Results 8,481-8,500 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

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

Eamon Gilmore: The number of applications received so far this year shows an increase in demand of 12% in comparison to this time in 2009. The figures for 2010 are not a reliable comparison due to the impact of last year's industrial action. Whereas the exact reason for this increase in demand is unclear it is noticeable that passport applications for children and passports for the over 65s have been...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (12 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware that there have been media reports that surgical procedures were carried out on young girls to change their sex to male in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. I understand that the Indian National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, a statutory body, has demanded an investigation into the allegations and that the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh has ordered such an inquiry....

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (12 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 79 together. The Republic of South Sudan declared its independence on 9 July in accordance with the terms of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and the results of the self-determination referendum held on 9 January 2011. The EU was a witness signatory to the CPA and all EU Member States have agreed to recognise the Republic of South Sudan in...

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

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 81 together. Ireland has an excellent and long-standing relationship with Canada. Our trade links are particularly strong and growing. Canada is one of Ireland's top 20 trading partners with total trade over €1.5 billion. There is good potential for this to grow with Irish exports to Canada increasing by almost 30% in 2010. Canada has been...

Written Answers — Certificates of Irish Heritage: Certificates of Irish Heritage (12 Jul 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 — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (12 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: In my earlier reply to the Deputy, I stated that, if the authorities in Turkey concluded that the Saoirse had been sabotaged, I would regard this as a matter of serious concern. That remains my position. I also stated that a Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman had indicated that the Turkish authorities did not consider that sabotage had taken place. Our Embassy in Ankara had been in contact...

Written Answers — European Neighbourhood Policy: European Neighbourhood Policy (12 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The European Neighbourhood Policy provides an overarching framework for the EU's relations with a range of countries, some 16 in all, in its immediate proximity. These are partners with substantial interaction in various fields with the Union, and the potential for further developing this. The EU has a natural, strong interest in promoting stability and in the spread of its values in the...

Written Answers — EU Treaties: EU Treaties (12 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: In June 2009 the Heads of State or Government of the 27 Member States of the EU, meeting within the European Council, adopted a Decision on the concerns of the Irish people on the Treaty of Lisbon concerning the right to life, family and education; taxation; and security and defence. It was also declared that at the time of the conclusion of the next accession Treaty the provisions of the...

Written Answers — North-South Ministerial Council: North-South Ministerial Council (12 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The North South Ministerial Council meets in three formats: plenary, institutional, and sectoral. I have no plans to seek changes to the structure, format or frequency of NSMC meetings. The most recent meeting in plenary format was held on 10 June, and the next meeting in plenary format is scheduled for 18 November. Officials of my department are currently considering dates for the next...

Diplomatic Representation (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: During his two years as US Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland, Declan Kelly invested considerable time and energy in a range of initiatives to attract new investment to Northern Ireland and to develop relationships which I believe will continue to bear fruit in the years ahead. The successful Northern Ireland Economic Conference which took place in Washington last year is one example of the...

Diplomatic Representation (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: First, I have met with the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, on a number of occasions since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and there is no doubt about her commitment and support for the continuing peace process in Northern Ireland and for economic development in Northern Ireland. I also conveyed to her the appreciation of the work Declan Kelly did during his term as her...

Diplomatic Representation (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: There are two issues of which we must be respectful. The first is to be respectful of the position of the Northern Ireland Executive because this envoy was appointed to Northern Ireland. It was not an appointment to the island as a whole and therefore we must be first respectful of that. I have had a number of discussions with both the First Minister, the Deputy First Minister and the...

Foreign Conflicts (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 10 together. The continuing Israeli military occupation of the Palestinian territories is at the heart of the unresolved Arab-Israeli conflict. The issues which have been critical for Israel for most of its history – the existence of the state of Israel and its right to live in peace and security – have for many years been accepted in principle by...

Foreign Conflicts (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Deputy will agree that we must await to see how this works out. There is no proposal on the table at present. I had a very constructive meeting today with Dr. Nabeel Shaath and he set out for me his perspective on likely developments. First, there may be an application to the UN Security Council. Ireland is not a member of the council. The issue will arise at council level as to...

Foreign Conflicts (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I can state now Ireland is in favour of Palestine having its own state and that it wants to see that state living in peace with Israel. We want to see an agreed negotiated settlement of the entire conflict in the Middle East. My efforts on behalf of this country, which will be very much furthering a consistent policy followed by successive Governments over a long period, will be to help to...

Foreign Conflicts (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I have been to the West Bank and am familiar with the extent of the occupation and the way in which the settlements have developed. While we may speculate as to what will happen at the meeting of the Security Council if a resolution is presented thereto, none of us can say for certain at this point that there will be a veto. There are interventions that could occur between now and...

Foreign Conflicts (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I very much agree with this point of view. It is the approach that I am taking, and I encourage the European Union to take a more active role in this area. Given the political considerations that come into this question, particularly in the United States, there is scope for the European Union to have a far more proactive role. Again, we must bear in mind that various member states of the...

Human Rights Issues (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The human rights situation in North Korea has been described by the UN special rapporteur for North Korea as "abysmal". The general population of North Korea faces violent political and religious persecution, collective punishment, torture and arbitrary execution perpetrated by the North Korean authorities. In addition, citizens of North Korea are victims of chronic food shortages and...

Human Rights Issues (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I concur with the sentiments expressed by Deputy Mac Lochlainn. North Korea is one of the most repressive regimes in the world. It denies even the most basic of human rights to its citizens. Services such as health care and education appear to be allocated according to loyalty to the regime, there is no freedom of press or religion and the judiciary is neither impartial nor independent....

Foreign Conflicts (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: With your permission, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I will take Questions Nos. 14, 15, 21, 33, 38, 43 and 45 together. As I have made clear to the House, prior to the anticipated sailing of the flotilla I made clear to the Israeli authorities my insistence that any interception of the flotilla must ensure the safety of Irish citizens, and indeed other peaceful participants, on board. This message...