Results 14,701-14,720 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Order of Business (13 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I understand the Minister is working on the composition of the group and I expect it will be established shortly.

Order of Business (13 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The preparation of the Bill is obviously a matter for the Minister for Finance. As stated previously, the concerns of mortgage holders are being dealt with by the Government as a matter of urgency in any event. The mortgage books of two institutions have already been sold. In both cases the purchasers are applying the code of conduct relating to mortgage arrears. Work has already been...

Order of Business (13 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The Bill is currently before the Seanad. It is quite complex and technical in nature. Due in part to the issues that were raised during the consultation process, a large number of amendments will be proposed on Committee Stage. There has been a delay in the context of proceeding with Committee Stage in the Upper House. Issues relating to the consultation process and the complexity of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Summits (13 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The Deputy may be assured that Ireland strongly supports international efforts to focus on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons and that we will continue to play an active part in all related discussions, including at the Second International Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons in Mexico this week. Officials from my Department will actively participate in that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (13 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: All passport applications are subject to the provision of Passports Act, 2008 (the Act). The issue of a passport is, therefore, the culmination of an important and legally-binding process. The checks and balances within the passport process embrace the standard principles that are provided for in the Act and help to ensure that the identity of the applicant is known and that the person in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (13 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Following passage of the comprehensive immigration reform legislation, on a bi-partisan basis, by the US Senate last June, the issue has been under consideration in the Republican controlled House of Representatives. Public comments and private conversations which I, the Taoiseach and our Embassy in Washington DC had with leaders of the House Republican caucus, had given rise to expectations...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Issues (18 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: My Department has consulted with the Civil Service Occupational Health Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on this case. The request is still under consideration by my Department. A decision will be made shortly which will be communicated directly to the officer.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Career Breaks (18 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: A total of 26 officers are currently availing of the Career break scheme in my Department. Details of these officers are set out in the following table: Number of staff Grade Duration of career-break 0 - 0- 6 months 0 - 6 – 12 months 7 1 Clerical Officer Executive Officer 1 – 2 years 3 2 Clerical Officer Staff Officer 2 – 3 years 9 1 1 Clerical...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Sick Leave (18 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Details of the sick leave recorded as taken by staff of my Department in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 are set out in the following table. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Year Uncertified sick leave days Average number of uncertified sick days per FTE * Certified Sick Days Average number of certified sick days per FTE * Total number of sick days Average number of sick days per FTE...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Commemorative Events (18 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The centenary of the outbreak of the First World War will be marked by events across Europe in August this year. At national level, events to mark the outbreak of the First World War will take place over several days. While detailed arrangements still to be settled, a Cross of Sacrifice monument at Glasnevin cemetery will be dedicated to the memory of the soldiers who died in the War....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Security Checks (18 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: It is not policy to comment on or provide details concerning security matters of this nature. My Department's security arrangements are kept under regular review, including security arrangements for premises and telecommunications.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Agencies (18 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: No agencies or organisations of the type envisaged in the Deputy's question have been established by my Department since March 2011.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (18 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: This is an issue to which I accord very high priority. I am conscious of the difficulties experienced by Irish citizens who are undocumented in the United States, and I have met and spoken with many of them on my working visits there, and also with the various groups who lobby on their behalf. I have maintained contact, both directly and through our Embassy in Washington, with many key...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Communities Abroad (18 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Engagement with the Diaspora has long been a feature of my Department's work, promoting Ireland overseas and, very importantly, in the context of efforts, over many years, to bring a lasting peace to this island. The Irish Abroad Unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was established, in 2004, to meet the objectives set out in the Task Force Report: to 'protect and support' the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (18 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: At my invitation, former British Prime Minister John Major delivered a lecture at Iveagh House on 11 December last, commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the signing of the Downing Street Declaration on 15 December 1993. The event was hosted and organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This was the third in a series of commemorative lectures forming the Iveagh House...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Marching Season (18 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together. I have previously outlined to the House the main provisions of the final Haass/O'Sullivan proposals. On Parades, the proposals recognise parading as an important cultural and historical tradition for many in Northern Ireland which enjoys protection under European and international human rights law. They note the wide variety of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (18 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: At present, Ireland’s diplomatic network includes 56 Embassies, 7 multilateral missions and 10 Consulates General and other offices. This includes Embassies in all Eurozone and other EU Member States, with the exception of Croatia. Following the recent Government Decision to expand the diplomatic network abroad, it is our intention that the new Embassy to Croatia will be fully...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (18 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I strongly support Irish neutrality, which forms a central element of our foreign policy. Irish neutrality, which is characterised by non-participation in military alliances, complements our active commitment to international engagement. Over the years, Ireland has sought to make a direct and constructive contribution to global peace and security, through the UN, the EU, as well as though...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (18 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Ambassador Daniel M. Rooney completed his Mission as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Ireland on 14 December 2012. Pending the nomination of his successor, the Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the United States of America is acting in the capacity of Chargé d'Affaires, ad interim. While the appointment of a new Ambassador...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (18 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: On 30 January 2014, the Taoiseach met with representatives of the Ballymurphy families in Dublin and told the families that, having considered the particular circumstances of their case, the Government supports their call for the appointment of an Independent Panel to examine all documents relating to the context, circumstances and aftermath of the deaths. He undertook to raise the matter...