Results 15,121-15,140 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Driver Licence Exchange (27 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I am deeply conscious of the unease within the Irish community in Canada about the lack of reciprocal arrangements with the various Canadian Provinces, each of which is responsible for regulating and issuing licences to motorists resident within its own jurisdiction. The lack of such agreements with Ireland can have the effect of restricting the opportunities for employment for holders of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (27 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: While I have not personally spoken to Prime Minister Yatsenyuk following recent events in Ukraine, the European Union through President Van Rompuy and the Commission continues to maintain regular contact with the Prime Minister and the interim government in Kiev and to keep member States informed of these discussions. President Van Rompuy held talks with the Prime Minister in Kiev on 12 May...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (27 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The Taoiseach represented the Government at the canonisation of Saints John XXIII and John Paul II in Rome on Sunday 27 April. After the ceremony, he had the opportunity to speak with Pope Francis. During the exchange, the Taoiseach conveyed to Pope Francis that were he to accept an invitation to visit Ireland from the Catholic bishops, such a visit would have the full support of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (27 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Officials from my Department met representatives from the Armenian Embassy last October, following the decision by President Sargsyan that Armenia would join the Eurasian Customs Union, and would not proceed with the initialling of an Association Agreement with the European Union. At that meeting, it was made clear to the Armenian side that, while we respected their sovereign choice, we and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Resolutions (27 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The question of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) has been the subject of resolutions adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations, as well as its special committee on decolonisation. The committee adopted its most recent resolution in June 2013 and expressed its regret that, in spite of widespread international support for negotiation between the two Governments, implementation of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (28 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Last Friday, I met with Dr. Richard Haass in Dublin ahead of the planned resumption of the Northern Ireland party leaders’ talks. Dr. Haass also met with British Prime Minister, David Cameron, and with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, last week. Under Dr. Haass’s chairmanship of the Panel of Parties talks, the Northern Ireland parties made...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (28 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Both the Irish and the British Governments are clear that progress needs to be made. Deputy Smith is correct that we had hoped agreement would be reached in the new year following the Haass talks. Unfortunately, that did not happen, although much progress was made. There was a period of talks after that involving the party leaders. For a variety of reasons, those talks were interrupted...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (28 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: It is my view and that of the Irish Government and the British Government that both Governments must and do have a hands-on approach to these issues. Both the Secretary of State and I were in Belfast for the concluding stages of the discussions prior to the new year. We have remained in contact. We have talked and liaised about our respective contacts with political leaderships in Northern...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Peace Process (28 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The direct peace talks begun in July 2013 have not definitively ended but they have been suspended and it is not considered that they are likely to be resumed quickly. The talks did, however, make some progress and promote understanding on some issues, and we would hope very much that this progress is not lost and the talks can move forward. We are not privy to the exact understandings...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Peace Process (28 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Deputy Crowe has raised many supplementary issues. With regard to the use of administrative detention, it has always been our view that the use of extraordinary powers should be as minimal as possible, carefully safeguarded and in accordance with international law. I am concerned that detention orders, rather than an extraordinary measure only applied in the most exceptional cases, are...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Peace Process (28 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Considering all the issues attracting international attention currently, including in the Ukraine, Syria and in a number of cases in Africa and particularly north Africa, the Irish Government has repeatedly and consistently kept the issue of the Middle East peace process and the Palestinian position very much on the international agenda. We have done this repeatedly at the European Union and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (28 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Policing, prisons and overall criminal justice policy have been the responsibility of the Minister of Justice in Northern Ireland, David Ford MLA, since the devolution of policing and justice in 2010. The Irish Government has a close and excellent working relationship with the Minister and his Department and co-operation between An Garda Síochána and the PSNI to combat criminal and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (28 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of the good work done by a group of Members of the Oireachtas who have been visiting prisons in Northern Ireland and in contact with the prison service. I am open to receiving and dealing with any report, comment or observation that comes from the group. My officials are open to this also. The officials in the British-Irish Interparliamentary Council secretariat in Belfast are...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (28 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: An early priority for the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland was prison reform. The Owers report was commissioned and I understand some progress has been made on its implementation. I have discussed the matter on a number of occasions with the Minister, Mr. Ford, and will continue to do so.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (28 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I will not meet the Minister tomorrow; I will meet the Secretary of State. The Minister agrees that a reformed justice and prison system has a major part to play in ensuring a more positive future for Northern Ireland. Our position is that there must be full implementation of the recommendations made in the Owers report. That is the best way to ensure conditions within all prisons in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (28 May 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 have met and spoken to many of them during my working visits to the United States. I have also met the various groups which lobby on their behalf. Immigration reform and the challenges faced by the undocumented remain central...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (28 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Earlier the Deputy mentioned that we would have an opportunity to take questions on foreign affairs and trade issues on 1 July.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (28 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: There is a contest for the leadership of my party and I expect to be in this office until 4 July. I have been giving some consideration to the issues to which I should apply my attention and in the intervening period I intend to apply my attention to two issues which are the responsibility of the Department. They are Northern Ireland to try to have some advance in the window before the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (28 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: We have met people who are undocumented in the United States. They are working and, in some cases, running businesses. They also have families. They have been there for a very long period and cannot come home for funerals or family events. It is a very difficult issue and across the political spectrum in the United States there is agreement that it needs to be addressed. This time last...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (28 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I am deeply concerned about current developments in Thailand and my Department is monitoring the situation very closely. Following months of pro- and anti-government protests, on 22 May the Royal Thai Army announced that it was taking control of the government and suspending the constitution, having imposed martial law across Thailand two days previously. The acting Prime Minister,...