8,161-8,180 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Overseas Missions (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland was not represented either at ministerial or official level at the meeting of NATO foreign Ministers in Berlin on 14 April. Apart from this meeting, there were meetings of the NATO-Georgia Commission, the NATO-Russia Council, the NATO-Ukraine Council, the countries taking part in the NATO-led operation in Libya and the countries contributing to the International Security Assistance...

Overseas Missions (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Deputy misunderstands Ireland's participation in ISAF. The force has a UN mandate, one that has been renewed annually since 2001. The current mandate was extended until 13 October 2011 by Resolution 1943 and enjoys the support of the 48 participating ISAF countries. ISAF's goal is to help restore security in Afghanistan, which is crucial if normal life is to be restored for people who...

Written Answers — Military Neutrality: Military Neutrality (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government's approach to European security will be in full conformity with the European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), as set out in the Lisbon Treaty. The CSDP, which is an integral part of the Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy, provides the Union with an operational capacity to undertake civilian and military missions outside the EU for peace-keeping,...

Written Answers — Control of Exports: Control of Exports (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: No change is planned to the responsibility for the regulation of the licensing and monitoring of exports and brokering of military and dual-use goods from Ireland under the Control of Exports Act 2008 which will remain with the current Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation. Responsibility for publishing annual reports under the Control of Exports Act 2008 comes under the remit of my...

Written Answers — Programmes for Government: Programmes for Government (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The importance of promoting the rights of citizens is clearly highlighted in the Government's Statement of Common Purpose, which gives an undertaking to ensure that every one of our citizens has an effective right, free from discrimination, to contribute to the economic, social and cultural life of the nation. Our goal is that Ireland will be recognised as a modern, fair, socially inclusive...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 19 together. The report of the UN Fact Finding Mission into the Gaza conflict, or the Goldstone Report, was published in September 2009 and was widely welcomed as a serious and authoritative investigation of events during that conflict, and an attempt to bring greater accountability for this conflict. The Report has again been the subject of public...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government supports the right to self-determination of the people of the Western Sahara. Ireland has not taken a position on the future status of the territory, so long as that status is decided in a genuine exercise of self-determination. At present, the Western Sahara is a non-self governing territory. Under international law, the economic resources of a non-self governing territory...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy will be aware, the political and military situation in Cote d'Ivoire, which had been creating increasing violence and instability in that country since the elections on 28 November 2010, came to a head ten days ago. Former President Laurent Gbagbo, who had refused to accept the UN-certified elections result, was captured on 11 April and is now being held in a secure location...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I am deeply concerned at the substantial deterioration in the human rights situation in Iran, from what was an already very poor level, since the disputed Presidential election in June 2009. I am particularly disturbed by the continuing high rate of executions in Iran. It is appalling that the Iranian government uses death sentences and executions as political tools to create a climate of...

Written Answers — Programmes for Government: Programmes for Government (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy will be aware, a key focus for my Department in the coming months will be on rebuilding Ireland's international reputation and leading on the international aspects of our economic recovery. The Department, through the Embassy network, has an important contribution to make in this regard, working closely with other Departments and the State Agencies. The United Nations remains...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Initiatives: Diplomatic Initiatives (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 26 and 31 together. Contacts with fellow member States of the European Union are part of the ongoing work of my Department. These are conducted in Brussels, by our embassies in the capitals of the EU countries and in interaction with the relevant embassies in Dublin. These contacts cover the whole range of EU agenda items; naturally, over the past couple...

Written Answers — Military Neutrality: Military Neutrality (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government is fully committed to protecting Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality, characterised by non-participation in military alliances. Over the years, this policy and the value it encompasses have helped to define Ireland's place in the world and our approach to international relations. Successive Governments have not seen the tradition of military neutrality as...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances issued in May 2009 a letter containing general allegations pertaining to Ireland. A detailed response to these allegations was sent to the Working Group in a letter of 15 January 2010 on behalf of the Government. This represented the Government's substantive response to the issues raised by the latter. The Government's response...

Written Answers — International Relations: International Relations (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: While Ireland and our European Union partners consider the United States' foreign policy toward Cuba to be a bilateral issue, the European Union has clearly expressed the opposition of its Member States to all unilateral measures against Cuba which are contrary to commonly accepted rules of international law. Ireland, in common with our partners in the European Union, is of the view that the...

Written Answers — International Organisations: International Organisations (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: As Minister for Foreign Affairs, I will hold the position of Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE for the duration of Ireland's Chairmanship of the organisation in 2012. I will bear overall responsibility for the executive action of the OSCE next year and the co-ordination of its activities. Officials in my Department have been actively engaged since the autumn in preparations for our...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The establishment and expansion of the Israeli settlements in the West Bank is a breach of international law. This process represents an inherent injustice and humiliation for Palestinians. The existence of the settlements also necessitates a network of checkpoints and movement restrictions which are an oppressive daily reality for Palestinians. More broadly, the settlements also...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I refer the Deputy to my answer to Question 16 answered on 22 March, which was as follows. A number of countries, principally in Latin America and including Brazil, Argentina and Chile, have recently decided to recognise a Palestinian state. This is in addition to those states – mostly in Africa or in the Islamic world – who have recognised Palestine for many years. Over thirty years ago,...

Written Answers — North-South Co-operation: North-South Co-operation (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government attaches high priority to the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the St Andrew's Agreement. As set out in the programme for government, we want to move forward with the completion of the review of North South Implementation bodies, to identify new areas for co-operation and to accelerate the process of recovery and creation of jobs on the island. The...

Written Answers — Certificates of Irish Heritage: Certificates of Irish Heritage (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Certificate of Irish Heritage is in the process of being established by my Department in direct response to a strong demand for such a scheme from those members of our Diaspora who are not entitled to Irish citizenship. I believe that the scheme will provide a practical demonstration of the inclusive approach adopted by successive Governments to our Diaspora. The Certificate of Irish...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The decision to re-introduce fees for citizens aged 65 or over was taken by the previous Government. The measure, which was announced in the Budget last December, took effect from 11 April 2011, which was the date set out in Statutory Instrument 47/2011 signed by the then Taoiseach and acting Minister for Foreign Affairs on 3 February 2011. Based on an estimated figure of 30,000...