Results 15,341-15,360 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I visited Washington D.C. over the period 17-19 June for various meetings in relation to U.S. immigration reform, which remains a key Government priority. My programme included separate discussions with Congressman Luis Gutierrez, Congressman Paul Ryan, Senator Pat Leahy, members of the Congressional Friends of Ireland Group, House Judiciary Committee Member Congressman Mark Amodei,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Global Economic Forum (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: There have been three Global Irish Economic Forums to date; 2009, 2011 and 2013. The first Forum took place in 2009 as a response to the deepening economic crisis at the time. It brought together members of the Diaspora and the Government who were tasked to come up with new and innovative ways to help lift the country out of recession. This first Forum recommended the establishment of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The disappearance of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank on 12 June understandably aroused great public anxiety and concern. I condemned this abduction and called for the urgent release of the three teenagers and their safe return to their families. The finding on Monday of the bodies of the three missing youths has sadly ended all such hopes. I have issued a statement on behalf of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The principles and values of the Good Friday Agreement and the subsequent St. Andrew’s Agreement are essential to peace and reconciliation in Ireland and across these islands. Their key elements include devolution based on power-sharing; agreement on sovereignty; human rights; parity of esteem; and support for the rule of law. These principles have rightly been at the centre of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukrainian Conflict (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The crisis in Ukraine continues to be a major focus for the EU. At the most recent Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 23 June, which I attended, Ministers were briefed by the new Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Pavlo Klimkin. The Council conclusions reiterated strong condemnation of the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol.The Council decided to prohibit the import into the EU of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Threats to human rights across the broad Middle East region are numerous and, in many cases, grave. Promoting and enhancing respect for human rights, together with core related principles such as freedom, equality, and the rule of law, form a very important part of the EU’s dialogue and engagement with countries in the region. The right to religious freedom is an area of particular...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I have paid particular attention to the incidence and conditions of detention of Palestinian children. The report referred to provides graphic details of further allegations of practices which are clearly unacceptable. My view is simple: Palestinian children in Israeli custody should be afforded the same rights, protection, and treatment under the law which Israel rightly considers...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I refer the deputy to my reply to Question no. 32 on the same topic, which was as follows:“The disappearance of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank on 12 June understandably aroused great public anxiety and concern. I condemned this abduction and called for the urgent release of the three teenagers and their safe return to their families. The finding on Monday of the bodies of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Parliament Elections (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The recent European Parliament elections confirmed the extent of European citizens’ concern over the continuing effects of the economic crisis across the European Union and the uneven pace of economic recovery. While increased support for eurosceptic parties and, more worryingly, parties with extreme views on some issues, is a cause of considerable concern, that support varies greatly...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 49 together. Direct negotiations between the parties were suspended at the end of April, and there is no immediate prospect of the talks being resumed. The essential issues behind the breakdown were the profound lack of trust between the two sides, insufficient political commitment, particularly by the Israeli government, to reaching an agreement, and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I remain seriously concerned by the worsening security situation in Nigeria. I have strongly condemned the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls from the northern Nigerian town of Chibok by the terrorist organisation, Boko Haram, on 14 April. I am also appalled by continuing reports of violent attacks, including further abductions, throughout Nigeria. I have given my full support to the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The issue of prisoners has been and is a difficult element of the Middle East Peace Process, as indeed it was in our own case. The release of a number of longer term Palestinian prisoners held by Israel was an element in the arrangements for the recent talks process, and the non-release by Israel of the final group of prisoners was an element in the breakdown of those talks. We have...

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

Eamon Gilmore: South Sudan is one of the poorest states in Africa. Years of conflict and underdevelopment, by the violence that erupted in December 2013 have resulted in the current humanitarian crisis. In early June 2014, the number of people reported to be displaced by the current crisis in South Sudan was over 1.4 million, including 1,038,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs). The security and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukrainian Conflict (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 45 together. The situation in Ukraine is a priority for the EU and we continue to monitor the situation there closely. Member States are resolved to do all they can to help facilitate an inclusive and negotiated settlement and have actively engaged in efforts to promote dialogue between all sides, including the Russian Federation, since the outset of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland remains fully committed to a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Syria. Although reaching a political resolution is a difficult challenge, it remains the best option and the only alternative to the further intensification of the military conflict. UN Secretary General Ban is likely in the near future to announce a new Special Representative to replace former Joint Special...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Egyptian Conflict (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I have made clear on a number of occasions my concerns over the current human rights situation in Egypt. These concerns are widely shared by our EU partners, as should be clear from the firmly worded Conclusions on Egypt adopted by the Foreign Affairs Council on 10 February. While welcoming the adoption of the new Egyptian constitution in January, the Council deplored the absence of a fully...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The European Union follows very closely the situation in the countries of the Western Balkans, as they undertake significant reforms to prepare to join the Union. The enlargement process is founded on the Copenhagen criteria, which reflect the Union’s founding values: peace, democracy, the rule of law, respect for fundamental rights, and a functioning market economy. Countries wishing...

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

Eamon Gilmore: I continue to follow closely developments in Colombia’s peace process. Together with European Union and UN colleagues, I welcome progress made to date and I encourage the parties to the talks to continue their work with a view to securing a comprehensive peace agreement as soon as possible. Three areas of the negotiations are now subject to provisional agreement. These are the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (2 Jul 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. On 24 February 2014 I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: In recent years the growing polarisation over the nuclear issue, and the isolationism of the Iranian authorities, has made it very difficult to discuss or progress issues relating to human rights, civil society, democratic principles etc. The new Government in Iran has made some welcome statements on improving the protection of human rights. Ireland and our EU partners would strongly...