Results 14,901-14,920 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Dialogue (25 Mar 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 is a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Expenses (26 Mar 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The occasional use of officers’ private vehicles for official purposes may be permitted in accordance with official travel policy guidelines issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in the following circumstances: - no suitable public transport is available; or - public transport is available only at equal or greater expense; or the use of public transport would...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Shannon Airport Facilities (27 Mar 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I wish to confirm that my Department received no request for permission for the transport of hellfire missiles through Shannon Airport by the US Air Force in recent weeks. Had such a request been submitted, it would have been refused in line with our policy in relation to overflights and landings by foreign military aircraft. Permission has been granted for foreign military aircraft to land...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (27 Mar 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Article 2 of the Constitution states that “the Irish nation cherishes its special affinity with people of Irish ancestry living abroad, who share its cultural identity and heritage”. While the Irish emigrants of today are largely better educated and qualified than those of previous generations, this Government maintains its long-standing commitment to assisting Irish people...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (27 Mar 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: In 1987, the Government formulated a policy to bring together, where feasible, our diplomatic and consular missions abroad and the offices of state agencies in a single location, designated as “Ireland House”. The precise model for implementing such an arrangement would, of course, vary and have to reflect local conditions and other factors. In all cases, the arrangement is one...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (27 Mar 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The staffing information for the Trade and Promotion Division requested by the Deputy is set out in the tables below. It should also be noted that bilateral trade promotion is the responsibility of each geographic division and unit in my Department. Staffing resources in the Trade and Promotion Division and elsewhere in the Department have been reduced in order to comply with our Employment...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Policy Reviews (27 Mar 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 2010 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...

Report on the Contribution of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to Economic Recovery: Statements (28 Mar 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I thank the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade for the work done in preparing the report which has been presented to the House by the Chairman, Deputy Pat Breen. The report provides a clear analysis of the important contribution the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has made and continues to make towards economic recovery and makes a number of excellent...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (1 Apr 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: A session of the Russia-Ireland Joint Economic Commission (JEC) has been scheduled in Ireland on 8 April. The JEC, which gives impetus to important areas of bilateral cooperation with the Russian Federation in the fields of agriculture, transport, science and technology and others, will be co-chaired by Minister of State Joe Costello for Ireland and Deputy Minister Travnikov on the Russian...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (1 Apr 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The following is a summary of the overtime hours worked in the Passport Offices in Molesworth Street, Balbriggan and Cork for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 and the salary costs associated with those overtime hours. Year Hours Cost 2011 27600 €762,118.78 2012 8212 €228,723.88 2013 775 €86,871.33 In recent years the Department has made strenuous efforts to reduce...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Garda Investigations (1 Apr 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: A joint Passport Office and Garda Síochána investigation is currently taking place into the alleged fraudulent issuing of genuine Irish passports. As the Garda investigations are at an advanced stage, and with the Gardaí currently interviewing in relation to the matters of concern, I am unable to provide detailed comments at this time.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (1 Apr 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 to 150, inclusive, together. At its meeting on 20-21 March, the European Council held a comprehensive discussion on the situation in Ukraine. The Taoiseach, who attended the European Council, has already reported to this House on those discussions and on the decisions of the Heads of State and Government. The European Council adopted a strong message...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion (1 Apr 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: My Department has responsibility for the Export Trade Council, which I chair, and which works to strengthen cooperation and coordination across all Government Departments and State agencies involved in the promotion and development of trade, tourism and investment and to oversee the coordination and implementation of the Government Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy. I have chaired every...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (1 Apr 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The two Governments made an undertaking to advance schemes to deal with On the Runs (OTRs) in both jurisdictions at Weston Park in July 2001 and in the Joint Declaration of April 2003. Following the Weston Park Agreement, the British government set up an administrative scheme to deal with OTRs. While the Government was not directly involved in the establishment of this scheme, nor was a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (1 Apr 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I met with the Secretary of State most recently on 31 March 2014 to discuss the current political talks and how to take forward the compromise proposals on contentious issues facing Northern Ireland. We welcomed last week's resumption of the talks between Party Leaders and we reaffirmed that we wish to see the Northern Ireland Parties reach agreement without further delay. In the meantime...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (2 Apr 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 61 together. I am aware of the situation of the Lunda-Tchokwe people in Angola and that Amnesty International have been following the cases of a number of political activists who have been detained by the Angolan authorities. While my Department has had no specific discussions on the issue raised by the Deputy with the relevant authorities in Angola,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (2 Apr 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I would like to welcome the re-launch of talks aimed at resolving the long-standing Cyprus question. I welcome in particular the Joint Declaration of 11 February 2014 by the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders which lays a solid foundation for the negotiations. I would urge those involved in the talks to engage fully in the process and to work in a spirit of good faith, under the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (2 Apr 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is committed to providing support for Irish emigrants around the world. The emphasis of the Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) is on supporting culturally sensitive, frontline welfare services, targeted at the most vulnerable members of our overseas communities, with Britain being the focus of the greatest part of this support. These services have...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Services (3 Apr 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The Department of Foreign Affairs accepts debit and credit cards for receipt of passport application fees and consular fees. Whole of government contracts for merchant services have been procured by the Local Government Management Agency (formerly the Local Government Computer Services Board) and the Department is moving to the card processing services available under this contract...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (3 Apr 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I can confirm that An Garda Síochána has identified serious anomalies in relation to a supporting document submitted with the passport application. The matter has been referred to the Department of Justice and Equality.