Results 12,201-12,220 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The European Council met on 7 and 8 February to agree the EU Budget Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2014-2020. In the course of negotiations on the MFF Ireland 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 was central to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I have followed with great concern the latest developments in Tunisia and, in particular, the assassination on 6 February of the leader of the Unified Democratic Patriots Party, Chokri Belaid. This is an act of political terrorism which I unreservedly condemn. I join with High Representative Ashton in expressing the hope that the Tunisian authorities will conduct a full investigation into...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The peace process and the Good Friday Agreement have resulted in a transformation of society in Northern Ireland, perhaps most visibly in the dramatic decrease in terrorist-related incidents and violence. There remains, however, a threat from paramilitary groups who are determined to impose a return to conflict on the people of Ireland. My Government colleagues and I discuss cross-border...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Direct Investment (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 56 together. While the question of the British relationship with the European Union is, in the first instance, a matter for Britain itself, I firmly believe that the UK is better off within the European Union, and that the Union is strengthened by having the UK within it. I agree with the strong case set out by Prime Minister Cameron in his recent...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government identified the need to advance the prospects of an EU-US trade and investment agreement as a key priority for Ireland's EU Presidency. I am pleased to report that significant progress has already been achieved with the decision of 13 February by EU and US leaders to launch negotiations in the coming months. The EU and the US are two of the world's largest trading blocs and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Food Safety Authority Investigations (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I discussed the equine DNA issue with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Ms. Theresa Villiers in Farmleigh on 11 February. We noted that the issue is now a Europe wide problem and we welcomed the ongoing cooperation and contact between the Irish Food Safety Agency (FSAI) and the Food Safety Agency in Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom. The substantive issue is dealt with by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Affairs (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The European Council on 7-8 February took stock of Europe's relations with its southern neighbours, two years after the first democratic uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt in early 2011, and considered how to enhance the EU’s strategic partnership with the countries of the region. Overall, and while there have been difficult days and many setbacks along the way, as evident in Syria, the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Global Economic Forum (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Global Irish Economic Forum held in 2009 and 2011 and the related Global Irish Network have made a substantive contribution to the Government’s jobs and growth agenda and to the restoration of our international reputation. The Progress Reports of the 2011 Forum, published in March and October 2012, highlight the wide range of outcomes progressed, including the following specific...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: This case has been brought to my attention and I understand that it is due to be examined by the Sentence Review Commissioners in Northern Ireland. That being the case, it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further. The issue of prisons within Northern Ireland is a devolved matter to the Northern Ireland Executive and, specifically, to the Department of Justice in Northern...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Correspondence (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Policy on the placement of a country’s nationals in prison in the European Union is a matter for the democratically elected government and the relevant competent authorities in each Member State in accordance with domestic law and, as such, it would be inappropriate for me to comment.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I have consistently drawn attention to demolition of Palestinian homes and property by Israeli forces, including in the Jordan Valley. This relentless process serves to poison relationships between the two peoples and is the exact opposite of what would be done by a government actively pursuing confidence building and reconciliation. I am seriously concerned by a significant rise in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: State Visits (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Deepening relations between Britain and Ireland, including through high-level visits, is a priority for this Government. The visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 2011 symbolised the modern and friendly relationship of equals which exists between our two countries. Building on the momentum generated by that visit, President Higgins has visit Britain on 3 separate occasions since his inauguration...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Prisons policy in Northern Ireland, and the conditions prevailing within them, is a devolved matter overseen by the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland and an executive agency of that Department, the Northern Ireland Prison Service. I have received a full briefing on the assessment of an Oireachtas delegation that recently visited Maghaberry Prison and can assure the House that we...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government remains firmly committed to ensuring the full and effective implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, including the provision relating to a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. The Good Friday Agreement sets out that a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland would include rights reflecting the principles of mutual respect for the identity and ethos of both communities and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Since the outbreak of street violence in early December, I have had frequent contact, both with the British Government and with party leaders. My most recent meeting with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers MP was here in Dublin on Monday 11 February. We agreed to continue working together to support the parties in Northern Ireland in addressing both the underlying and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Rapid Response Initiative (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: As outlined in my reply to Question No. 6851/13, my Department coordinates the participation by Irish civilians in a number of international operations. In particular we manage the response to requests for participation in UN and EU humanitarian missions through the Rapid Response Corps as well as requests for participation in civilian crisis management missions overseen by the EU’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions No. 77 and No. 78 together. As the Deputy will be aware from previous responses to questions in relation to the person named my officials remain in close and direct contact with the person’s wife and family and they liaise directly with her on all developments in his case. The Ambassador and officers in the Embassy in New Delhi, which is accredited to Sri...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I refer the Deputy to my reply of 16 January concerning this matter. The Deputy will be aware that there was widespread revulsion at the attempted murder of Malala Yousafzai last October. The shooting was condemned by the High Representative/Vice President of the European Commission, Catherine Ashton, and the Secretary General of the Nations, Ban Ki-Moon. I too expressed and continue to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Western Balkans Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 to 82, inclusive, together. EU enlargement is a priority for the Irish Presidency. We see it as a vital tool for promoting reform, democracy and stability in Europe, and we are working to facilitate and advance the process for all candidates and prospective candidates. At the December 2012 General Affairs Council there was substantive discussion on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Exports Growth (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland’s exports have performed well over the past two years. The total value of merchandise exports in 2012 was €92 billion, representing an increase of 3.1% on the 2010 figure (€89 billion), while services exports for the first nine months of 2012 reached €66 billion; an increase of 23% on the same period in 2010 (€54 billion). In terms of our...