Results 8,501-8,520 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Foreign Conflicts (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Deputy Boyd Barrett was not in the House when I answered the serious questions raised about the Government's response to the Palestinian issue, the occupation that is taking place in Palestine, the blockade of Gaza and the efforts we are making to bring about a resolution to that. It is claptrap to talk about collusion by the Irish State with Israel. The Government is working constructively...

Foreign Conflicts (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The only issue he seems to be concerned about is the protest. With regard to the protest, I made my position clear. The travel advice provided by my Department was consistent with the travel advice we provide to anyone going into dangerous circumstances. I was hugely conscious of the actions that took place last year, and which I condemn. I met the organisers of the Irish group in the...

Foreign Conflicts (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I do not have to be invited to do that at all because on the very day that we received the report that there was damage to the MV Saoirse, we asked for the matter to be investigated. The investigation had to be carried out by the Turkish authorities because the vessel was in one of their ports. I am not telling the Deputy what I believe nor am I offering him an opinion. I am relating the...

Foreign Conflicts (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: First, I do not rely on newspaper reports. The report I received was from the Irish embassy, which had been in contact with the Turkish authorities who reported the view they had concluded based on the coast guard examination. If the Deputy has information and evidence other than that, we will look at it. This is my third time to repeat that and if it transpires that there was sabotage, we...

Foreign Conflicts (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: If any Deputy wants to bring evidence to my attention, I will have it examined. The standard way to assess damage to vessels in a port is to have it investigated by the port authorities and the authorities of the country in which it takes place.

Undocumented Irish (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Addressing the position 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 inclusion of Ireland in an amended reciprocal E3 visa scheme, which would allow Irish people with a certain level of education to work in the US on a two-year renewable...

Undocumented Irish (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The suggestion has been raised with us by the group, Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, ILIR. The idea is that an administrative waiver would be applied to undocumented people who are in the United States and who otherwise would qualify for a visa. However, they would have to return home in order to make an application. The issue is being pursued by us. The ambassador in Washington has...

Written Answers — International Organisations: International Organisations (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 50 together. Ireland assumes the Chairmanship of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in January 2012 for one year. Comprising 56 participating States from Europe, Central Asia and North America, the OSCE deals with a range of issues in areas such as democratisation, human rights, arms control and conflict resolution. Since...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 34, 35 and 46 together. I have already outlined my concerns to this House about the ongoing detention and trial of forty eight medical personnel, a number of whom were trained by the RCSI and also worked in Ireland at one stage. I have called clearly for such personnel to be released, unless charged or unless the Bahraini authorities can present clear...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The political and human rights situation in Sri Lanka continues to give cause for concern. Despite the best efforts of the United Nations and the wider international community, the Sri Lankan Government has to date refused to co-operate with the Panel of Experts appointed by UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon and has failed to address the recommendations contained in their report. The Deputy...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 42 together. I refer the Deputy to my answer to the priority questions on this subject taken earlier. 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...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 37 together. I am satisfied with the service that is provided by the Passport Service although I do very much regret the delays currently being experienced by customers. The Service is currently coping with a level of demand 12% higher than that experienced in recent years. I do not believe that privatising the Passport Service would resolve that...

Written Answers — Exports Sector: Exports Sector (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The issue of any difficulties being experienced by Irish exporters due to a shortage of availability of freight shipping containers has not been previously raised with me or with my officials. My Department has consulted the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport on the matter raised by the Deputy and inquires have also been made with...

Written Answers — Trade Missions: Trade Missions (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 41 together. Trade missions are a valuable support to Irish business in developing markets abroad and particularly important in the context of the export-led growth which is crucial to our economic recovery. In general, proposals for trade missions to be led at Ministerial level are submitted by Enterprise Ireland on the basis of the priority markets...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The urgent need for dialogue and a resumption of direct negotiations on the Middle East Peace Process remains a key concern of myself and my EU colleagues. I have been anxious in particular that, with so much else happening in the region, and the natural tendency to focus on specific events such as the flotilla, we must not lose sight of the real danger of continuing inactivity on the...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I have stated consistently my view that the slight relaxation in the blockade of Gaza, while welcome, has not gone nearly far enough or fast enough. I agree that the volume of construction materials being allowed into Gaza is entirely insufficient for the essential reconstruction needs of both people and infrastructure. While overall volumes transferred to Gaza have increased, they remain...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The recent transfer of certain trade promotion functions from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to my Department has given it responsibility for the management of the Export Trade Council which will subsume the work of the previous Foreign Trade Council. I will chair the new Council with support from the Minister of State for Trade and Development, Jan O'Sullivan TD. In line...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and should be respected by all governments. As the change sweeping across North Africa and the Middle East has shown, attempts to suppress this right can only damage the legitimacy of those who do so and are ultimately unlikely to be unsuccessful. In relation to the particular case cited by the Deputy, I am aware that Mr. Nasser Abul has...

Written Answers — Trade Relations: Trade Relations (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government attaches importance to developing our trade and bilateral links with India. The latest available data shows that total merchandise trade has continued to increase over the last three years. We will be building on the excellent relations that exist between our two countries to further enhance our trade, investment, education and tourism links. The Strategy and Action Plan...

Written Answers — Trade Promotion: Trade Promotion (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The promotion of Ireland's economic and trade interests has always been a core function of my Department and the Embassy network. This role has become even more crucial in the face of the economic and financial crisis and the need to drive an export-led recovery. It was given further impetus by the recent transfer to my Department of responsibility for trade promotion Our Embassies abroad...