Results 8,461-8,480 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (5 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The number of applications received by the Passport Service in the first six months of 2011, (with comparisons to 2009 and 2010) are set out in the table below. The Passport Service does not maintain statistical data differentiating between first time and renewal applications. Accordingly, it is not possible to produce the data sought by the deputy in this regard. Month 2009 2010...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (5 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I share the Deputy's concern regarding continuing abuses of the rights of citizens in Zimbabwe. Violence, intimidation and ongoing arrests demonstrate a disregard of human rights. Lack of rule of law and accountable governance remain fundamental challenges. The hope of the Global Political Agreement, upon which the Government is based, was to permit Zimbabweans to live in peace and free from...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (5 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government is deeply concerned about the continued high level and gravity of human rights violations in Iran, including the mistreatment of democracy activists and other detainees in prisons in Iran. Issues of particular concern in relation to detainees include widespread torture and other ill-treatment in detention, coerced confessions, the failure to uphold detainees' right to legal...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (5 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The international community is following closely the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as the country recovers from the effects of the 1996-2003 civil war. Since the 2002 Sun City peace accords, progress has been made in establishing a democratic system of government in the DRC. However, while much of the country has achieved a degree of stability, several localised...

Written Answers — Ministerial Meetings: Ministerial Meetings (5 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I chaired a formal meeting of the Management Committee of my Department on April 8th and I would intend to convene the next such meeting in September. In the meantime, I meet with the officials on the Management Committee, either individually or in groups, on an almost daily basis. The Management Committee also meets regularly under the chairmanship of the Secretary-General to deal with...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (5 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: There are no State Agencies or Sub-Agencies operating under the aegis of my Department. My Department did not make any rent related payments in respect of the advisory committees/bodies listed which operate under the aegis of my Department. The Board of the Ireland-United States Commission for Educational Exchange (Fulbright Commission) enjoys autonomy of management and administration, in...

Written Answers — Ministerial Meetings: Ministerial Meetings (5 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 113 together. The Government is determined to restore Ireland's standing as a respected and influential member of the European Union. To this end the Government is engaging at senior levels with fellow EU Member States. We are making clear the economic and financial realities confronting us and the steps which we have taken to get the public...

Written Answers — State Visits: State Visits (5 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I refer to the Deputy to my reply of 16th June on this matter. The updated costs accruing to my Department from the State visit of Queen Elizabeth II is €220,895.02 and the visit by President Obama is €56,978.03. These costs relate to expenditure on transport, overnight accommodation costs for staff, official entertainment and catering, I.T. and administrative costs as well as overtime...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (5 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: There are no State Agencies operating under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. There are four bodies operating under the aegis of my Department. These are: the Ireland - United States Commission for Educational Exchange (the Fulbright Commission); the Development Education Advisory Committee; the Irish Aid Expert Advisory Group; and the Emigrant Services Advisory...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representations: Diplomatic Representations (6 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No 58 on 29 June on this subject, which was as follows: "This week marks five years since Sergeant Gilad Shalit was kidnapped from Israel by Palestinian militants. His continued captivity is a deplorable situation for the soldier and his family. The Red Cross has been refused access to him, his family cannot send letters to him, and they have...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (6 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 65 together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to questions 60 and 71 answered on 21st June 2011, the reply of which is below. The Deputy should be aware that the Prime Minister of Bahrain did not attend the graduation ceremony. I think that it is important to distinguish between the involvement of the Royal College of Surgeons in the training of...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (6 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: My Department has had ongoing contacts with the RCSI in recent weeks in relation to the situation in Bahrain. Senior officials have met with RCSI Chief Executive, Professor Cathal Kelly, to discuss the matter and I will meet with representatives of the RCSI next week to discuss the situation further. As I have already stated in replies to previous questions, I think it is important to...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (6 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 to 70, inclusive, together. On 30 June, the intending Irish participants in the Gaza flotilla announced that their vessel, the MV Saoirse, had incurred damage to its propeller shaft which would prevent it from taking part in the flotilla. They made clear their view that the boat had been subject to sabotage while in port and posted details and images of...

Order of Business (7 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: It is proposed to take No. 9, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Harbours Acts 1996 to 2009 (Transfer of Functions of Dundalk Port Company) Order 2011, back from committee; No. 9a, motion re referral to joint committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on mutual recognition of protection measures in civil...

Order of Business (7 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: On the reform of the HSE, the Minister for Health has moved very quickly to replace the board. He is proceeding with the reforms that are required. If legislation is required to underpin that, it will be brought forward in due course.

Order of Business (7 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: There is quite a long list of legislation which will be presented in the health area. The heads of the health information Bill, to which Deputy Ó Caoláin referred, were approved by the Government some time ago and it is expected it will be published later this year. The health (miscellaneous provisions) Bill is also due this year. The health and social care professionals Bill is due in...

Order of Business (7 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The commitments on universal health insurance in the programme for Government are being progressed. There is a commitment to a health insurance (miscellaneous provisions) Bill, which will be published later this year.

EC-Serbia Stabilisation Agreement: Referral to Select Committee (7 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I move: That the proposal that Dáil Éireann approves the terms of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Serbia, of the other part, signed at Luxembourg on 29th April, 2008, which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 15th January, 2009, be referred to the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and...

Written Answers — Trade Missions: Trade Missions (12 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy will be aware, from my answers to his Parliamentary Question no. 105 on 5 July 2011 and Parliamentary Question no. 72 on 28 June 2011, the Export Trade Council, which will be established shortly and which I will chair, will consider the overall programme of trade missions. It will also monitor implementation of the Government's Trade Strategy under which Japan and China have...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (12 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I am pleased to confirm to the Deputy that a passport was posted to the applicant on 06 July.