Results 8,321-8,340 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Human Rights Issues (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: What we and our colleagues in the European Union are insisting on is that the blockade on Gaza be lifted. It is both the Irish Government's and the European Union's view that the blockade of Gaza is unacceptable and counter productive and we have repeatedly called for the unconditional opening of the crossing points to normal movement. Indeed, the Foreign Affairs Council of the European...

Human Rights Issues (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I will repeat the travel advice the Department has issued in respect of Gaza. The advice states clearly that we advise against all travel to the Gaza Strip, including the waters off Gaza and goes on to explain the reasons for that. I wish to be very clear that I do not want anything I say to convey in any way the view or impression that the State lends its support to this flotilla. We...

Human Rights Issues (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I can, perhaps, arrange for officials of my Department to meet them. With regard what the European Union is doing about Israel, it is clear the blockade on Gaza should be lifted. We must get moving on the talks between Israel and Palestine, which have been stalled for a long period. I was encouraged by what President Obama said in his speech a few days before his arrival in Ireland. When...

Foreign Conflicts (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 15 and 42 together. The Government welcomed the adoption by the United Nations Security Council of Resolution 1973 which demanded the immediate establishment of a ceasefire in Libya as well as a complete end to violence and attacks against civilians. Resolution 1973 authorised the establishment of a no-fly zone over Libya as well as "all necessary"...

Foreign Conflicts (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Having seen what has happened since the early part of the year in Libya and in particular at how citizens in Misrata have been attacked by the Gadaffi forces and taking into consideration the difficulties that were encountered with evacuating people from Misrata - to which operation Ireland made a significant financial contribution - nobody can be in any doubt about the way in which the...

Foreign Conflicts (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Along with the Deputy, I welcome the sanctions being imposed on Syria, which has been done at United Nations level and at European Union level. At the most recent Foreign Affairs Council, attended by the Minister of State, Deputy Creighton, agreement was reached on those sanctions. In Libya there had been an earlier resolution, Resolution 1970, which essentially imposed sanctions. The...

Foreign Conflicts (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The international community must respond to an issue such as this one in Libya and it must be through the United Nations. This is why this was done by way of a United Nations Security Council resolution, which we support. It needs to be backed up by political and diplomatic work, which is why Ireland supports the work of the special envoy to explore what progress can be made in getting a...

Foreign Conflicts (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Saharawi refugees arrived in Algeria in 1975 and 1976 following the escalation of the conflict over Western Sahara. The majority of these are sheltered in camps in the south-western desert province of Tindouf, where the Algerian authorities estimate the current number of refugees at some 165,000. A significant part of the Saharawi population also continues to live in Western Sahara, and...

Diplomatic Representation (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 38 together. Decisions relating to the size and scale of the Irish diplomatic network are matters for consideration by the Government. The scale and presence of the Irish diplomatic network is being considered, along with all aspects of my Department's operations, as part of the Government's comprehensive review of expenditure. Given the current...

Diplomatic Representation (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: In normal circumstances and if we had the resources, I believe we would be establishing a resident embassy in Indonesia but we are working in the current circumstances within very severe financial constraints and we have to make the most of what we have. We are in any event examining our total diplomatic and embassy network in the context of the comprehensive spending review. We may make...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: In June 2010, the European Union Working Party on Human Rights (COHOM) adopted a 'Toolkit to Promote and Protect the Enjoyment of all Human Rights by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) People'. Ireland fully participated in the elaboration of this comprehensive toolkit which guides the work of all European Union (EU) diplomats, including Irish, in overseas missions. Ireland is a...

Written Answers — Trade Promotion: Trade Promotion (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government is focused on achieving maximum growth in exports, including through the development of new markets, and has committed to progressively implementing the recommendations in the Strategy and Action Plan for Irish Trade, Tourism and Investment to 2015. Ireland's network of Embassies and Consulates continues to work to restore Ireland's international reputation and support export...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Emigrant Support Programme, administered by my Department, provides funding to non-profit organisations and projects to support Irish communities overseas and to facilitate the development of more strategic links between Ireland and the global Irish. The strong emphasis of the Programme is on supporting culturally sensitive, frontline welfare services, which are targeted at the most...

Written Answers — Trade Delegations: Trade Delegations (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: On 11 and 12 March I visited Budapest to attend an informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers. I visited New York for St. Patrick's Day events before travelling on to Washington D.C. for a bilateral meeting with the United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. In New York I addressed the Ireland–US Council and met with U.S. based Irish business networks. I also attended a Bank of...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 23 and 33 together. I am very concerned about the reports of detention, torture, intimidation and trials of medical professionals in Bahrain, some of whom are Irish-trained, for simply meeting their professional and ethical obligation to attend to those seriously injured in the recent violent clampdown against peaceful protestors. I understand that 47...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I am considering the question of Ireland's ratification of the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Agreement and will discuss the matter with my Government colleagues in the normal manner before proceeding. As regards an invitation to Mr Brammertz to address members of the Dáil, such an invitation would be a matter for the House. The EU's Stabilisation and Association Process...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: While I have not had discussions regarding the Basque Country , I would of course be supportive of any development that could contribute to the permanent ending of violence by ETA and lead to peace in the Basque Country. I would be guided in the first instance in this by the assessment of the Spanish authorities. The Spanish Government continues to underline the necessity for ETA to abandon...

Written Answers — Irish Communities Abroad: Irish Communities Abroad (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 27, 31, 37 and 45 together. Addressing the situation of the undocumented Irish and reforming our migration arrangements with the United States are important priorities for the Government in its relationship with the US Administration and Congress. The Taoiseach and I discussed the question of Irish immigration with President Obama when we met with him on...

Written Answers — Military Neutrality: Military Neutrality (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: There has been no change in Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality, which has been pursued by successive Governments, and which is characterised by non-participation in military alliances. Ireland has made overflight and landing facilities at Shannon Airport available to the United States for well over 50 years. There is no incompatibility between these arrangements and our...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 35 together. Over thirty years ago, Ireland was the first EU Member State to declare that the resolution of the Palestinian issue must involve the establishment of a Palestinian state. That is now the policy of the EU and of the international community. I share the commitment of successive Irish Governments to this policy and will continue to work,...