Results 9,541-9,560 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (17 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: 2057I accord a high priority to the resolution of the conflict in the Middle East. I will continue to do all I can to support and encourage both Israelis and Palestinians to work actively to achieve this, and this will be a key feature of my intended visit to the region later this month. I will also continue to urge a stronger involvement by the EU, the Quartet and other parties. The...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (17 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: 1As I have previously stated, the human rights situation in Iran is profoundly disturbing, and the period since the Presidential election of 2009 has been characterised by an intensification of human rights abuses on many fronts. I am particularly disturbed by the increase in the number of executions in Iran last year. Hundreds of individuals were executed in 2011 after unfair trials,...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (18 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 to 37, inclusive, and 40 together. The Deputy is referring to the new Hungarian constitution which came into force on 1 January, its associated cardinal laws and the media law adopted in 2010. While the stated aim of the new constitution - the consolidation of democracy in Hungary - is commendable, aspects of the new Constitution and the cardinal laws have...

Written Answers — EU Treaties: EU Treaties (18 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 39, 48 to 50, inclusive, and 54 together. Since the onset of the current economic crisis in Europe, European leaders have been seized of the need to find a lasting resolution that allows us to put the crisis behind us and to focus on generating growth and jobs as a means of underpinning recovery. Significant steps have been taken in this regard, including...

Written Answers — Election Monitoring: Election Monitoring (18 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland contributed five short-term observers selected by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. A member of the Oireachtas took part in the observation mission of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and a former member of the Oireachtas observed the election at the invitation of a Russian non-governmental organisation. The OSCE ODIHR Election Observation Mission issued a preliminary...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (18 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 43 together. The Ruling of the European Court of Human Rights in December 2009 (Sejdic and Finci v. Bosnia and Herzegovina) held that the prohibition in the Bosnian Constitution against those from the Roma and Jewish minorities from standing for election to the Parliamentary Assembly and for the State Presidency violates the European Convention on Human...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (18 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 to 47, inclusive, together. Our approach to EU enlargement is positive. Expanding the Union encourages a more prosperous and stable Europe and the process itself is equally beneficial to candidate countries in encouraging them to implement economic and political reforms and to strengthen their democratic values. Respect for these norms as set out in the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (18 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The most recent meeting of the EU-Uzbekistan Cooperation Council took place in Brussels on 14 November 2011. During the Cooperation Council, the EU raised a wide range of issues concerning human rights and fundamental freedoms in Uzbekistan. Prior to the meeting, all twenty-seven Member States of the European Union, including Ireland, mandated the EU representatives at the Cooperation...

Written Answers — EU Budget: EU Budget (18 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Commission presented proposals for the EU Budget Multiannual Financial Framework for 2014 to 2020, the MFF, on 29 June 2011. Work on this legislative proposal is being led by the General Affairs Council. Detailed proposals are being discussed in the relevant sectoral Councils. The Polish Presidency presented a report on initial discussions of the MFF to the December European Council....

Written Answers — EU Presidency: EU Presidency (18 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is being allocated some 68 temporary additional posts in 2012/2013 in order to plan and fulfil its EU Presidency responsibilities and activities in the first half of next year. The temporary additional staff will be assigned as appropriate at Headquarters and to Irish Missions abroad with Presidency responsibilities, most notably the Permanent...

Written Answers — EU Strategy: EU Strategy (18 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth is a key topic of Ireland's ongoing engagement with European partners, both capitals and institutions. Ireland believes that the growth agenda must become a stronger focus at EU level. Growth is key to supporting the job creation necessary to address the unemployment crisis. It is also critical to restoring fiscal...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (18 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Responsibility for transposing EU measures into Irish law rests with individual Departments with responsibility for the relevant policy area. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has no EU Directives awaiting transposition. As Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade I have not participated in any debates on transposition relative to my areas of responsibility.

Written Answers — EU Presidency: EU Presidency (18 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland is aiming to run an efficient and cost-effective Presidency focused on making progress in promoting Irish interests through the EU's legislative agenda. Work by Ministers and their Departments to identify priorities and emerging issues in their policy areas that are likely to be of importance during Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2013 has been ongoing...

Written Answers — EU Presidency: EU Presidency (18 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland will assume the Presidency of the EU during the first six months of 2013. An important element of these preparations is close cooperation and coordination with the preceding and succeeding Presidencies and the EU institutions. The Government is working closely with Lithuania which will also hold its Presidency in 2013. I met twice last year with the Lithuanian Minister for Foreign...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (18 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: In relation to Serbia's application for EU membership, the Commission recommended in its Enlargement Strategy for 2012 that "the Council should grant Serbia the status of candidate country taking into account progress achieved so far and on the understanding that Serbia re-engages in the dialogue with Kosovo and is moving swiftly to the implementation in good faith of agreements reached to...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (18 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Active engagement with Europe and with the other EU Member States is a core element of Ireland's foreign policy, and the work of our Embassies and diplomatic missions in other EU countries is crucial in this regard. Europe and the EU have a pre-eminent place in much of Government policy. The Government's programme emphasises the importance of restoring Ireland's standing as a respected...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (18 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The decision to close Ireland's resident Embassy to the Holy See and to appoint a non-resident Ambassador was made following a comprehensive review of the Mission network and against a background of the need for my Department to reduce its expenditure in the current difficult economic climate that we face. The Government has nominated the Secretary General of my Department, Mr. David...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (18 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I refer to my answer to PQ 30853 of 25 October 2011. As this matter is currently before the courts, it would be inappropriate for me to discuss the case further at this time.

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (18 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government recently made arrangements to appoint Mr Noel White, currently serving as Director for Press and Information in my Department, as Ireland's next Ambassador to Australia. Mr White is expected to take up duty within the next month.

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (18 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: There are nine countries where Ireland maintains an Embassy abroad where there is not a reciprocal Embassy in Dublin. Of these, six are in Irish Aid priority countries: Malawi; Mozambique; Tanzania; Uganda; Vietnam; and Zambia. Our resident Missions reflect the special relationship with these developing countries. The other countries where Ireland has resident Embassies without a...