Results 8,721-8,740 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Overseas Missions (4 Oct 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: During the course of the week I was at the United Nations in New York, I attended a high-level meeting on Libya on 20 September. I have heard what the National Transitional Council and its representatives have had to say, which is it is the council's intention to build a democratic state in Libya. It will be supported in that effort by the United Nations and Ireland will in turn support the...

Official Engagements (4 Oct 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government came into office with an explicit commitment to restore Ireland's standing as a respected and influential member of the European Union. Members of the Government are availing of opportunities to meet their EU colleagues, as well as representatives of the European institutions, to underline the Government's constructive engagement with the European agenda and to ensure close...

Official Engagements (4 Oct 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: As I stated, I have met all my EU colleagues. Some of these meetings have been formal, bells and whistles, bilateral meetings, while some have been discussions on the margins of EU Foreign Affairs and General Affairs Council meetings and various UN and OSC meetings, to which there has been a number of objectives. In the period leading up to our renegotiations with the European Union and the...

Trade Relations (4 Oct 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The promotion of Irish trade and exports is a key priority for my Department. At headquarters level and through our embassy network we work closely with the IDA, which is tasked with the attraction and development of foreign investment in Ireland. We also work with Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and Tourism Ireland to assist Irish companies to access markets in a number of practical ways....

Trade Relations (4 Oct 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Yes. The new Export Trade Council brings together all Departments and State agencies involved in trade and export activity and representatives of the private sector. Last week at a meeting of the council we discussed some of the challenges facing Irish exporters and those engaged in trade. They include, for example, language education, a matter we intend to address further. Issues also...

Trade Relations (4 Oct 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The first way of doing so is to adopt a position of respect in working with the governments of developing countries, respecting their sovereignty and wishes. We must take our lead from the governments of those countries of which we are partners as to how they wish to manage their natural resources and other matters. Human rights are also a very important dimension, of which we are very...

Trade Relations (4 Oct 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The cost base and the issue of competitiveness are very much at the heart of Government policy. As a country we must be competitive. The Deputy will acknowledge that there have been significant improvements in Ireland's competitiveness in recent times which are reflected in the improved position of our exports.

Diplomatic Representation (4 Oct 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Irish embassies worldwide perform a wide range of functions in support of Ireland's national interests. Since taking office, I have directed that all embassies and consulates should redouble their efforts in promoting trade, supporting Irish business and seeking out new markets. In practical terms, this means embassies are actively promoting an awareness of Ireland and its business...

Diplomatic Representation (4 Oct 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: It is important to state the total number of embassies is 76, with most of our missions having three diplomatic staff or fewer. Seven missions have one diplomat. In talking about a strategic plan, in most of our embassies it is to multi-task and perform a range of functions. These include consular activity, intergovernmental work and leading the trade effort. In dealing with the trade...

Diplomatic Representation (4 Oct 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: It will be filled very soon. I do not want to be evasive on the matter. The post has been vacant since August. Normally the filling of an ambassadorial post takes time for a variety of reasons, including the movement of individuals from one place to another. I intend to bring proposals to the Government shortly in respect of the ambassadorial posts to be filled.

Undocumented Irish in the United States (4 Oct 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50, 96 and 108 together. Addressing the position of the undocumented Irish and reforming our migration arrangements with the United States remain important priorities for the Government in its relationship with the US Administration and Congress. The Taoiseach and I discussed these issues with President Obama when we met him on 23 May in Dublin. Responding...

Undocumented Irish in the United States (4 Oct 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I thank the Deputy for his kind remarks. I understand and sympathise with the plight of people who find themselves undocumented in the United States and are unable to return home for funerals and for other family contacts. It is a very difficult situation. We are optimistic that the legislation will be introduced, and obviously we must work with the promoters of the legislation to ensure...

Undocumented Irish in the United States (4 Oct 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: There is no embassy in Washington more effective at lobbying Capitol Hill and the American political system than the Irish Embassy. We have had outstanding service there over the years from our ambassadors and diplomats, including those currently serving there. They miss no opportunity to lobby on this issue and this country's other issues. In respect of the reciprocal arrangement mentioned...

Middle East Peace Process (4 Oct 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I have consistently made clear, including in my address to the UN General Assembly last week, that the Government opposes Israel's illegal settlement of occupied Palestinian territory and that we want an immediate halt to such activity. This policy is stated at every opportunity, both directly with the Israeli authorities, in international fora and in discussions at EU level. The illegal...

Middle East Peace Process (4 Oct 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: President Obama is a very good friend of Ireland. This country has very warm and close relations with the United States which we will continue. President Obama will state his country's position on international issues at the UN, just as I stated Ireland's position on this issue. In respect of the expansion of the settlements, I said in reply to an earlier question that we strongly condemn...

Middle East Peace Process (4 Oct 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: On several occasions since I came into office, I have spoken to the Israeli ambassador and representatives of the Israeli Government. I have also spoken to its Foreign Minister Mr. Lieberman. He and I were to have met at the UN General Assembly but there were changes on the Israeli side to that arrangement and the meeting did not take place. It is fair to say the Israeli Government is in...

Middle East Peace Process (4 Oct 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I refer to my approach to this issue in the European Union context. There are domestic and political considerations which influence the way the United State responds to this issue and the way it engages with it, and I think Deputy Wallace referred to this. Therefore, the European Union has a particular role to play in seeking to make progress. There is a framework around the quartet...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (4 Oct 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I am very well aware of the situation in Colombia regarding the dangers for trade unionists, even if the precise level of such murders is difficult to establish exactly, and I share the deep concern expressed by the Deputy. I met with the Colombian Ambassador to Ireland in July and we discussed at length the human rights situation in the country. I welcomed the steps which the Santos...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (4 Oct 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government is actively building bilateral relations with the new Libyan authorities. I attended a high-level meeting on Libya in New York on 20 September, on the margins of the sixty-sixth session of the UN General Assembly. This meeting demonstrated the strong international support for the transition now underway in Libya and marked also the formal acceptance into the United Nations of...

Written Answers — Democratisation Process: Democratisation Process (4 Oct 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Bosnia and Herzegovina is experiencing a prolonged period of political and economic stalemate. Elections took place almost exactly a year ago, on 3 October 2010. The process of government formation has yet to be completed. All main political party leaders met recently in Brcko to try to find a way forward, with a specific focus on the formation of the state level executive, the Council of...