Results 10,821-10,840 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Consular Services: Consular Services (10 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 72 together. My Department has provided extensive consular assistance to the named person's family since her disappearance in 2008 and continues to liaise with the relevant authorities on their behalf. The police investigation case remains operational and when Embassy officials met with the Judicial Police in Malaga last month they were advised that...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (10 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The European Stability Bill 2012 passed all stages in the Dáil on 20th June and all stages in the Seanad on the 27th June 2012. The European Stability Mechanism Act 2012 (No. 20 of 2012) was signed into law by President Higgins on the 3rd day of July, 2012.

Written Answers — Consular Services: Consular Services (10 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 76 together. I am aware of the situation concerning the two men referred to by the Deputies. As neither of them is an Irish citizen it is not possible for my Department to offer them consular assistance. The Greek authorities are under no legal obligation to assist our Embassy with any requests made in connection with this case, as we have no locus...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (10 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: There are no State agencies, offices or bodies under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (10 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 78 and 82 together. In my replies to earlier Questions about Palestinian hunger strikes, I made clear my continuing concern for Mr. Akram Rikhawi, who was continuing with his protest. He has been on hunger strike now for over 80 days. Although he was for much of this period taking mineral and vitamin supplements, he is believed now to be only taking water,...

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (10 Jul 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. Proposed draft legislation by the British Government to deal with this specific issue as referred to in paragraph 20 of the Weston Park...

Written Answers — Prisoner Releases: Prisoner Releases (10 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 99 together. I have discussed this case with the Secretary of State on a number of occasions, most recently on 27 April. I have been assured that the process which has led to the prisoner's detention fully adhered to the law and that advice was sought from an independent body to verify that this action was pursued in a correct manner. The NIO has...

Written Answers — Treatment of Prisoners: Treatment of Prisoners (10 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The issue of prisons within Northern Ireland is a devolved matter to the Northern Ireland Executive and, specifically, to the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Prison Service. Arising from the Hillsborough Agreement of February 2010, Dame Ann Owers and the Prison Review Team undertook a review of the prison system. In October 2011 their report made forty...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (10 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I understand that the Ukrainian Parliament has discussed draft legislation which could ban activities which allegedly promote homosexuality. As the Deputy will be aware, I am on record as having expressed concern about any legislation that could result in further stigmatisation, and even criminalisation, of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people. In relation to this issue, I will...

Written Answers — Fiscal Compact Treaty: Fiscal Compact Treaty (10 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I do not expect any changes to be made to the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance as a result of the election of President Francois Hollande. Both before and after his election, President Hollande made clear his wish to see the Treaty complemented by an agenda for Growth and Jobs at European level, an approach the Government Strongly supported. At its meeting on 28/29 July, the...

Written Answers — Paramilitary Groups: Paramilitary Groups (10 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 to 87, inclusive, together. The peace process and the Good Friday Agreement have resulted in a transformation of society in Northern Ireland, perhaps most visibly in the normalisation of daily life and the dramatic decrease in terrorist-related incidents and violence. There remains, however, a threat from paramilitary groups who continue to assert their...

Written Answers — EU Presidency: EU Presidency (10 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Getting the European economy back on track by improving the European Union's global competitiveness, promoting economic growth and creating jobs will be the central theme of Ireland's EU Presidency. Peace, security and development, within an open and transparent rules bound system are essential for sustainable growth and job creation and my Department will focus on a range of key policy...

Written Answers — Undocumented Irish in the USA: Undocumented Irish in the USA (10 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The welfare of the Irish abroad is a very important priority for the Government. There are particular concerns in the United States where addressing the position of the undocumented Irish and reforming our migration arrangements are priorities for the Government in its contacts with the US Administration and Congress. The Government's keen interest in a resolution of the situation for...

Written Answers — North-South Ministerial Council: North-South Ministerial Council (10 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) meets in three formats: Plenary, Institutional and Sectoral. To date in 2012 there have been 16 Sectoral meetings, an Institutional meeting on 27 April and a Plenary meeting on 15 June. The next Institutional meeting is planned for the early autumn and the next Plenary is scheduled for 2 November 2012. At the meeting in Plenary format at Farmleigh...

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (10 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Swedish research paper referred to by the Deputy is a useful historical document covering Ministerial attendance across all Member States at EU Council meetings between 2000 and 2010. This shows that Ireland was ranked 5th during the 2000 to 2010 period. However, this has been significantly improved upon by the current Government. In 2011 Ireland rose to 2nd overall in terms of...

Written Answers — Consular Services: Consular Services (10 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I wish to assure the Deputy that my Department is very aware of the appalling situation in which these students have found themselves and we are in regular communication with the students in Florida and their families in Ireland through our Consulate in Atlanta and our Consular Division here in Dublin. Ireland's Consul General in Atlanta, Paul Gleeson, travelled to Florida on Thursday and...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (10 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland had 56 Embassies, 7 multilateral missions and 10 Consulates General and other offices overseas. In addition to their country of primary accreditation, many Ambassadors are also accredited to additional countries on a non-resident basis. There are also 94 Honorary Consuls located in 54 locations around the world which assist primarily with consular functions on behalf of my...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (10 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: In December 2011 the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees and the Government of Iraq agreed a process for the closure of Camp Ashraf in Iraq, whose terms were accepted by the camp residents. This process began in February, under the supervision of the UNHCR and the UN Special Representative Martin Kobler. Of the 3,400 residents in Camp Ashraf, about 2,000 have now transferred to...

Written Answers — Economic and Monetary Union: Economic and Monetary Union (10 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The question of the future direction of the European Union is, of course, a matter for all 27 Member States. For its part, the Government has expressed its strong view that any future arrangements must avoid fragmentation of the Union and that maintaining the integrity of the Single Market is a matter of the highest importance. At the European Council meeting on 28/29 June, President Van...

Overseas Missions (11 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: On 21 April, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2043 (2012) authorising the establishment of the UN supervision mission in Syria, UNSMIS, for an initial 90 day period. Six members of the Defence Forces have been deployed as unarmed military observers to the mission since 11 May. UNSMIS's mandate is to monitor and report on the security situation and on any transgression...