Results 10,601-10,620 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland has 56 Embassies, 7 multilateral missions as well as 10 Consulates General and other offices overseas. While the specific activity of each mission in relation to the promotion of Ireland's economic and trade interests will necessarily differ, depending on market conditions and other factors, bilateral Embassies and Consulates in particular have a role to play in promoting trade and...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The staffing information for 2012 requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below in respect of Missions abroad. The figures take account of officers of other Government Departments and offices whose salaries and other costs are in some cases borne by the parent Department or office. Also included is a small number of staff indirectly engaged through local employment agencies....

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland's National Action Plan in relation to UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security was officially launched in November 2011. The Plan sets out how Ireland will promote and implement the objectives of UNSCR 1325 in its programme support activities, diplomatic advocacy and policy-making across the interrelated areas of peace, security and development. ...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The issue of prisons within Northern Ireland and the conditions contained within is a devolved matter related to the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland and an executive agency of this Department, the Northern Ireland Prison Service. Arising from the Hillsborough Agreement of February 2010 which led to the devolution of policing and justice, Dame Ann Owers and the Prison Review Team...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The next session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) will take place in Geneva from 21 May to 4 June 2012. Fourteen countries will be reviewed at this session, including Indonesia. Under the UPR process, each UN member state is subject to a thorough review of its human rights by the UN Human Rights Council. The reviews are based on information provided by the state concerned,...

Written Answers — International Summits: International Summits (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As Ireland is not a member of NATO, the question of attendance at the NATO Summit in Chicago does not arise. In accordance with usual practice, an invitation was extended to the Taoiseach to attend a meeting which will take place on the margins of the NATO Summit between NATO Heads of State and Government and non-NATO countries who contribute to the International Security Assistance Force...

Written Answers — European Union Budget: European Union Budget (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The size of the European Union budget is governed by the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which specifies the limits for spending under the various budget headings for seven years. The Commission made a formal proposal for the MFF 2014-2020 in June of last year. This proposal, which provided for a maximum of €1025 billion over seven years, is now the subject of active negotiations...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 156, 163 and 182 together. 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. Proposed draft legislation by the British Government to deal with this...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Following the decision to close the Embassy to the Holy See it has been decided to relocate both the offices of the Embassy to Italy and the residence of the Ambassador to Italy to the state-owned Villa Spada. It is expected that the transfer will be completed this year and that the full year rental savings, amounting to €445,000, will be realised in 2013. As I have previously stated in...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Passports have issued to all three applicants. The passports of the two older children seeking renewals were issued on 9 and 11 May, 2012 and that of the youngest child, a first time applicant, was issued on 17 May.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Graduate entry to the diplomatic service is at Third Secretary level. This is handled centrally by the Public Appointments Service. Unfortunately, due to the current moratorium on recruitment into the public sector, no Third Secretary competition is currently planned. In recent years, my Department has offered a limited number of short-term internships for graduates in the areas of human...

Written Answers — Ministerial Meetings: Ministerial Meetings (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I visited Paris on Sunday 6 May upon the election of President Hollande in my capacity as leader of the Labour Party. I have also had a number of informal exchanges with members of his transition team. The Taoiseach spoke by telephone to President Hollande on 9 May and congratulated him on his victory in the presidential elections in France. Their discussions focussed on the referendum on...

Written Answers — Ministerial Meetings: Ministerial Meetings (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Officials from my own Department and from the Department of the Taoiseach are in ongoing contact with officials of the French Government.

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The North South Ministerial Council (NSMC), established as part of the Good Friday Agreement, plays a key role in developing deeper economic and social ties through bringing together relevant Ministers from the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. The NSMC also reviews the work of the North-South bodies, such as InterTrade Ireland and Tourism Ireland. The Department of Foreign...

Written Answers — Fiscal Compact Treaty: Fiscal Compact Treaty (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 170 to 172, inclusive, 176 and 177 together. I can confirm that I have met representatives and leaders of many of the social partners in the context of the Stability Treaty and the current referendum campaign. These have included representatives of the farming community as well as trade unions, business groups, women's groups and others. Both before and after...

Written Answers — EU Presidency: EU Presidency (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Work is under way on the administrative planning for the EU Presidency which is being taken forward by my Department. This work involves close coordination with the Department of the Taoiseach, with other Government Departments and with the OPW. An Inter-Departmental group meets on a regular basis to update on policy and developments in this area. In tandem with this, a meetings...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 179 together. Human rights are, and have always been, a priority of successive Irish Governments and a key plank of our foreign policy. Through the formal framework of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, which was established in 1995, the EU continues to share with China its experience in the field of human rights protection and promotion, and to urge...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I am deeply concerned at the current situation which has seen escalating violence in recent days, notably the appalling indiscriminate bombing that struck the city of Damascus on 10 May as well as continued shelling of urban centres, such as the town of Rastan, by Syrian armed forces. While there had been some initial diminution of violence following the ceasefire which originally came into...

Written Answers — Irish Communities Abroad: Irish Communities Abroad (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Worldirish.com is a private sector online initiative led by John McColgan aimed at building closer links between the Irish at home and abroad. The idea emerged as a consequence of the first Global Irish Economic Forum in 2009 and was launched during the second Forum at Dublin Castle last October. I received a presentation on the new website during a meeting with Mr McColgan and members of...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (22 May 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of the cases to which the deputy refers. As I have made clear in previous replies, the government of Ireland has no standing in this matter.