Results 11,641-11,660 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Estimates for Public Services 2012 (6 Dec 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I move:"Estimates for Public Services [2012]: Vote 25 — Environment, Community and Local Government (Supplementary Estimate). That a supplementary sum not exceeding €1,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2012, for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for the Environment,...

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Financial Resolution No. 15: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: This is a difficult and hard budget that will hit many people’s pockets. However, it also is a necessary, honest and fair budget. This budget is not an end in itself but is a step that, as a country, we must take on the road to recovery. This is the budget that takes us 85% of the way and it is a bridge to the future. For weeks, all one has heard from the Opposition is fairytale...

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Financial Resolution No. 15: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The hypocrisy we have heard from that quarter now comes with a price attached.

Financial Resolutions 2013 - Financial Resolution No. 15: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: For the people of Ireland, what this budget does is bring the end into sight. No one can understate the sacrifices and no one should overstate what has been achieved. However, we can see progress and it is being made with a purpose. Even in these most difficult times, we have the resources to drive important reforms and we have protected those who most need to be protected. This is the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (6 Dec 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. In my statement of 3 December I made clear the Government’s concern and strong criticism of the announcement by Israel of 3,000 additional settlement units in East Jerusalem, as well as plans to proceed with settlement expansion in the critical E1 area, which would complete the isolation of arab East Jerusalem from the...

Topical Issue Debate: Northern Ireland Issues (11 Dec 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The return of violence to the streets of Belfast, the intimidation of public representatives and the attacks on members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, PSNI, during the past eight days are matters of deep concern to the Government, Members of this House and Irish people everywhere who support the peace process. The scenes of violence and...

Topical Issue Debate: Northern Ireland Issues (11 Dec 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I agree with the Deputy that there has been great progress in Northern Ireland. There must be constant vigilance in order to ensure peace is maintained and built upon. That is why I remain in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister. My Department maintains regular contact with the political parties and members of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Applications (11 Dec 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: Foreign Conflicts (11 Dec 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of the particular case referred to in the Deputy’s question. I have the fullest understanding and sympathy with anyone who feels moved to declare themselves a conscientious objector, and I believe that it is a mark of the maturity and humanity of a society that it treats such cases with sympathy and respect. However, it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (11 Dec 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of reporting in relation to this individual by an Irish film maker who was recently in Gaza. My Department had not previously had any record of contact in relation to him, from family or NGOs. The NGO with which we usually deal on prisoners’ issues do not have any record of him. Another NGO has a record of an Ayman Taleb Abu Siteh, who is likely to be the same individual,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (11 Dec 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland, together with our partners in the European Union, share the widespread concerns in relation to the draft Anti-Homosexuality Bill which is currently under consideration at committee level in the Ugandan Parliament. We have been advocating strongly against the adoption of the proposed law. I raised the issue directly with President Museveni when I visited Uganda in July and I asked...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (11 Dec 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy may be aware from previous replies in relation to this Irish citizen, my officials remain in close and direct contact with the person’s spouse and family and liaise directly with them on any request for assistance or on any development on this case. The Ambassador and officers in the Embassy in New Delhi, which is accredited to Sri Lanka, have also been very active in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (11 Dec 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The outcome of the recent US Presidential election would appear to have advanced the prospects for the necessary reform of US immigration systems and procedures that would help improve the situation of undocumented Irish immigrants in the United States. Much further debate and discussion is likely to be required within the US political system as to what such reform might comprise. Through...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Services (11 Dec 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Since March 2011, my Department has introduced the Certificate of Irish Heritage scheme. Having considered the technology and marketing expertise required to underpin the successful operation of the Certificate of Irish Heritage internationally, the Department decided to implement the service as a concession. This concession was awarded to FEXCO following a public tender published in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (11 Dec 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: At the outset, I should point out that the standard printed text detail on each passport is jointly in the Irish and English languages. Other languages appear in a much smaller degree in the text on the data and observation pages of the book. The text and format of this print meets ICAO standards and is consistent with best international practice. In terms of the name that can appear on a...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (12 Dec 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I listened to what Deputy Stephen Donnelly said about the debate he had on radio with the German ambassador. He told us much of what the ambassador and other people he has been speaking to have been saying but unfortunately he did not tell us what he said in return, although I imagine we can find that out. l hope he drew the attention of the ambassador and others with whom he spoke to the...

Topical Issue Debate: Report on Murder of Pat Finucane (12 Dec 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Some 23 years ago Pat Finucane was brutally murdered by loyalist paramilitaries in front of his wife, Geraldine, and three children, Michael, Catherine and John. Geraldine has since campaigned tirelessly to get to the truth about her husband's murder. Along the way she has had to endure the frustration of seeing evidence destroyed, justice obstructed and her husband's reputation impugned....

Topical Issue Debate: Report on Murder of Pat Finucane (12 Dec 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: More than 3,500 people died during the Troubles and every man, woman and child who died left behind relatives and friends who mourn the loss of their loved ones to this day. I have met many of those relatives, as have other Members, and we all know the pain they endure and the accommodation they have been asked to make for peace. We should not lose sight of the fact the majority of victims...

Confidence in the Government: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (12 Dec 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government was elected to resolve the deep crisis inflicted on the country. This is a crisis with its roots in the greed and recklessness of the banks and the developer class, as well as the irresponsibility and political opportunism of the party opposite that they supported. For too many of the people, the crisis is about surviving. It is about surviving the loss of a job, with a...

Confidence in the Government: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (12 Dec 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: What are we doing by our actions to leave the country in a better position than we found it? That is what every single Member was elected to do, not to exploit the problem but to fix it. The motion tabled by Sinn Féin is about exploiting the problem. It is not an attempt to be constructive or about offering an alternative approach. It is sheer political opportunism, which is nothing...