Results 11,561-11,580 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Foreign Affairs Council: Discussion with Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (21 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: First of all, as regards Gaza, the latest information I have from our embassy is that a ceasefire is expected to be announced shortly. The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, is there at the moment and I understand it is expected that a ceasefire will be announced shortly. Clearly, that would be really welcome. Deputy Crowe mentioned the number of people who have been killed. There...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Foreign Affairs Council: Discussion with Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (21 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Foreign Affairs Council: Discussion with Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (21 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: First of all, the issue of external trade policy and controls is an EU competence rather than a national one. The issue of how we vote at the UN is a national one. Ultimately, it is a decision for us as a State. Second, at a practical level, any step that is taken needs to be effective. Clearly, the whole purpose of what we are trying to do is to give clout to the EU position, which was...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Foreign Affairs Council: Discussion with Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (21 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I would be happy to have that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Foreign Affairs Council: Discussion with Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (21 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Let me answer about the DRC, or does the Chairman want to take other questions? I am in his hands.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Foreign Affairs Council: Discussion with Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (21 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I will start with Deputy Byrne's question on the way in which OSCE election monitoring is done. There has been a long-established OSCE practice in regard to election monitoring. One of the difficulties is that there is an expectation and an clamour immediately following elections for the report on what the election monitors concluded. The election takes place and the world's press is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Foreign Affairs Council: Discussion with Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (21 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Presidency will be hugely challenging. Since the Lisbon arrangements, the European Council is chaired by President Van Rompuy and the Foreign Affairs Council is chaired by High Representative Catherine Ashton. I have spoken to her about how we are going to share the burden during the six months and on the agenda is the issue of EU dialogue with Cuba. I expect to be involved with that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Foreign Affairs Council: Discussion with Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (21 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Senator Walsh referred to the position regarding Syria. I have outlined the approach we are taking with regard to the recognition of the coalition in Syria. Our view, which is shared by other member states, is that we do not want to rush into recognition and we should monitor how the position evolves and who exactly is involved. That the opposition groups have come together is a good...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Foreign Affairs Council: Discussion with Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (21 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I will revert to the Deputy directly on that issue. Given that the Minister of State, Deputy Joe Costello, has taken a particular interest in the matter, I will seek to obtain a separate reply for the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (22 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I understand that the Ambassador of Finland to the Holy See is appointed on a non-resident basis, similar to our own. As I have stated consistently, the decision to close Ireland’s 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Immigration Policy (22 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I wish to advise the Deputy that the visa and immigration requirements for foreign countries are solely a matter for the appropriate authorities in those countries and outside of my remit. Visa and immigration matters, both legislation and policy, in this jurisdiction are a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (22 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Human rights are, and have always been, a priority of successive Irish Governments and a cornerstone of our foreign policy. The Government closely follows human rights issues in China, including reports of organ harvesting, and is concerned about the situation. The information which accompanied your question was provided by the Irish Falun Dafa Association. In April officials from the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (22 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 to 59, inclusive, together. Though tensions had risen following a number of incidents on either side in recent weeks, the latest round of violence was triggered by sustained rocket attacks launched on towns in Israel from Gaza. There was further escalation with the targeted killing of a senior Hamas leader. In statements on 15 and 18 November, I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency (27 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: With Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union starting in just under five weeks, I will continue to discuss the priority issues for our Presidency with our partners. At all my meetings I shall emphasise that the main focus of the Irish Presidency will be on measures to create jobs and restore growth in Europe. I will also take the opportunity to discuss the busy...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Budget (27 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together. In the negotiations on the EU Budget Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) Ireland has argued for a properly funded and properly functioning EU, with the right mix of priorities, fair allocation of resources and a focus on jobs and growth. Ensuring a properly-funded Common Agricultural Policy is central to this. Negotiations on the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Import Regulations (27 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The matter concerned falls within the responsibility of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (27 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I am fully conscious of Ireland’s obligations under international law, including human rights and humanitarian law. My Department has received and examined a number of legal opinions on this issue commissioned by NGOs. The legal issues which they raise had already been considered by my Department in advising me on this issue. I remain satisfied that a ban on settlement products can...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (27 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 179 together. I am deeply concerned about the recent misappropriation of €4 million of Irish development funding in Uganda. Ireland has no tolerance for fraud or any other form of financial irregularity in relation to our development programme. I have suspended approximately €16 million of Irish development assistance which was due to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (27 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The promotion and safeguarding of human rights, particularly those of minority groups, is a central element of Ireland’s foreign policy. I share the widespread concerns about the difficult situation faced by the LGBT community in Uganda and certain other countries in the region. I am particularly concerned about developments in relation to the draft Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which was...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade with Israel (27 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland’s exports to Israel currently amount to nearly €900mn per annum. Israel is an important trading partner. 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. All relevant state agencies and semi-state bodies are thus engaged with...