Results 11,281-11,300 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Issues (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Africa is endowed with considerable natural resources that can help accelerate growth and tackle poverty on the continent if used well. In recent years there have been frequent and substantial new findings of oil and gas in Africa, including in some of the partner countries the Government supports through our development cooperation programme, Irish Aid. Because of the development...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (17 Oct 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: In 2011 my Department has issued payments as follows: Payments No. of payments % of payments Payments issued within 30 days of receipt of the invoice 7437 97.74 Payments issued between 30 and 60 days of receipt of the invoice 132 1.73 Payments issued between 60 and 90 days of receipt of the invoice 28 0.37 Payment issued between 90 and 120 days of receipt of the invoice 8...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The promotion of freedom of religion and belief has been at the forefront of Ireland’s human rights agenda for twenty years. While fully recognising the importance of freedom of expression, Ireland also recognises the need for respect for all religions or beliefs. Religious hatred or intolerance cannot be accepted. We condemn any advocacy of religious hatred that constitutes...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Despite a difficult global economic environment, Ireland’s total trade in goods increased in each of the past three years. The total value of merchandise exports in 2011 was €91,595m, up 2.4% from 2010, while merchandise imports were valued at €48,286m, up 6% on 2010. This resulted in a merchandise trade surplus of €43,309m. For the first eight months of 2012...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency Expenditure (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 67 together. As outlined in my reply to Deputies Martin and Adams yesterday the 16th October 2012 [34339/12 (137), 42928/12 (145) and 42808/12 (151) ], the Government is committed to making Jobs and Growth the central focus and thematic approach to the Irish Presidency. To successfully deliver on that objective we need to tackle the ongoing financial...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I have made clear my view that the continuing Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territory, and the ongoing settlement construction project, are now the major obstacles to a lasting peace between Israel and its Arab neighbours, including the Palestinians. Settlement construction is not only illegal under international law, but it inherently involves injustice to Palestinians and further...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 46 on today’s Order paper, which was as follows: “The EU has a clear and long-standing policy that the solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or Israeli-Arab conflict must be a two-state solution, involving a sovereign state of Palestine co-existing peacefully with Israel. Ireland has made a strong contribution from the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As I have previously stated, the human rights situation in Iran is profoundly disturbing, and the period since the Presidential election of 2009 has been characterised by an intensification of human rights abuses on many fronts. Although it is difficult to gain reliable statistics and information on human rights abuses in Iran, there are a number of reputable and thorough sources and reports...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Access (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 73 together. Ireland’s longstanding relationship with Africa is maturing as the continent undergoes dramatic change. Yet we remain conscious of the serious obstacles that must be overcome if Africa is to enjoy a stable and prosperous future. Ireland attaches high importance to the development of relations with the countries of Africa, to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (17 Oct 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 refer the Deputy to my previous reply on 11 July. Since then, on 29 August, Ms. Tymoshenko’s appeal against her conviction was rejected by Ukraine’s High Specialised Court. This was a very...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland does not produce or maintain a “top ten” 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 post-conflict countries, throughout the world. We do this on the basis of information...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I have on a number of occasions stated clearly my grave concerns at the appalling situation in Syria. I have repeatedly condemned the unacceptable human rights violations and brutality which are now estimated to have claimed well over 20,000 lives since the conflict first erupted in March 2011. There is no doubting the widespread international revulsion generated by the conflict over the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consultancy Contracts (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: My Department manages expenditure under two Votes - Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and Vote 27 (International Co-Operation). It commissions consultancy services where specialised knowledge and/or skills are not available within the Department and, in the case of Ireland’s official overseas aid programme (Irish Aid), where independent appraisal, audit, monitoring and evaluation of programmes...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legal Matters (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Litigation is dealt with on my Department’s behalf by the Chief State Solicitor’s Office and the State Claims Agency who engage lawyers to act for the Department where necessary in relation to personal injuries claims and other matters. As fees for counsel and solicitors form one part of the overall legal and settlement costs (which are often billed together), I regret that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consultancy Contracts (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: My Department engages professional services in a number of areas where the required skills are not available in-house and it is more cost-effective to source them externally. Details of payments in the period in question are included in the tables below in respect of Vote 27 (International Cooperation) and Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade). Vote 28 Foreign Affairs and Trade External...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Airport Security (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: There are many automatic border control machine systems in operation around the world with different criteria required to use these machines. Some systems operate on the basis of a trusted traveller programme where pre-registration is required. Others incorporate pre-registration with other requirements. In the case of US Global Entry, access is limited to US citizens, lawful permanent...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (18 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland’s trade with Israel currently amounts to over €1bn per annum. Israel is an important trading partner and under its trade promotion strategy, the Government is committed to growing Ireland’s exports in all foreign markets, and expanding our trade footprint outside our main trading partners. The export and import figures are laid out below. €m Services...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (18 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I am pleased to confirm that the Passport Service already offer a passport reminder service available at . The service sends passport holders a reminder by e-mail three months before a passport is due to expire. At the moment, Passport holders must register for this service, where name, e-mail address and the expiry date of the passport is all that is required. The Passport Service is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Expenditure (18 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The plaques in question were erected about 50 years ago when the Villa Spada was the location of our Embassy to the Holy See. They have been removed following the closure of the resident Embassy to the Holy See and are being replaced by plaques which, for the purpose of assisting Irish citizens and other visitors, will accurately identify the Villa Spada as the location of our Embassy to the...