Results 13,221-13,240 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Shannon Airport Facilities (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 39 together. 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. In this context, permission for foreign military aircraft to land at Irish airports is given only on condition that the aircraft are unarmed, carry...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Marching Season (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The issue of Parades features in almost all of my regular discussions with the British government, the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and with political and community leaders in Northern Ireland. I have spoken in the past two weeks with both the Secretary State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers MP and NI Justice Minister David Ford. We have a shared concern about the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I welcomed the economic package for Northern Ireland announced by the British Prime Minister David Cameron and First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness on 14 June, 2013. I spoke with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers and commended her on the package which represents a strong commitment by the British Government in support of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I welcome the recent progress in efforts to secure a durable solution to the crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In particular, I welcome the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework Agreement for the DRC and the Region, which was concluded in Addis Ababa on 24 February, in the presence of the UN Secretary General. The adoption of the Agreement was welcomed on behalf of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Properties (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: My Department currently utilises 138 premises abroad in pursuit of its mission on behalf of the State. These consist of offices and official residences of Heads of Mission which provide platforms for our Missions to promote Irish economic interests, provide services to the public and represent Ireland in international organisations. These premises need to be maintained, repairs are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: On 18 June, an agreement was concluded in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, between the Malian Government and representatives of two Tuareg militant groups, the MNLA (Mouvement National pour la Libération de l'Azawad) and the HCA (Haut Conseil pour l'Unité de l'Azawad). This Interim Agreement on Presidential Elections and Inclusive Negotiations for Peace provides for an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The escalation of the Syrian conflict has had a direct impact on the operation of United Nations peacekeeping missions in the region and the safety of personnel at these missions.Both of the United Nations peacekeeping missions operating in Syria and neighbouring countries, the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) and the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO),...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Deputy is referring to the announcement on 18 June of the beginning of the final phase of the Transition process that will see the Afghan National Security Forces take full responsibility for security across Afghanistan by the end of 2014. I hope that this will enable Afghanistan to make further progress towards the goal of becoming a peaceful, self-governing and democratic state, based...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: As outgoing Chair-in-Office of the OSCE, Ireland is a member of the OSCE Troika this year, with current Chair-in-Office Ukraine, and Switzerland, which will assume the Chairmanship of the OSCE in 2014. Ireland has shared its experience of chairing the Organisation extensively with both Ukraine and Switzerland at official level and remains in close contact with the Missions of both countries...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The general political and security situation in Libya remains fragile. The persistence of armed militias in many parts of southern and eastern Libya, and the widespread availability of arms in general, continue to pose serious threats to the stability of the state. Most recently, heavy fighting broke out in Benghazi on June 15th after an unidentified militia attacked government troops,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I read with interest a report on the proceedings of the Belfast conference.It is the fixed policy of this government to support the Northern Ireland Executive and all the political parties in Northern Ireland as they address the challenge of securing a shared, peaceful and prosperous future for all the people of Northern Ireland. I welcome the call at the conference that a future for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland is not a party to the Hague Convention (V) respecting the Rights and Duties of Neutral Powers and Persons in Case of War on Land, and there are no plans for it to become one. Incorporation of its provisions into domestic law accordingly does not arise. The Government is fully committed to Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality, which will remain a lynchpin of our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Conflict Resolution (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: There are innumerable cases where the rights and lands of Palestinian villagers are infringed or expropriated to serve the interests of settlements planted on the hills around them. The access of Palestinian villages to major arterial routes such as Highway 60 is increasingly blocked in order to reserve the route for settler traffic, leaving the villages with long, circuitous and irrational...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Israeli Imports (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: It is important to be aware that EU regulations already prohibit misleading labelling of goods, which might lead a consumer to make a different choice than he or she would make if in full possession of the facts. This includes settlement goods. The essential element of voluntary national guidelines already issued by some Member States, and of the EU level guidelines now being considered, is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Budget Issues (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: On 8 February the European Council reached agreement on the EU Budget Multiannual Financial Framework for 2014-2020, the MFF. Under the Lisbon Treaty, the consent of the European Parliament is required before the MFF can be adopted by Council. As Presidency, we have had the responsibility for negotiating the text of the MFF Regulation and the Inter-Institutional Agreement between the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The situation in Somalia continues to be a serious concern for the European Union and the broader international community. A major international Conference on Somalia was convened in London on 7 May and was attended by representatives of more than 50 countries and international organisations. Ireland was represented by the Minister of State for Trade and Development, Mr. Joe Costello T.D....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The ongoing detention of Ms Yulia Tymoshenko, the former Prime Minister of Ukraine, is being monitored closely by Ireland, the European Union and the wider international community. I refer the Deputy to my previous replies of 20 February and 16 May on the matter. Concerns regarding this case, which have been repeatedly expressed by Ireland and its partners, were borne out by the judgment of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Export Statistics (26 Jun 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 2012 reached €90 billion; an increase of 21% on the 2010 figure (€74 billion). The markets which recorded the highest percentage increase...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 73 together. As the Deputy will be aware from my previous replies to his PQs on the subjects, Ireland is supportive of enlargement and of the EU perspective of the countries of the Western Balkans. We see enlargement as a vital tool for promoting reform, democracy and stability in Europe. During our Presidency we have worked to facilitate progress...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The debate in the UK, regarding its membership of the European Union, is set to continue for the foreseeable future. Depending on how events unfold, the outcome of that debate may have consequences for all Member States, not least among them, for Ireland. However undoubtedly, the most profound consequences would be for the UK itself, which must be allowed the time and space to take the course...