Results 14,401-14,420 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Other Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I am mindful of the human dimension of this problem. I have met people who have been in the United States for a number of years and who are undocumented. They cannot come home for family funerals or other family events. I have seen members of families having to travel out to see newly born grandchildren because they cannot bring them home. It is estimated there are approximately 50,000...

Other Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I wish to acknowledge the good work done by the members of the Oireachtas joint committee who visited Washington last year. It is most helpful to have parliamentarians from Ireland talking with their counterparts in the United States about this issue. In respect of the Irish interest in immigration reform, our representations are generally very well received and there is no difficulty in...

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 12 and 89 together. Direct negotiations between the Israeli and Palestinian sides, with United States participation, began at the end of July 2013 and have continued to date, with some interruptions. All three parties are restricting their public comments on the details of the talks, and we should do likewise. The range of issues to be resolved –...

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: In the context of the talks process, in many ways this is a last-chance scenario. In the past people wished that the United States would engage in a serious way in leading discussions towards a peace settlement in the Middle East. That is now happening. Secretary of State Kerry is very committed to the process and I have spoken to him directly in respect of this matter on a number of...

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: It is clear that a continuation of the settlements process will make a two-state solution very difficult to achieve from a purely physical point of view. The talks are premised on a two-state solution being achieved. That is something we support and I have not heard any viable alternative in the context of reaching an agreement. At this point we must support the talks and encourage...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 15, 19, 32, 80 and 88 together. I share the deep concern at the escalating conflict in South Sudan and in particular by reports of violence perpetrated against the country’s civilian population. The violence, which erupted in the capital Juba on 15 December last, has spread very quickly and is now affecting most of the country, displacing more...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Access (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The protracted and tragic crisis in Syria and in neighbouring countries has resulted in unprecedented levels of humanitarian need, requiring a sustained and urgent response from the international community. There are now nearly 9 million people who are in need of immediate life saving support. This figure includes 6.5 million people who are displaced within Syria, and more than 2.3 million...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers of the Cuban citizens imprisoned in the US. As this is a bilateral consular issue between the US and the Cuban authorities, the Government has no standing in the matter. Ireland’s bilateral relations with Cuba continue to be positive and I look forward to the further development of relations in the period ahead.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 26 together. I have made clear Ireland’s strong support for an urgent return to democracy and the constitutional order in Egypt and the lifting of all unwarranted restrictions on Egyptian civil society and Egyptian citizens. I have also personally intervened in the case of our own citizens from the Halawa family, seeking to ensure that they...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland has for many years supported the achievement of a fully sovereign state of Palestine as an essential element to the resolution of the Middle East conflict. Both nationally and in concert with our EU partners, we work for the realisation of this goal and to help build up the Palestinian institutions for statehood. Ireland’s position has always been clear that full diplomatic...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme and to its place at the heart of Ireland’s foreign policy. Our new policy on International Development, 'One World, One Future', focuses sharply on the poorest countries and communities in sub-Saharan Africa and on three goals: reducing hunger, building sustainable growth and good governance. I believe...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 44 and 65 together. As I stated earlier in my reply to Questions Nos. 1, 2 and 3, I have made clear the Government's view to all participants and stakeholders that the Panel of Parties Talks presented an opportunity to make further progress towards advancing reconciliation and the creation of a truly reconciled and prosperous society in Northern Ireland....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I have closely followed developments in relation to the Basque Country since the declaration by ETA on 20 October 2011 that the organisation had "decided on the definitive cessation of its armed activity". I have also taken careful note of the public statement on 4 January by a group of former ETA prisoners in which they expressed regret for the suffering inflicted on all sides during the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 27 together. I was not on the recent Trade Mission to the Gulf which was led by the Taoiseach and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton. Therefore, I cannot comment directly on what was said during their bilateral meetings. However, I understand that during the course of his visit to Saudi Arabia from 4th to 6th January,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 29, 30, 38 and 39 together. In relation to the overall humanitarian situation in Gaza, the impact of the blockade, and the humanitarian assistance provided by Ireland in response, I would refer to my detailed reply to Question 28 (ref 53172/13) on 11 December last. Ireland, both nationally and through the EU, will continue to draw attention to the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Strategy (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: On 17 January 2013, the Government decided to initiate a short focused review of the Government’s Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy which covers the period to 2015. This decision was reiterated in the Action Plan for Jobs 2013, under Action Point 202: "In cooperation with all relevant Departments and agencies, carry out a short and focused review of the Government Trade Strategy,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The Foreign Affairs Council had a wide-ranging discussion on the situation in Ukraine at its meeting on 16 December 2013 in Brussels. High Representative Ashton reported to the Council on her visit to Kiev where she held talks with President Yanukovych and other government representatives, the opposition and civil society. There was disappointment with Ukraine’s decision in November...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The question of Ireland’s ratification of the Antarctic Treaty and related agreements comprising the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) has been examined in some detail by the Government and Offices concerned. While the objectives and achievements of the ATS are of considerable importance and the commitment of the signatories is commendable, the direct benefits to Ireland of ratification...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Issues (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland’s three-year membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC), from 2013-15, presents an opportunity to make an enhanced contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights. During our term, we are actively working to add value to the work of the Council and strengthen the institution itself. Ireland’s approach to membership of the HRC is guided by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 78 together. The person referred to by the Deputy holds dual American and Irish citizenship. He applied for Irish Citizenship through Foreign Birth Registration and became an Irish citizen in September 2013. He had not claimed Irish citizenship at the time of his alleged offence in 1996 or conviction in 2001. The person referred to by the Deputy...