Results 12,161-12,180 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Human Rights Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Representatives of this Government are keeping a close eye on the case. My officials in Belfast are in touch with the case and report to us regularly. I have taken an ongoing interest, as the Deputy knows. We are in continual contact with the British authorities and the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland on the matter. We will maintain this level of contact.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Human Rights Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Deputy can be assured that our officials will monitor the issue very closely.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The welfare of the Irish abroad in general and especially the position of undocumented Irish immigrants in the United States remains an important priority for the Government. A resolution of the situation for undocumented Irish immigrants will continue to be pursued by the Government in our ongoing contacts with the US Administration and Congress. The advice of Ireland's friends and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: This issue has two aspects, first of which is the position of the undocumented Irish in the US. We estimate that there are approximately 50,000. As Deputy Smith mentioned, some of them have been living in the US for some time and cannot return home for funerals. They are in difficult circumstances. We are anxious to have their position regularised. Second, we have been advancing an idea...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: This is very much a priority for the Government. I do not wish to create false expectations as there have been false dawns on immigration reform and visa related issues in the United States. However, it is clear that positive signals have been made. Speeches by President Obama have been absolutely explicit. He has said he wants to see legislation on the issue. On foot of that, the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I am very aware of the cases to which the Deputy refers and my officials monitor these and other cases very closely. The first individual referred to has been detained since 13 May 2011, following the revocation of her life licence by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Genuine concerns about several aspects of this case have been raised by Deputies on many occasions, and I have...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Two cases were referred to in the question. In one case a Supreme Court case is shortly to be held on it so I cannot say anything much further in that regard. In the second case the individual was sentenced to two life terms of imprisonment – 20 years imprisonment to run concurrently. In March 1975 the individual concerned was transferred from prison in England to Armagh Prison....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: In one case, as I said, there will be a Supreme Court hearing and my information is that it is due to be held shortly. A date was set for it earlier in the month but the hearing was not held on that date. I understand a new date will be set for it shortly. My understanding is that the parole commissioners will hear the Marian Price case in early March. Three dates have been indicated to...

Other Questions: Nuclear Proliferation (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I issued a statement on 12 February condemning in the strongest possible terms the decision by the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea, the DPRK, to test a nuclear explosive device on 12 February 2013. This action directly threatens peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and was a clear violation of North Korea’s international obligations under United Nations...

Other Questions: Nuclear Proliferation (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Deputy has asked a number of questions. In regard to the comments which were made in Geneva yesterday by the DPRK that South Korea would face final destruction if it continued to press for tougher sanctions against North Korea at the United Nations, the comments which were made by the DPRK representative at the conference on disarmament in Geneva yesterday are totally unacceptable and...

Other Questions: Nuclear Proliferation (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: On Deputy Crowe's point on the issue of isolation, Ireland has diplomatic relations with North Korea. We do not have a resident embassy there but through our diplomatic relations we make our point of view very clearly known and independently known. Over many decades Ireland has taken a leading role in regard to nuclear non-proliferation. We are very clear in our view. We are one of the...

Other Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: As I said in my earlier response, the position of the undocumented Irish immigrants in the United States is an important priority for the Government. President Obama has indicated his strong support for progress on comprehensive immigration reform. Work is currently underway in Congress on agreeing the terms of the reform and the indications of emerging bipartisan support for reform are...

Other Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: We have to recognise when circumstances change. Anybody addressing this question a year or more ago would certainly have said that comprehensive immigration reform was largely off the agenda in the United States. It is back on the agenda now and we must recognise that. It has been put back on the agenda because it was an issue in the United States presidential election and President Obama...

Other Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I am not sure that it helps our cause to engage in commentary on the politics of the United States. The politics of the United States is a matter for the people of that country, the Congress and Senate and I am not going to engage in a discussion on which Administration, Congress or majority holds a particular view. As far as we are concerned, as a Government we will work with both sides of...

Other Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I am inviting Deputy Deasy to give me his list of contacts in the Republican Party.

Other Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: We must understand that immigration has been a big political issue in the United States for a long time. It is perfectly understandable that the issue of immigration will be linked to issues of border security and to security generally, given what the United States experienced just over a decade ago. We must be mindful of that. That is the approach that will be taken to this issue. While...

Other Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: We are continuing our efforts to secure the E3 visas. This was at the top of the agenda until the possibility of comprehensive immigration reform came up again. We are continuing our efforts on the E3 visa issue.

Other Questions: International Agreements (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: As requested, I am providing the Deputy with a list of international agreements which Ireland has signed but not ratified. The list has been prepared according to the information available to my Department and aims to be as comprehensive as possible. The two-step process whereby a state will first sign an international agreement, and then ratify it later, is the usual manner in which...

Other Questions: International Agreements (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: In some countries, once they sign the agreement, it automatically comes into force in domestic law. Our Constitution is different. It states that the signing of an international agreement can only have effect once a decision is made in the Oireachtas to ratify it and give it effect. Often legislation is required for the ratification process. Sometimes a Minister will await the next...

Other Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 29, 30, 33, 63, 66 and 67 together. I am very aware of the cases to which the Deputy refers and my officials monitor these and other cases very closely. The first individual referred to has been detained since 13 May 2011 following the revocation of her life licence by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Genuine concerns about several aspects...