Results 12,481-12,500 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: On the issue raised by Deputy O'Sullivan and the horrendous reports of rape in a number of countries, Ireland takes a very active interest. Where necessary, our ambassadors and embassies undertake work in this regard. I discussed the issue recently with Michelle Bachelet, executive director of UN Women. We also have a very strong position on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325,...

Other Questions: Common Foreign and Security Policy (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland is taking an active interest in the EEAS review, which was also the subject of discussions at the informal meeting of EU foreign Ministers which I co-hosted with the EU High Representative, Baroness Ashton, in Dublin last weekend. We support a strong European External Action Service that fulfils the vision set out in the Lisbon treaty of an effective and coherent EU foreign policy....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Numbers (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Audit Committee of my Department consists of six members who are fully independent of the Department and act in a voluntary capacity. Thus, there are no Departmental staff on the Department’s Audit Committee. The Evaluation and Audit Unit is currently staffed with thirteen officers (including one part-time). This comprises of: A Head of Unit Five Accountant Auditors Four...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) provides funding to non-profit organisations and projects to support Irish communities overseas and to facilitate the development of more strategic links between Ireland and the global Irish. The emphasis of the Emigrant Support Programme is on supporting culturally sensitive, frontline welfare services,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union Stability (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Over the past six decades, the European Union has contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe. It has transformed a continent that for so long was torn apart by war and division, shattering the lives of millions. This has been achieved through an unprecedented process of political, economic and social cooperation among the countries of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Taoiseach and I discussed a number of issues with President Obama during our meeting on 19 March, including the economic situation in Ireland, the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, Northern Ireland, the prospects for immigration reform in the US and the situation in Syria. We briefed the President on developments in relation to the Irish economy and gave an update...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: On 16 June 2011, the UN Human Rights Council endorsed "Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights”. The Guiding Principles cover a range of issues which in this State span the policy responsibilities of a number of Government Departments and agencies. Consideration is currently being given as to how to address these Guiding Principles and also the European Commission’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: As part of my visit to the US over the St. Patrick’s Day period, I had a bilateral meeting with Secretary of State Kerry in Washington D.C. on 18 March. This followed recent meetings in Rome on 27 February and in Shannon on 6 March. We discussed a range of subjects including Northern Ireland, the Irish economy, international issues including the Middle East peace process, and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 42 together. Led by High Representative Ashton, the E3+3 (UK, France, Germany, USA, Russia and China), have been engaged in a patient dual-track diplomatic effort with Iran, consisting of engaging in talks while at the same time applying sanctions, in order to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the widespread international concerns about aspects of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Commission on the Status of Women (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global policy-making body on issues relating to gender equality and advancement of women. The 57th session of the Commission on the Status of Women took place from 4 to 15 March 2013. The priority theme for the session was the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls. The outcome...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cross-Border Projects (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: My Department provides funding to cross border projects through its Reconciliation and Anti-Sectarianism Funds. The purpose of these Funds is to assist organisations involved in reconciliation work, to support efforts to create better understanding between people on the island of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain, and to assist local initiatives aimed at tackling sectarianism. Funding...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: There is no prohibition under Irish law on Irish citizens holding the passport of another State. The Passport Service does not require that an applicant for an Irish passport, as part of the regular application process, provide details of any foreign passports held. Therefore, information on the number of Irish passport holders that hold passports of other states is not available. There are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 25 together. I am very aware of the cases to which the Deputies refer 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 have repeatedly been raised about...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Travel (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 48 and 54 together. As part of the Government’s St. Patrick's Day "Promote Ireland" programme 2013, I visited Atlanta, New Orleans and Washington DC from 14-20 March. In Atlanta, I undertook a range of business networking and investment promotion events. In particular, I hosted an "Invest in Ireland" business forum for IDA client and target...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 35 and 44 together. I share the widespread concerns about the human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The country has been ravaged by a long series of violent conflicts. Millions of innocent civilians have been killed, injured or displaced from their homes. There have been systematic abuses of human rights, extremely high...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: While much attention has focussed on the difficulties produced at an individual level by the network of controls and movement restrictions which Israel imposes on Palestinians, these measures have cumulatively also had a disastrous effect on the Palestinian economy. The economy of the West Bank effectively collapsed under the impact of these controls over ten years ago; and the degree of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 33 together. The Government remains firmly committed to ensuring the full and effective implementation of the Good Friday and St. Andrew’s Agreements. In contacts with the British government, we continue to stress the importance of implementation of all aspects of the Agreement, including of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland which takes...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Treaties (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 73 and 74 together. An unprecedented economic crisis has faced the European Union, and more specifically the euro zone, over recent years. While our response has being sometimes criticised, great strides have, in fact, been made in dealing with these exceptional and complex circumstances. EU institutional architecture per se has not fundamentally...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Foreign Affairs Council on 18 February which I attended devoted considerable attention to reviewing the current EU sanctions which apply against Syria. The issue was further discussed at the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers which took place in Dublin last weekend and which I co-hosted with High Representative Ashton. This discussion will continue at the next Foreign Affairs...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Conventions (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: My Hungarian counterpart János Martonyi has recently written to all EU Foreign Ministers informing them about changes to the Hungarian Constitution which were subsequently approved by the Hungarian Parliament. The changes have prompted the European Commission and a number of Member States to express concern that the amendments are not compatible with the fundamental values and...