Results 9,821-9,840 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

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

Eamon Gilmore: As I have said recently, the Government has closely followed the reported violent events in areas of Tibetan population in Chinese provinces neighbouring Tibet and is concerned about the situation. Human rights issues were discussed during the recent visit of China's Vice President, Mr. Xi Jinping, to Ireland. The promotion of human rights is an important dimension of Irish foreign policy....

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

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland strongly supports the process of developing strict controls on arms and works actively to promote the objective of strengthening arms controls globally. My officials will participate in a UN Diplomatic Conference from 2-27 July, where I hope agreement can be reached on a global Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). Ireland has been active on work towards an ATT from the outset and during the...

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

Eamon Gilmore: I remain concerned about the threat to human rights and the overall political situation in Bahrain. More needs to be done to address the legitimate demands of those peacefully seeking reform and greater inter-communal dialogue in Bahrain. It is essential that a process of national reconciliation and dialogue involving the political opposition, civil society and the victims of human rights...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I understand the Deputy's question refers to the consideration by the former Joint Committee on European Affairs (JCEA) of the situation in Gaza and whether it constituted a breach of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, in particular Article 2 concerning the parties' human rights obligations. The Government regards Association Agreements, such as that which exists with Israel, as a...

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

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland adheres to the One-China policy, recognising the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China. I have consulted with my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and have been advised that Ireland recognises the right of States to determine their own energy mix, including whether or not to develop nuclear...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Passports Act, 2008 provides, inter alia, that only Irish citizens are entitled to be issued with Irish passports. Each application received by the Passport Service must, therefore, demonstrate that person's entitlement to Irish citizenship before a passport can issue. The person in question was born in Co. Mayo on 1 June, 2009. Her entitlement to Irish citizenship is governed by the...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: For what I understand are historical reasons, the Holy See does not accept accreditation from a resident Embassy that is also accredited to Italy. It is not acceptable for one Ambassador to be accredited to both States, neither is it acceptable for embassies to the Italian Republic and the Holy See to operate from the same address. If the Vatican is prepared to relax its current requirements...

Written Answers — EU Treaties: EU Treaties (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106, 108 and 109 together. When agreement was reached in December to put in place new arrangements to enhance the stability of the euro area, Ireland made clear its preference for proceeding within the EU Treaties, and with the involvement of all 27 Member States. This did not prove possible, so it was agreed to proceed with a separate Treaty among those...

Written Answers — EU Treaties: EU Treaties (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: EU Treaties are agreements between all EU Member States that create binding obligations in international law and constitute the primary source of Union law. A Regulation is a legislative act of the Union which, under the ordinary legislative procedure, is jointly adopted by the European Parliament and the Council under the powers conferred upon them by the Treaties. A Regulation has general...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Assistance: Diplomatic Assistance (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Irish citizen referred to by the Deputy was arrested in Guatemala in May 2006. Consular assistance was provided by the Department through the Embassy of Ireland in Mexico and with the assistance also of the Honorary Consul in Guatemala. The case was also raised at Ministerial level with the Guatemalan Governments, including by letter of May 2010. However, as I am sure the Deputy will...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The statistics published last month were deeply worrying, especially insofar as they concerned child poverty, and I am glad the Deputy has raised the matter. Discussions at North South Ministerial Council meetings, especially at plenaries, cover a wide range of matters including economic issues relevant to this topic. There are also individual measures within the current areas of North South...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The various measures included in the package agreed at Weston Park in August 2001 addressed four issues to assist in the successful implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: policing, normalisation, the stability of the institutions and decommissioning. There has been huge progress made in all of these areas and this progress was highlighted by a number of important milestones during 2011....

Written Answers — EU Treaties: EU Treaties (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy will be aware, following agreement on the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union at the informal meeting of the European Council on 30 January, and a subsequent meeting of the Government, I sought the views of the Attorney General formally on what will be required by way of ratification in Ireland. The Attorney General is now...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The total spend by my Department on photography since March 2011 is €57,561.65. The table outlines the costs associated with each occasion. Event Cost State Visit of Queen Elizabeth II €22,662.70 Credentials €10,104.03 State Visit of Prince Albert of Monaco €6,213.35 Expenditure of missions abroad* €4,970.00 Official Visit to Mozambique, Malawi & Tanzania €2,388.30...

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

Eamon Gilmore: Human rights concerns remain central to our foreign policy. Together with our EU partners, Ireland closely monitors the human rights situations in many countries, including post-conflict countries, throughout the world. We do this on the basis of information obtained from a variety of sources including both official channels and non-governmental/civil society organisations. Where and when...

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

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland is adamantly opposed to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances and accordingly seeks its universal abolition. We continue to work in close cooperation with our EU partners in accordance with the common EU guidelines on the issue of the death penalty, to seek its universal abolition. The EU guidelines, adopted in 1998, set out clearly the common EU position on the use of...

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

Eamon Gilmore: Unfortunately, many countries world-wide continue to face significant developmental and humanitarian challenges. Ongoing and protracted conflicts cause untold suffering for millions of people while global turbulence, such as the continuing financial and economic crisis and volatile food prices, have a major impact on food security. At the same time, millions more continue to live with the...

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

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 to 133, inclusive, together. I have on a number of occasions stated clearly my grave concerns at the deteriorating situation in Syria and condemned the unacceptable violence and repression which is now estimated to have claimed some 7,000 lives since last March. In my address to the Security Council in New York on 9 February, I described the current...

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

Eamon Gilmore: The current political and humanitarian situations in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East, and their human toll in terms of suffering and displacement, particularly in Somalia and Syria, are of great concern. During 2011, countries in the Horn of Africa continued to face significant developmental and humanitarian challenges. Ongoing drought in the region has resulted in over 12 million...

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

Eamon Gilmore: One year after the Libyan uprising began, it is clear that the Libyan people supported by the international community are making progress towards establishing a democratic Libya, but that major challenges remain. I welcome the fact that, in an important step in Libya's democratic transition, Libyan officials on 8 February finalised the new electoral laws for the National Assembly elections...