Results 9,801-9,820 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Foreign Conflicts (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Deputy Ó Fearghaíl has attempted to broaden this debate by inquiring about my discussions with the Chinese delegation. I engaged in a discussion on broader human rights issues with the delegation at the weekend and I would be happy to answer questions on the matter if they are tabled. On Syria, the approach being taken at this stage is multilateral in nature. I do not believe that, at...

Human Rights Issues (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The programme for Government states that "we will enforce the prohibition on the use of Irish airspace, airports and related facilities for purposes not in line with international law". I have placed on record on numerous occasions my abhorrence at the illegal activity known as extraordinary rendition. There is no evidence that Shannon or any other Irish airport has ever been used for this...

Human Rights Issues (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: We have a procedure in place. It is not just a question of accepting assurances. There is a procedure in place whereby if prisoners are to be transported through any of our airports, the permission of the Irish Government must be sought and obtained. No such permission has been sought or granted and I have made it absolutely clear that under no circumstances will we grant permission for...

Human Rights Issues (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Rendition flights are not possible. They are illegal. The use of our airports for rendition purposes would be illegal. If any country wants to transport prisoners through our airports, they must seek permission from the State. As I stated, no such permission has been sought or granted and no such permission will be granted in the case of possible rendition.

OSCE Chairmanship (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: On 1 January this year Ireland assumed its year-long chairmanship-in-office of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Comprising 56 participating states in Europe, Central Asia and North America, the OSCE is the world's largest intergovernmental regional security organisation, dealing with a range of issues in the areas of democratisation, human rights, arms control and...

OSCE Chairmanship (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I am very happy to have the Deputy and his party colleagues share in the achievements of the Government in the area of foreign affairs. I have no difficulty in acknowledging that the agreement that Ireland should take the chair of the OSCE was made in 2009. The contribution Ireland intends to make on the issue of conflict resolution is to draw on the experience of it in Northern Ireland....

OSCE Chairmanship (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy will be aware, the OSCE has field offices in respective countries of the Balkans. The good news is that this year the field office in Croatia has been wound down because Croatia is acceding to membership of the European Union, which is a sign of progress. Also, the applications for EU membership made by states in the Balkans present an issue. The Minister of State, Deputy...

Armenian Elections (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 75 together. Observation of the upcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia will be carried out by the OSCE, not by the European Union. The Union does not engage in election observation activities in OSCE participating states, of which Armenia is one. It would not, therefore, be appropriate to request additional resources for the EU delegation in...

Armenian Elections (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: In fact, the European Union does not monitor elections in the OSCE region; that work is left to the OSCE itself, and there is an agreement between the EU and the OSCE to that effect. The EU carries out election monitoring in Africa, Latin America, Asia and other areas outside the OSCE. As I have said, we have already made arrangements through a needs assessment mission that took place...

Human Rights Issues (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I visited Gaza during my recent visit to the region as I wanted to see personally the effects of the blockade on the civilian population. I had useful discussions with Filippo Grandi, the Commissioner General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, which kindly facilitated my visit. I also visited an UNRWA school and a refugee camp and met with a number of Gazan business...

Human Rights Issues (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Embarrassment is not the word that comes to mind to describe the response of Mr. Netanyahu to the issues I raised. However, I made it clear to him and to the other Israeli leaders I met that Ireland is very much opposed to the blockade of Gaza, which clearly has a major impact from a humanitarian point of view and also for families and businesses as well as the Gazan economy. I also drew...

Human Rights Issues (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The settlements in the West Bank are another aspect of the very oppressive regime in which Palestinians have to live. I drew attention in particular, when I was meeting with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, to the implications of going ahead with the planned settlement in the area known as E1, on the fringes of East Jerusalem, which, if proceeded with, will have the effect of...

Human Rights Issues (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Deputy Boyd Barrett has a separate question on Khader Adnan. When we reach that question I will expand more fully on the subject but I understand from our officials that an understanding might have been reached in the last few hours, which would include Mr. Adnan ending his hunger strike on the basis of certain understandings he has reached. A supreme court case was due to be heard this...

Diplomatic Representation (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: While the details have not been finalised it is estimated the annual cost of a Dublin based diplomatic representation to the Holy See will be under €25,000. This includes the cost of maintaining a small office in the Villa Spada compound, staffed on a part-time basis by a locally recruited secretary. It is intended, in principle, that the ambassador to the Holy See would travel to Rome...

Diplomatic Representation (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Villa Spada is State-owned, there were no rental costs associated with the operational costs of the mission. This meant the running costs of that mission were low compared with those of other missions abroad. The plan is that both the chancery and the residence will be closed down and that the residence of the ambassador to Italy and the office of the embassy will be located in the...

Written Answers — Nuclear Proliferation: Nuclear Proliferation (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 71 together. The latest report of the International Atomic Energy Agency on Iran, issued on 8 November, concluded that there are both strong grounds for serious concerns regarding possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear programme and that information available indicated that Iran had carried out activities relevant to the development of a nuclear...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputy. Khadar Adnan is generally acknowledged to be a leader of Islamic Jihad. I have been very concerned that Mr. Adnan's hunger strike has now reached the point where his health is likely to be seriously endangered. My Department and the Embassy in Tel Aviv has been active in raising our concerns over this serious case with the Israeli...

Written Answers — Arms Trade: Arms Trade (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The recent elections in Egypt were free, fair and transparent. I regard the success of the elections as a clear sign that Egypt has embarked on the first steps of its democratic transition. However, I share the concerns of many in Egypt that the pace of the transition is too slow and urge the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to hand over power to civilian rule as soon as possible. I am...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Irish foreign policy is formulated in keeping with the national interest in keeping with this country's traditional values and role in the world. We seek also to act in concert with other states in order to achieve practical results. In particular, Ireland has committed itself, as a member of the European Union, to seek to coordinate where possible on foreign policy issues, so as to achieve...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I met with Colombian Vice-President Angelino Garzón during his visit to Dublin last month, on 24 January. As the Deputy will be aware, Mr Garzón has responsibility in the Colombian Government for taking forward the human rights agenda. We specifically discussed the progress being made under the Santos administration on the peace process, including the human rights conference which is due to...