Results 12,381-12,400 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Presidential Distinguished Service Awards (12 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: My Department recently commenced the process of seeking nominations for the 2013 Presidential Distinguished Service Awards for the Irish Abroad. Individuals abroad can make nominations through one of our diplomatic Missions. Nominees for this Award will be drawn from the following areas of achievement: Irish community support; Arts, culture and sport; charitable works, business and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (12 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Since the outbreak of street violence in early December, I have had frequent contact with the party leaders within the Northern Ireland Executive. While the situation regarding the flag protests has been calmer in recent weeks, we remain fully engaged in our support of the work of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The persistence of sectarianism in Northern Ireland, with the absence...

European Council: Statements (13 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Which side would the Deputy take on that question?

European Council: Statements (13 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I thank the Deputies who have contributed to this debate. As the Taoiseach said at the outset, the European Council will have an important focus on implementation. Shining a light on the ongoing need for implementation of the many measures which have already been agreed at EU level will represent an important outcome for Ireland and for the Union as a whole. In preparation for this week's...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Application Numbers (13 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The total number of passport applications processed for the period 2010 to 11 March 2013 is detailed as follows: Year Applications 2010 675,324 2011 679,946 2012 714,744 To 11 March 2013 135,525 Demand for passport services is highly seasonal, with almost 50% of applications being received in the four months April – July each year. Therefore the Department employs temporary...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (13 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The 2013 grant round opened on 16 January and closed on 20 February with applications for 358 projects received from 17 countries. The assessment process, which is carried out in conjunction with our missions abroad, is now underway. The focus of the 2013 grants will be on supporting key frontline welfare and advisory services and on projects aimed at supporting new arrivals. I am pleased...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (13 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government’s aid programme, which is managed by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is sharply focused on the fight against global poverty and hunger. Our partnership with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) represents a very important element in this effort. Trócaire is one of a number of Irish NGOs that receives Irish Aid funding for its work to...

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

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 171, 172 and 179 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...

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

Eamon Gilmore: The Government continues to closely monitor reports of human rights abuses of the Rohingya people in Burma/Myanmar and is concerned about the situation. While Ireland’s diplomatic relations with Burma/Myanmar are maintained on a secondary accreditation basis via our Embassy in Vietnam, and through the Embassy of Burma/Myanmar in London, we continue also to work through the mechanisms...

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

Eamon Gilmore: I attended the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on 11 March where an extremely useful exchange of views was held with the UN-League of Arab States Special Envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi. Mr Brahimi briefed the Council on the situation on the ground as well as on the prospects for a political solution to the two-year old conflict. Drawing our attention to the increasingly destructive war...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (20 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I had the pleasure of meeting with the Syrian National Coalition President, Dr Al Khatib, when he addressed the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 10 December. Subsequently, my colleague Joe Costello T.D., Minister of State for Trade and Development, met briefly with Dr Al Khatib and his colleagues at the Friends of Syria meeting in Marrakesh on 12 December. It was suggested that a meeting in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (20 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 to 178, inclusive, together. It is clear that the humanitarian situation in Syria is deteriorating rapidly, causing further suffering and untold hardship for over four million people affected by the crisis. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (OCHA) estimates that almost 70,000 people have been killed as a result of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (20 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: As I have stated consistently, the decision to close the 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 overseas. Any discussions with the Holy See on arrangements whereby it might be possible to re-establish a resident Embassy at a future...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations Resolutions (20 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The question of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) has been the subject of resolutions adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations, as well as its special committee on decolonisation. In its most recent resolution, adopted on 14 June 2012, the committee expressed its regret that, in spite of the widespread international support for negotiation between the two Governments,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (21 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland’s diplomatic network includes 56 Embassies, 7 multilateral Missions and 10 Consulates General and other offices overseas. In addition to their country of primary accreditation, many Ambassadors are also accredited to additional countries on a non-resident basis which enhances the cost-effectiveness of our external representation. Our missions abroad perform a wide range of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (21 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: As I have stated consistently, the decision to close the 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 overseas. Any discussions with the Holy See on arrangements whereby it might be possible to re-establish a resident Embassy at a future...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (21 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952 gives the Minister for Foreign Affairs primary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland. My Department granted permission for the landing of 37 foreign military aircraft at Dublin Airport in 2012. By 19 March 2013, permission had been granted for the landing of 34 such aircraft. Permission...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Information and Communications Technology Issues (21 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 to 65, inclusive, together. Aware of the potential cost to customers, my Department has removed LoCall numbers from websites and new printed documentation as part of an overall policy to phase out this service; this policy is in place since early 2012. My Department has considered integrated voice response but does not consider it appropriate for its...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Presidential Reports (21 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I can confirm that I have received a copy of the seminar report and declaration referred to in the Deputy’s question and have noted the contents with interest. My Department actively supports the development of networks of young Irish people in our overseas communities and encourages young Irish abroad to participate in the many other Irish organisations overseas. I have asked my...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (26 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I remain very concerned about the overall political and human rights situation in Bahrain. I have repeatedly called on the Bahraini Government to demonstrate its commitment to upholding human rights and to implement in full the recommendations of the Bahraini International Commission of Inquiry. The Commission has made specific recommendations which set out the way forward for Bahrain in...