Results 1,981-2,000 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I have made two public statements on the use of chemical weapons in Syria. On 28 August I issued the following statement: “I repeat my condemnation of the recent gas attacks in Syria. The horrific consequences of the illegal use of these armaments against a civilian population are appalling and an affront to the values of the United Nations. The use of these weapons has rightly been...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of the national strike that began in Colombia on 19 August when organisations representing agriculture producers, subsequently joined by other organisations, began a protest movement on a range of grievances relating to policies on trade and state support for various sectors.I am following closely the developments in Colombia, and regret reports of deaths and injuries arising in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I strongly support the Colombian peace process and hope that ongoing negotiations will bring an end to the long conflict there which has caused much suffering. I welcome progress made to date, including the agreement reached last May on the land reform element of the peace negotiations. I wish the parties success in reaching agreement on the other important items remaining on their agenda so...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Middle East is home to some of the world’s most ancient Christian denominations. Unfortunately, many of these often small and vulnerable communities are coming under increasing pressure due to a range of factors including low birth rates, emigration and, in some cases, increased sectarian persecution and violence. This has led to a significant reduction in their numbers in the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: My Department has funded no capital projects in the past five years in these locations.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Foreign Affairs Council met on 21 August to discuss the situation in Egypt. The Council agreed Conclusions on Egypt, which I have discussed in detail in my reply to another Question from the Deputy today. There was unanimous agreement among Foreign Ministers that all Member States would suspend export licences to Egypt of any equipment which might be used for internal repression, and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: In November 2011, the Government announced its decision to close Ireland’s Embassy to the Holy See. This decision was driven by economic factors deriving from our need to cut public expenditure and focus the modest resources of our diplomatic service on economic recovery. As the Deputy is aware, the Government decided to appoint the Secretary General of my Department as non-resident...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Service Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: A passport reminder service is available on the Passport Service website The reminder service sends an e-mail, to those who have registered, three months before a passport is due to expire. Registration is simple and merely requires those interested to record their name, e-mail address and the expiry date of the passport. It is possible to register a number of different passports (e.g....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Recruitment (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: My Department has sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to provide up to 46 paid internships annually at headquarters and in Missions abroad. These are awarded to suitable candidates who have undertaken relevant third-level studies or who have other relevant skills or experience. Interns are recruited following a competitive process and are remunerated on the basis...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Funding (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Irish Jewish Museum records and presents the history and culture of Ireland's small but significant Jewish community and their contribution to Ireland's history and heritage. My Department has been liaising with the Museum for a number of years in regard to its efforts to build support and generate funding abroad. A group from the Museum visited New York in May 2012 in order to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 115, 123, 124, 126 and 127 together. I am assuming that Questions relating to the recent Foreign Affairs Council are referring to the informal meeting of Foreign Ministers on 6-7 September, which was not a meeting of the Council as such. I have already welcomed in my statement on 14 September the outcome of the US-Russian negotiations on a framework...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passports Data (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The information requested regarding current place of residence of Irish passport holders is not maintained by the Passport Service. The Passport Service technology system does not currently record "address" information in the structured format necessary to facilitate the production of management information in relation to place of residency, place of birth etc. Additionally passports are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Minister of State for European Affairs attended the Informal Meeting of Ministers and Secretaries of State for European Affairs in Vilnius on 29-30 August 2013. The topic for the meeting was inter-institutional relations, and specifically the relationship between the Council and the European Parliament. The first session, with the participation of representatives from the European...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I visited Belfast on 29 August 2013 to meet with members of communities living at interfaces, with representatives of the local business and retail sector and with a number of organisations and individuals involved with reconciliation and with legacy issues. The visit provided me with an opportunity to take soundings on the range of issues which will be dealt with in the context of the Haass...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together. As co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the security and political situation in Northern Ireland is a central concern for me, my Government colleagues and for members of the Oireachtas. I maintain contact on an ongoing and regular basis with the First and deputy First Ministers, with the party leaders within the Northern Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I welcome the timely report by Amnesty International entitled “Northern Ireland: Time to deal with the past” and will give it my full consideration. I visited Belfast in August and it is clear from my extensive consultations there and elsewhere that the past is having a corrosive effect on political life and on community relations throughout Northern Ireland. The current...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The tragic crisis unfolding in Syria and in neighbouring countries has resulted in enormous humanitarian needs, requiring an urgent and sustained response from the international community. With the number of fatalities surpassing 100,000, there are now close to 7 million people who are in need of immediate life saving support. In addition to more than 4 million people who are displaced...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: My Department is continuing to provide consular assistance to the family of four Irish nationals in detention in Egypt. Our Embassy in Cairo is liaising with the Egyptian authorities and has been granted consular access on a number of occasions to visit the four. The Egyptian authorities are still reviewing their cases and at the present time it is still unclear whether formal charges will...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: As I stated recently at the British Irish Association Conference, the Good Friday Agreement recognizes the need to elaborate the principles according to which society could be protected and flourish and a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland is fundamental to ensuring these principles are given a legislative base. I believe that it is important that all voices are included in the process to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: In ongoing contacts with the British government, most recently at my meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt. Hon. Theresa Villiers MP, on 24 July, I continue to stress the importance of implementation of all aspects of the Agreements. Since the restoration of the devolved Institutions on 8 May 2007, the question of an Irish Language Act for Northern Ireland is a...