Results 13,401-13,420 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Council of the European Union (Lithuanian Presidency): Motion (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I move:That, in accordance with Standing Order 102A(2)(a), Dáil Éireann notes and welcomes the Government's priorities for the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.”I wish to begin by saying how pleased I am to be here with the newly appointed Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Paschal Donohoe. I wish him well in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Illegal Israeli Imports (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I refer the Deputy to my reply to his Question No 65 (30912/13) on 26 June, which included the following:“In all administrations, labelling of goods is a complex matter, involving numerous different Ministries, policy areas and objectives. At EU level, the EAS is now working through these complex issues with the European Commission to produce draft EU guidelines. This may take some...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Immigration reform was a key feature of my programme in Washington DC and I met with a range of the most significant Congressional leaders on immigration issues from both sides of the US political divide and at senior official level in the White House. These included Congressman Paul Ryan, Congressman Bob Goodlatte, Leader Nancy Pelosi, Congressman Pete King, Congressman Richie Neal,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Issues (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland and Croatia enjoy excellent bilateral and diplomatic relations. This was underlined last month when President Higgins made the first State Visit during his term of office to that country. Subsequently I travelled to Zagreb on 30 June to participate in the celebrations to mark Croatia becoming the twenty-eighth member of the European Union. Croatia’s accession to the EU on 1...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Issues (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: No decision has as yet been taken on the appointment of a new Irish Honorary Consul in Peru. In the interim, visa applicants from Peru will submit their applications directly to the Irish Embassy in Mexico. This situation will be monitored by the Embassy to ensure an acceptable level of service is provided to citizens of Peru.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency Issues (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: No such proposal was made by Poland at the meeting referred to by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Rehiring (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The information requested by the Deputy, which relates to two short-duration consultancies connected with the Irish Aid programme, is provided in the following table. Official Duration of consultancy contract Details Retired official of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 01.02.13 - 28.02.13 To identify and develop five case studies from the Irish Aid programme, in cooperation...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Haddington Road Agreement Savings (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Haddington Road Agreement measures applicable to Government Departments are set out in the collective agreement therein relating to the civil service. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has confirmed that the Agreement will facilitate an overall reduction of €1bn in the public service pay and pensions bill by 2016. In relation to my Department, appropriate reductions...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I do not have direct responsibility for any of the North South Implementation Bodies established under the British Irish Agreement. However, the Ministers who exercise that direct responsibility, together with the corresponding Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive, meet with the Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers of the Bodies at meetings in sectoral format of the North South...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: North-South Implementation Bodies (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The three terms of reference of the review of the existing North South bodies and of North South co-operation generally which is being undertaken in accordance with the St Andrews Agreement, are to examine the existing bodies in terms of efficiency and value for money, to look at the case for additional North South bodies and areas of co-operation and at a replacement for the Irish Lights...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Parades Commission is an independent, quasi-judicial body established under the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998. All organisations and individuals seeking to hold a parade in Northern Ireland must apply for permission to do so from the Commission. In most cases the parades are allowed without any restrictions, however in the absence of local agreement it is required to make...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The tragedies of the past in Northern Ireland have left a deep and profoundly regrettable legacy of suffering. Dealing with the past presents a major challenge for we must never forget those who have died or been injured, and their families. In the context of the “Together: Building a United Community” initiative by the Northern Ireland Executive, the Northern Ireland Assembly...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency Objectives, Foreign Affairs Council and Membership of Human Rights Council: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I thank the Chairperson and the members of the committee. I am pleased to have this opportunity to meet with the committee today to bring members up to date on foreign policy developments in recent months. I propose to focus on three areas in my opening statement: discussions at the Foreign Affairs Council for the second quarter of 2013 and a forward look to the Council on 22 July;...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency Objectives, Foreign Affairs Council and Membership of Human Rights Council: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: It is a very clear signal on the part of the European Union at a number of levels. In the first instance, it is an indication that we are quite unhappy with the situation as it currently obtains - which we want Israel to address - and that we want to encourage both sides to engage with the peace initiative. Yesterday's decision largely relates to the funding of projects by the European...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency Objectives, Foreign Affairs Council and Membership of Human Rights Council: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I thank Deputy Smith for his compliments on the successful Presidency. I pay tribute to the officers and staff of my Department, both in Dublin and in Brussels, and to the officers of the Department of the Taoiseach for the work they have done. On the universal periodic review, UPR, the implementation of the UPR recommendations is taken on board in our partnership with developing states...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency Objectives, Foreign Affairs Council and Membership of Human Rights Council: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: On the issue of illegal settlements, we would support a ban at EU level on settlement goods entering the European Union market. What is being developed by the High Representative and the External Action Service is a set of guidelines for the labelling of settlement products, which we support. Work on that is well advanced and our intention is to work with that. On the reference in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency Objectives, Foreign Affairs Council and Membership of Human Rights Council: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: A number of issues have been raised. Deputy Mitchell asked about water diplomacy and security. On Monday, I expect that the EU's High Representative will provide an update on recent policy developments on water security. The discussion on this issue is part of an increased focus by the High Representative and EU foreign ministers on integrating non-traditional security challenges into the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency Objectives, Foreign Affairs Council and Membership of Human Rights Council: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland has been very clear on the need for a strong inclusive political process to help resolve the conflict in Afghanistan. That includes dialogue with the Taliban. We are in agreement with the emerging consensus that dialogue with the Taliban is necessary as part of the overall effort to convince Taliban leaders to relinquish the armed struggle and to reintegrate into Afghan society....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency Objectives, Foreign Affairs Council and Membership of Human Rights Council: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I will deal first with Syria, raised by Senators Mullen and Walsh. Some 1.6 million people have had to flee the country and are living in refugee camps in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon. That is equivalent to the population of Northern Ireland. When I was in Turkey in April, I visited Gaziantep refugee camp. It was very well managed. As refugee camps go it provided secure accommodation, but...

Leaders' Questions (18 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I join Deputy Dooley in expressing thanks to the Ceann Comhairle, the staff of the House and everyone who works here, including the media, for what has been a long and productive session since Easter. I am glad that Deputy Dooley has raised the issue of employment with me. In the three years before the general election after which this Government was formed, 250,000 jobs were lost in the...