Results 12,981-13,000 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Order of Business (23 May 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I do not have a date for the publication of the Bill.

Order of Business (23 May 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The concerns of people in defined-benefit pension schemes is an issue the Government is taking very seriously, in particular the Minister for Social Protection. The European Court of Justice recently gave judgment in a case which relates to this issue and that case must now revert to the High Court. We must await the outcome of these proceedings before we can address the legislative...

Order of Business (23 May 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: There are policy issues which are being considered in relation to both Bills. In the case of the Children First Bill, the views of the joint committee on significant policy, operational and legal issues are being formulated.

Order of Business (23 May 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: My information is that both Bills are to be dealt with this session.

Order of Business (23 May 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I can only give the Deputy the information I have. My book says that these Bills-----

Order of Business (23 May 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: No, no. The Minister of Children and Youth Affairs is dealing with these issues in a very competent and serious way as the Deputy well knows. The information I have is that these two Bills are down for this session.

Order of Business (23 May 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Courts Bill is on Committee Stage in the Seanad.

Order of Business (23 May 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: It is on Committee Stage.

Order of Business (23 May 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I do not have a date for it but I will communicate with the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (23 May 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: We currently maintain diplomatic relations with 176 states. Economic and trading opportunities are a key focus in those relations. While the research involved in identifying countries which have not received a Ministerial visit since the foundation of the State would be disproportionate in the current context, I can assure the Deputy that Ministerial visits are a central part of the...

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

Eamon Gilmore: Every year since 2004, the United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution expressing its grave concerns about the deteriorating human rights situation in Iran. In 2011 a mandate for a UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran was created by the Human Rights Council. According to the Special Rapporteur’s report of February 2013 there continue to be...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Teachers' Remuneration (28 May 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to answer Questions 131 and 139 together. I understand that the teachers’ dispute with the ISM in Tripoli has been ongoing for some time. The case, however, has only been brought to the attention of my Department recently. The issue is currently being handled by the Department of Education and Science and the State Examinations Commission (SEC), which has been in direct...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (28 May 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. The Government have also attached great importance to providing for future flows of migration between Ireland and the United States through the extension of the so called E3 visa scheme to include Irish citizens. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency Engagements (28 May 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: As part of the programme for the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade organised a conference entitled ‘10 Years after Thessaloniki: An appraisal of the EU perspective and challenges in the Western Balkans’ at Farmleigh on 24 May 2013. This event was co-sponsored by the Institute of International and European Affairs. The purpose...

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

Eamon Gilmore: The current staffing information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table. The figures take account of officers on secondment to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade whose salaries and other costs are in some cases borne by the parent Department or Office concerned. Also included is a small number of staff indirectly engaged through local employment agencies. It would be...

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

Eamon Gilmore: More than two years after it first erupted, the conflict in Syria continues to be one of the greatest challenges confronting the international community. The dimensions of the crisis are truly daunting. An estimated 80,000 people have lost their lives; one-third of Syrians have either fled the country, are internally displaced or are otherwise in need of assistance; and there is an ever...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Court of Human Rights Judgments (29 May 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I have understood the Deputy's question to relate to judgments and decisions of the European Court of Human Rights concerning Ireland. The European Court of Human Rights issues judgments and decisions relating to the European Convention on Human Rights. The Court and Convention operate within the framework of the Council of Europe rather than the European Union, but it is hoped that the EU...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Fund for Ireland (29 May 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 to 63, inclusive, together. As I advised in my reply to PQ Reference No. 21088/13 of 7 May 2013, the decision to cease funding of the Wider Horizons Programme was taken by the Board of the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) which is an independent organisation. I understand that this decision was taken due to the very significant reduction in funds...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Teachers' Remuneration (29 May 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I understand that the teachers’ dispute with the ISM in Tripoli has been ongoing for some time. The case, however, has only been brought to the attention of my Department recently. The issue is currently being handled by the Department of Education and Science and the State Examinations Commission (SEC), which has been in direct contact with the ISM in Tripoli regarding the unpaid...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (29 May 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Passport Service wrote to the applicant in October of last year requesting further information in relation to the application. The application will be considered further on receipt of a response to the request.