Results 9,161-9,180 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I do not have any difficulty having the issue debated in the House and reminding the Deputy that the guarantee, which was a bad decision at the time, was introduced by his Government and that we are stuck with it.

Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government is very conscious of the extent to which 200,000 employees in the State are legally exposed as a result of the decision of the High Court to strike down the system of joint labour committees and the employment regulation orders that previously governed their wages. That is why the Government has decided to bring in legislation to provide the legal protection those workers...

Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The European Communities (amendment) Bill is being prepared in my Department and I hope to have it brought forward before the end of this year. I understand the Minister for Education and Skills intends to have the heads of the education and training boards Bill discussed at the Joint Committee on Jobs, Social Protection and Education prior to its publication. The planning and development...

Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Minister for Social Protection has a commission which is examining a range of issues, including that raised by the Deputy. I am not sure when it is due to report but a programme of reform has been undertaken by the Minister and this matter is part of it.

Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Brian Hayes, is working on the legislation in question. My understanding is he wants to introduce it in the House this side of Christmas, if possible. It must be borne in mind, however, that there are scheduling issues between now and Christmas because of the budget and legislation which will arise from it.

Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Second Stage of the Water Services (Amendment) Bill was completed in the Seanad yesterday and Committee Stage is scheduled for next week. When it has completed all Stages in the Seanad, it will come into this House.

Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Not everything in a newspaper report will become legislation. There will be a social welfare Bill after the budget which will give effect to the measures contained in the Budget Statement.

Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: While the Keane report is being debated in the House, the Government is also considering an implementation plan for measures to deal with those who are facing difficulties with mortgage arrears. I expect the Government will make an announcement on this matter in the near future.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: All rent commitments relating to properties in the State occupied by the Department of Foreign Affairs are discharged by the Office of Public Works. In addition, 110 properties are rented by my Department outside the State for use primarily as offices and official residences. Rental agreements vary from country to country in accordance with local law and practice. Leases are usually for a...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: There are no State Agencies operating under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. There are three advisory committees and one commission operating under the auspices 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;...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: My Department has some contracts in place for services such as IT, cleaning and security. However it does not employ agency staff in Ireland. In addition, a small number of our Missions abroad engage agency staff for administrative roles. In the short time available, it is not possible to provide detailed information on these services.

Written Answers — Economic and Monetary Union: Economic and Monetary Union (22 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The question of the future direction of the Union is, of course, a matter for all 27 Member States. For its part, the Government has expressed its strong view that future arrangements must avoid fragmentation of the Union, including as regards the operation of the single market. Doing things together is what makes sense of the Union, while working together brings us closer and strengthens...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (22 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: During my recent visit to Moscow, I had an opportunity for brief contact at events held in the Irish Embassy with representatives of a number of humanitarian groups, NGOs and academic institutions as well as religious figures, lawyers and media representatives. Due to time constraints, it was not possible to enter to detailed discussion with individual groups. I also attended a round-table...

Written Answers — Information Technology: Information Technology (22 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 106 together. My Department does not lease any computer servers. The 284 computer servers required to support the Department's ICT services are owned by the Department. Server capacity falls into the following ranges: Up to 200 gigabytes – 101 servers. Between 200 gigabytes and 1 terabyte – 160 servers. In excess of 1 terabytes – 23 servers....

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (22 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland continues to support the right to self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, and the continuing engagement of the United Nations in the search for a political solution in the territory based on the principle of self-determination. UN Secretary General Ban's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara, Christopher Ross, has convened several rounds of informal talks most recently in...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (22 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government supports the right to self-determination of the people of the Western Sahara. Ireland has not taken a position on the future status of the territory, so long as that status is decided in a genuine exercise of self-determination. At present, the Western Sahara is a non-self governing territory. Under international law, the economic resources of a non-self governing territory...

Written Answers — Security of Aid Workers: Security of Aid Workers (22 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of the kidnapping of three European aid workers from the Saharawi refugee camps in Algeria in October and hope that they will be re-united with their families very shortly. It is a traumatic and worrying time for their families, as we know from our experience of the kidnapping of aid workers with Irish NGOs, and my thoughts are with their families at this distressing time. It is a...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (22 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: For data protection reasons, I am not in a position to advise on the receipt or otherwise of passport information from a third party. However, it should be noted that the Passports Act, 2008 requires that before issuing a passport to a person, the Minister for Foreign Affairs shall be satisfied as to the identity of each applicant and that the person is an Irish citizen. Documentary proof...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (22 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The table contains details of the number of full-time-equivalent staff by grade assigned to the Passport Offices in Balbriggan, Cork and Molesworth Street. Grade Balbriggan Cork Molesworth Street Total Principal Officer 0 0 1 1 Assistant Principal Officer 1 1 0 2 Higher Executive Officer 5 1 4.6 10.6 Executive Officer 14.8 4.8 10.3 29.9 Staff Officer 3.6 7 8.9 19.5 Clerical Officer...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (22 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: My Department has some contracts in place for services such as IT, cleaning and security. However it does not employ agency staff in Ireland. In addition, from time to time, a small number of our Missions abroad engage agency staff for administrative roles. There are no state boards or state agencies operating under the aegis of my Department.