Results 10,261-10,280 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 21 and 35 together. I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputies. Hana Shalabi was released last October as part of the prisoner exchange deal concluded between the Israeli government and Hamas for the release of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. She had spent over two years in administrative detention by the time of her release. She was...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: There are currently 58 resident Embassies in Ireland. The operation of these Embassies is regulated by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 as transposed into Irish law by the Diplomatic and Immunities Act 1967. Privileges and immunities of accredited diplomatic agents in Ireland are governed by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 and the Vienna Convention on...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The killing of 16 Afghan civilians on 11 March this year was a shocking and tragic incident. On behalf of the Government, I extend my deepest condolences to the families of those killed and to the Afghan people. I welcome the commitment made by the US Secretary of Defence to quickly establish the facts surrounding this incident and to hold the person responsible to account. I understand...

Written Answers — Nuclear Proliferation: Nuclear Proliferation (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The most recent reports of the International Atomic Energy Agency on Iran, including those issued on 8 November 2011 and 24 February 2012, have 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 — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: In my view the State has been very well served by the current system governing Ambassadorial appointments, which draws on the skills and professionalism of experienced, dedicated and impartial career civil servants. The maintenance of a non-politicised civil service is a principal of our system of government to which I attach considerable importance. Ireland's diplomatic service is...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 49 and 51 together. Significant progress has been made in recent years to improve the scale and effectiveness of the response of the international community to major disasters and humanitarian crises. This has included the provision by Ireland and other donors of predictable emergency response funding. However, disasters on the scale of the earthquake...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Human Rights Council, in emergency session on 25 February 2011, established the International Commission of Inquiry on Libya. The Commission's mandate is "to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law in Libya, to establish the facts and circumstances of such violations and of the crimes perpetrated and, where possible, to identify those responsible, to make...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 58 together. As far as I am aware neither the European Union nor the United Nations produces a top ten list of countries in regards to the violations outlined by the Deputy. In our foreign policy, which is expressed in direct contact with other countries or multilaterally through the EU, the UN, and other international bodies such as the Organisation...

Written Answers — Civil Aviation Regulation: Civil Aviation Regulation (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 34 together. Under the Programme for Government 2011, as the Deputy will be aware, the Government undertook to enforce the prohibition on the use of Irish airspace, airports and related facilities for purposes not in line with the dictates of international law. The regulation of civil aviation is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Transport,...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of the leaked internal EU report to which the Deputy refers. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the specific details of this internal report but it is one of a series prepared by EU Heads of Mission in Jerusalem/Ramallah which have usefully helped to highlight the challenges and difficulties facing the Palestinian population in Area C as a result of the demolition of...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government's deep concern and revulsion at the tragic case of Amina Falili has already been stated during the course of a debate in this House last week. She was raped and then forced to marry her assailant so as to prevent him from being prosecuted for his appalling and heinous crime. Amina also suffered appalling domestic violence at the hands of her husband which ultimately led her...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 56 together. The uprisings across the Arab world which started at the end of 2010 have been genuinely popular movements demanding reform, freedom and equality. These movements are promoting fundamental values such as freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, the right to a fair trial and freedom from torture. Ireland and its EU partners subscribe...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy will be aware, the European Union has experienced an unprecedented economic crisis in recent years. It has taken significant steps to address this, including through strengthening the Stability and Growth Pact; undertaking banking reform; putting the EFSF and the ESM in place; and, for most Member States, agreement on the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government attaches a very high priority to the promotion and protection of human rights in both our domestic and our foreign policy. Ireland is currently involved in two major projects which are centred on human rights: our campaign for election to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2013 to 2015 term, and the review of our domestic human rights record by the Human Rights...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Confidence building initiatives continue to be an important aspect of implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and related Agreements. Contacts at political and official level with both communities in Northern Ireland are important in this regard and the Oireachtas itself plays a vital role, through the work of the Joint Committee on the Good Friday Agreement and through interactions...

Written Answers — Trade Missions: Trade Missions (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Trade missions are a valuable support to Irish business in developing markets abroad and are particularly important in the context of the export-led growth which is crucial to our economic recovery. I can assure Deputy Martin that since becoming Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I have been active in promoting opportunities for Irish companies overseas, both through...

Written Answers — Irish Communities Abroad: Irish Communities Abroad (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The welfare of our young people who are working abroad is a very important priority for the Government. I made this clear during my visit to Canada over St Patrick's Day when I had an opportunity to meet many young Irish living and working there and where I opened a centre in Toronto which will help address their needs. There are particular concerns in the United States where addressing...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy will be aware, I travelled to Canada to promote Ireland's economic, political and community interests during St Patrick's Day celebrations. My programme was designed to achieve three key objectives: to outline our economic strategy and progress achieved to key Canadian political and business figures; to increase trade and investment between our two countries; and to engage with...

Written Answers — Nuclear Proliferation: Nuclear Proliferation (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Nuclear weapons pose an existential challenge to humanity and achieving their elimination is a fundamental global challenge. Nuclear non-proliferation and implementation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty have been priorities of Irish Governments for over 50 years. We have a proud record of engagement and achievement in this critically important field and I am committed to maintaining...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Malawi is among the world's poorest countries, ranked 171 out of 187 on the 2011 UN Human Development Index. It has suffered two major famines in the last decade and over half of the population live below the national poverty line. More than 40% of children under five years of age suffer from chronic malnutrition and almost 12% of the population are living with HIV and AIDS. Malawi was...