Results 10,861-10,880 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (11 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 16 together. I have made clear on a number of occasions, including in this House, my own deep concern and that of the Irish Government and people regarding the overall human rights situation in Bahrain. The approach adopted by the government of Bahrain to those who peacefully seek reform and dialogue is disturbing, in that it highlights the low...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (11 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As I have stated previously in this House, the decision to close the resident Embassy to the Holy See will not be reversed in the immediate term. However, in the context of the budgetary situation, I will continue to review the deployment of our diplomatic resources overseas. Any discussions with the Holy See on arrangements whereby it might be possible to re-establish a resident Embassy at...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (11 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 39 together. 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...

Written Answers — Consular Services: Consular Services (11 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of the situation concerning the person referred to by the Deputy, and have already addressed this matter several times previously. As the person referred to is not an Irish citizen, it is not possible for my Department to offer him consular assistance. The Greek authorities are under no legal obligation to assist our Embassy with any requests made in connection with this...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (11 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Roadmap was not an agreement reached with the parties, but was a blueprint presented to the parties by the International Quartet in 2003. It was also endorsed by the UN Security Council in Resolution 1515 of November 2003. The Roadmap envisaged a series of complimentary steps by both sides to build confidence and advance in stages to a final comprehensive peace agreement. Phase One of the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (11 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 26 together. I have stated in reply to previous Questions that I was pleased that the recent hunger strikes were resolved, and in particular that the Israeli authorities had been willing to make changes to the issues which were the subject of the protests. I was particularly pleased that there may be some mitigation of the use of administrative...

Written Answers — Undocumented Irish in the USA: Undocumented Irish in the USA (11 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 37 together. 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...

Written Answers — International Relations: International Relations (11 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The exchange of information between Governments, reporting by diplomatic missions and the assessment of diplomatic personnel are an important aspect of the formulation of foreign policy and the conduct of international relations. For a variety of reasons, including political and commercial, it is important that such exchanges take place in confidence. This is not inconsistent with a...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (11 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The European Youth Parliament Ireland has received funding under the Government's Communicating Europe Initiative for a number of years. A grant of €8,000 was recently approved to EYPI in respect of a range of activities proposed to be held during 2012 and in early 2013 to coincide with our EU Presidency. EYPI sought funding towards the cost of its three regional preliminary conferences...

Written Answers — Trade Agreements: Trade Agreements (11 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No 54 from Deputy Mac Lochlainn on this issue on 13 June, which was as follows: "The Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (ACAA) is a normal technical measure under the existing EU-Israel Association Agreement and Action Plan, and does not represent any upgrading or major change in EU-Israel trade relations. It is...

Written Answers — Peace and Reconciliation Programme: Peace and Reconciliation Programme (11 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: My Department administers the Reconciliation and Anti-Sectarianism funds which assists individuals and organisations involved in reconciliation work and to encourage and facilitate better relations within and between the traditions in the North, between North and South, and between Ireland and Britain. My Department has not received any application for funding from the Justice for the...

Written Answers — Nuclear Proliferation: Nuclear Proliferation (11 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Israel is not a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has never officially declared itself to possess nuclear weapons. It is one of just three states not party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which is acknowledged as a cornerstone of the international non-proliferation regime and the essential foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament. Ireland would very much...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (11 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 35 and 38 together. I refer the Deputies to my answer to Questions Nos. 51 to 55, inclusive, of 28 June, which was as follows: "I have already made clear on a number of occasions, including in this House, my own deep concern and that of the Irish Government and people regarding the general human rights situation in Bahrain. As I have advised the House...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (11 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I have discussed this case with the Secretary of State on a number of occasions, most recently yesterday when we reviewed a number of issues. 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 confirmed that a Royal...

Written Answers — Consular Services: Consular Services (11 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 — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (11 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 46 together. As far as I am aware, neither the European Union nor the United Nations produces a top ten or twenty list of countries in regard to the violations outlined by the Deputy. Human rights concerns remain central to our foreign policy. With its EU partners, Ireland closely monitors the human rights situations in many countries, including...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (11 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy is aware, the case of former Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yulia Tymoshenko, is a matter of deep concern to Ireland, the European Union and the wider international community. I continue to urge the Ukrainian authorities, as a minimum, to facilitate all such medical and human rights related visits. I refer the Deputy to my previous reply on 16 May. Since then, Ms. Tymoshenko has...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (11 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland supports the government of Colombia's efforts to bring about an end to violence and institute a sustainable peace in the country. A sustainable peace must tackle the various social and economic elements underlying the conflict. Our approach, and that of the European Union and UN, is to assist and influence the Colombian government in a manner that results in economic and social...

Written Answers — Western Balkans Issues: Western Balkans Issues (11 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I refer the Deputy to my reply to his question of 22nd May, which addressed the issues raised. There have been two developments of note in the interim period. In relation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the first round of the high level dialogue on accession took place in Brussels in June. This dialogue is a new initiative aimed at helping Bosnia and Herzegovina to move forward in the accession...

Leaders' Questions (12 Jul 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I agree with Deputy Moynihan on two matters, the first of which is the huge of importance of agriculture to the Irish economy. There has been a strong performance in recent times by the agriculture and, in particular, the food sector, which has enormous potential for job creation. Much of Ireland's strong export performance in recent times is due to the performance of our agriculture and...