Results 12,221-12,240 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

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

Eamon Gilmore: The UK’s relationship with the European Union is a matter, in the first instance, for its Government and people. I would, however, hope to see it continue to play a full and active part into the future and this is something which I and my Ministerial colleagues continue to communicate in our contacts with the British government. Like all Member States, the UK gains from its...

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

Eamon Gilmore: St. Patrick’s Day offers a unique opportunity to promote Ireland’s economic and political interests overseas, with levels of publicity and media attention unmatched by the national day of any other country. This year, as with previous years, it is the intention of the Government to maximise all opportunities generated by Saint Patrick’s Day, including the traditional...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Communities Abroad (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: One of the key priorities for our Missions abroad is to engage on an ongoing basis with Irish communities. St. Patrick’s Day provides an invaluable opportunity to engage directly with Irish communities around the world. St. Patrick’s Day provides an invaluable opportunity to further deepen this interaction. Each Ministerial programme during the period will include substantive...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 89 together. 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...

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

Eamon Gilmore: Neither Ireland nor, as far as I am aware, the European Union or the United Nations maintains a list of countries in regard to the violations highlighted by the Deputy. In our foreign policy, which is expressed in direct contact with other countries or multilaterally through the EU, the UN, and other international bodies such as the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, we...

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

Eamon Gilmore: The imprisonment of Ms Yulia Tymoshenko remains a matter of deep concern to Ireland, to its EU partners and to the wider international community. I refer the Deputy to my reply to the Dáil on this matter on 16 January 2013. In common with our EU partners, we will continue to monitor closely developments in this case. On the issue of due process, the Conclusions adopted by EU Ministers at...

Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The whole area of support for children and families is a hugely important one. When child benefit and the various child support payments are taken into account, the State is currently spending approximately €2.8 billion. As everyone is aware, a public debate has been going on for some time about the best way to direct and spend that money. The Minister for Social Protection...

Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Deputy O'Dea's question demonstrates the value of the approach the Government and the Minister for Social Protection are taking on this issue. It needs a broad discussion. This approach contrasts with that taken by his own party on the issue when in Government.

Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: In the National Recovery Plan 2011-2014, published in 2010, the Government talked about:The development of a rebalanced and integrated child income support payment system. This would provide for a universal component to replace child benefit with one single payment rate per child. This payment will be supplemented with a further payment in the case of children of families in receipt of a...

Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: That was Deputy O'Dea's Government's settled policy in 2010, which it included in the national recovery plan.

Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The approach the Minister for Social Protection is taking is a manifest improvement on that. We have a report of an expert group that addresses the entire issue of child support in its widest sense. We will have a full discussion on it. There will be plenty of time for people to discuss it in a committee. It will be discussed in the Chamber if that is required.

Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I am sure the Minister, Deputy Burton, will be happy to consider suggestions and proposals from Deputy O'Dea or from other Members of the House.

Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Since then we have gone on to implement what was in that document. We have brought forward legislation on personal insolvency to establish a personal insolvency service. The Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has introduced proposals on mortgage-to-rent and a range of measures to support those in mortgage distress. We are not happy with...

Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The cornerstone of Government policy is to enable people to continue to live in their own homes. The greatest fear anyone has is that he will lose his home. The Government approach to the mortgage crisis has been to ensure people are able to live in their own homes. That is why we brought in legislation for the first time in this State that puts in place a range of ways in which agreements...

Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: We talk to the banks all of the time. This is the first Government that has had a serious engagement with the banks about how they deal with mortgage arrears. I have said frankly that we are not satisfied with the speed and urgency with which the banks are dealing with the mortgage issue. Deputies need be in no doubt that we will deal with the issue effectively with the banks. That is the...

Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Deputies only interest in this is to score a political hit.

Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: That is the approach. The Deputy comes in here and has more to say about other political parties and scoring points against them than he does about supporting those in need and mortgage distress. This Government has acted on the issue of mortgages and legislated for it.

Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: This Government will stand by people in mortgage distress.

Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Deputy Boyd Barrett described the way in which the previous Government came in here with legislation and unilaterally cut the pay of those who work in the public services. This Government respects the staff who work in the public services-----

Leaders' Questions (21 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: -----the gardaí, the nurses, those who work in the hospitals, those who work in the schools-----