Results 9,221-9,240 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: There is no ambiguity about the matter. There is a commitment in the programme for Government that a climate change Bill will be produced and that commitment will be honoured.

Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Deputy is correct that the Government is undertaking major reforms of the health service and the HSE, some of which will require legislation. When that legislation has been prepared, it will be introduced. I also agree with the Deputy that some of the exceptionally apocalyptic stories appearing in some sections of the newspapers on hospital closures are way off the mark.

Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: As I stated, the time arrangements for the debate can be discussed by the Whips. The House will obviously make whatever arrangements it wishes. Moreover, in my experience, during the lifetime of the Government, there has been no great difficulty in the amount of time made available to the Opposition to make its case on legislation. The only difficulty I can see is that the Opposition often...

Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government gives it time, but it is unable to keep the debate going.

Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The heads of the Bill have been approved. The Bill is being drafted and I expect it to be published early next year.

Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The national vetting bureau Bill is being worked on as a matter of priority, although there are complex legal issues involved. As I have stated previously, the companies (consolidation) Bill is major legislation, comprising approximately 1,200 heads. Its publication is expected in the middle of next year.

Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: While I do not have a date for publication of the Bill on online betting, I will ask the Minister to communicate directly with the Deputy.

Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Water Services (Amendment) Bill has been published and is before the Seanad.

Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: When it has completed its passage through the Seanad, it will be brought before this House.

Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: There is an immigration Bill which has reached Committee Stage. I will be obliged to ask the relevant Minister to revert directly to the Deputy.

Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The explosives Bill is expected-----

Order of Business (24 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: -----early next year.

Written Answers — Special Economic Zones: Special Economic Zones (29 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I have been advised that the President of Dundalk Chamber of Commerce submitted proposals last week to the Joint Secretariat of the North South Ministerial Council in Armagh which included a proposal for a Newry/Dundalk Economic Zone. While decisions about establishing economic zones would not be a matter for my Department, I continue to advocate, as indeed my Ministerial colleagues and I...

Written Answers — North-South Ministerial Council: North-South Ministerial Council (29 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The most recent meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in plenary format was on Friday, 18 November 2011. Since then, the only meeting in sectoral format that has taken place was that in respect of the Special European Union Programmes Body on 21 November 2011.

Written Answers — Constitutional Amendments: Constitutional Amendments (29 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 81 together. At their meetings in October, the Heads of State or Government of the Euro Area agreed to reflect on further strengthening of economic convergence within the Euro Area, on improving fiscal discipline and on deepening economic union. They asked President Van Rompuy, in close co-operation with the President of the Commission and the...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (29 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a passport has now issued to the person in question and transmitted to her via the Embassy in Pretoria. The approval process was delayed by the necessity under the Passports Act 2008 to establish the applicant's entitlement to Irish citizenship but also, I understand, by an administrative error, which I very much regret. I have asked the Embassy to...

Written Answers — Good Friday Agreement: Good Friday Agreement (29 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers. I understand the prisoner in question has initiated legal proceedings with a view to obtaining early release. As the matter is before the courts, it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further at this stage other than to confirm that officials from my Department continue to monitor developments closely.

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (29 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Deputy will be aware from my replies to him on 2 and 15 November that this case is receiving the highest priority in my Department. I assure the Deputy that this remains the case. Certain discussions on the legal advice which has been obtained in this area have taken place between my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality, which is responsible for matters of citizenship...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (29 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table that follows this reply. There has been a substantial reduction in staff numbers in my Department, arising mainly from retirements, with some posts left unfilled because of restrictions on recruitment necessitated by the current budgetary pressures. Year Number serving (based on full-time equivalents) 2008 1,581.6 2009...

Written Answers — Conflict Resolution: Conflict Resolution (29 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Conflict Resolution Unit was established in the Department in 2007 to enhance Ireland's engagement in conflict resolution internationally. The work of the Unit builds on Ireland's tradition of UN peacekeeping, our commitment to overseas development aid, our experience of the peace process in Northern Ireland and our commitment to human rights and the international rule of law. The unit...