Results 10,221-10,240 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Departmental Websites: Departmental Websites (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The EU Matters website was developed by the EU Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs to provide information about Ireland's membership of the European Union. With the transfer of the co-ordination of the European Union affairs from the Department of Foreign Affairs to the Department of the Taoiseach, we are reviewing how best we communicate the Government's approach to EU policy,...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I met with the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Charles J. Brown, when he presented his credentials to President Higgins on 16 February. I look forward to working closely with him, both in his role as Apostolic Nuncio and as Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.

Written Answers — North-South Implementation Bodies: North-South Implementation Bodies (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 83 together. At the meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in plenary format on 18 November 2011, Ministers agreed that a number of proposals to advance the first element of the St Andrews Agreement Review would be discussed at the next round of NSMC meetings in sectoral format with a view to decisions being taken at the next NSMC Plenary...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and other supplementary agreements is a high priority for the Government and is set out specifically in my Department's current Statement of Strategy. Great progress has been made on the full implementation of the Agreements but some important outstanding elements remain. In working towards full implementation, I engage regularly with the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: 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 well over 8,000 lives since last March. I am particularly concerned about the urgent humanitarian needs of the civilian population in many areas of Syria. Ireland and its EU partners have reacted...

Written Answers — Constitutional Amendments: Constitutional Amendments (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81, 82 and 85 together. As the House will be aware, the Government decided yesterday that the date of the referendum will be 31 May 2012. The Bill allowing it to go ahead will be published later this week, for full and thorough debate in the Oireachtas over the next month. In choosing this date, we want to ensure an informed debate in which the people have...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy will be aware, over this St Patrick's Day period, the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and 16 Ministers travelled to 15 of Ireland's key trading partners to promote Irish business, tourism and culture overseas and to advise our international partners that 'now is the time to invest in Ireland's recovery'. St. Patrick's Day offers a unique opportunity to promote Ireland's image and...

Written Answers — Sale of State Assets: Sale of State Assets (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I have consulted with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine who has advised that the possible sale of Coillte assets was not discussed between Irish and Chinese Ministers during the visit to Ireland by H.E. Xi JinPing Vice President of the People's Republic of China.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: My Department has made no payments to the entity in question from 1 September 2008 to date.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: There are no agencies or state agency under the aegis of my Department. The Department itself does not rent property to any other party and, accordingly, does not hold any leases where it acts in the capacity of landlord.

Diplomatic Representation (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Can the Leas-Cheann Comhairle confirm that this session will conclude at 5.45 p.m.?

Diplomatic Representation (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 3 together. In November 2011, the Government announced its decision to close three of Ireland's overseas missions - our embassies in Tehran and to the Holy See, and our Mission in Timor Leste. This decision, taken with the greatest regret and reluctance, was driven by economic factors deriving from our need to cut public expenditure and focus the modest...

Diplomatic Representation (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I do not accept the allegation about torpedoing the diplomatic relations between Ireland and the Holy See. Ireland has good diplomatic relations with the Holy See and that will continue. I was very glad, for example, to be present when the President received the new papal nuncio to Ireland and accepted his credentials. Indeed I welcome him to Ireland and had the opportunity of doing so on...

Diplomatic Representation (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I reject in the strongest terms the allegation by the Deputy that I have any bias against the Catholic Church. I hold no bias against the Catholic Church or any church and the Deputy should withdraw his allegation. On a number of occasions I have set out the reasons for taking this decision. It has been necessary given the financial circumstances in which we find ourselves. Limited...

Diplomatic Representation (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I reject that. Deputy McGrath has given expression to his view in the House. I realise it has been stated by Deputy McGrath and others that there is somehow a bias against the Catholic Church on my part. I absolutely reject that. The Deputy can point to no occasion or find no statement in which I have expressed bias or hostility towards the Catholic Church.

Diplomatic Representation (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I simply do not accept that because it is absolutely false. It is a base political charge that Deputy McGrath and others have been touting. His interest here is not in the embassy to the Vatican or the Catholic Church.

Diplomatic Representation (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Deputy McGrath's interest is to have a political cut at the Government. If he wishes to make a political charge or take a political pop at me, that is fine, but I will reply to it.

Diplomatic Representation (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I am saying in clear terms that there is no bias against the Catholic Church or any other church. We made a pragmatic decision about the number of embassies. I have made it clear that if financial circumstances improve and especially if the Holy See relaxes the position on arrangements acceptable to it for the appointment of ambassadors, then we will take these factors into account in any...

Human Rights Issues (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy is aware, the Taoiseach has just returned to Ireland after his first official visit to China. During the visit, the Taoiseach and Premier Wen Jiabao released a joint statement establishing a strategic partnership for mutually beneficial co-operation between Ireland and China. This new strategic partnership will facilitate practical, effective and result-oriented co-operation...

Human Rights Issues (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The way in which our relations with China will develop will be in line with the strategic partnership that has been agreed during the course of the Taoiseach's recent visit to China. This is a significant development in our relationship and it sets down the framework for the contacts between the two countries on a range of political, economic and human dimension issues. Part and parcel of...