Results 2,061-2,080 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

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

Eamon Gilmore: In ongoing contacts with the British government, I continue to stress the importance of implementation of all aspects of the Agreements. I am firmly of the view that an Irish Language Act should be introduced in Northern Ireland. All parties to the Good Friday Agreement recognised the importance of respect, understanding and tolerance in relation to linguistic diversity in Northern Ireland....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (18 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 47 together. I refer the Deputy to my replies to Questions Nos. 62, 65 and 66, taken together, of 10 July 2013 and Question No. 175 of 16 July 2013 on this matter. The Government follows closely reports of human rights violations against Falun Gong practitioners, including reported cases of organ harvesting, and is concerned about the situation....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade and Investment Development (18 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Export Trade Council (ETC) meets at high level to oversee the progressive implementation of the recommendations set out in the Government Trade Strategy, Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy. It has met to date on four occasions, with the most recent meeting taking place on 14 February 2013. The next meeting will take place later this year. I have chaired each of the meetings held...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Agencies Pension Provisions (18 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: There are no State agencies under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Expenditure (18 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The following table sets out the subsistence expenses paid to me as Minister and the combined subsistence and mileage expenses paid to the Ministers of State attached to my Department in the full financial year 2012. Name Year Mileage in Kms Travel expenses (including mileage) € Tanáiste, Eamon Gilmore T.D. 2012 Nil 4,701 Minister of State, Lucinda Creighton T.D. 2012 23,209...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Process (18 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I sponsored two items of legislation in 2012 and the information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. Name of Bill No of Government amendments tabled/accepted in the Seanad No of other amendments tabled/accepted in the Seanad European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2012 None/None None/None Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution Bill (Treaty on Stability,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Staff (18 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The current staffing arrangements for my private and constituency offices and those of the Ministers of State in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are set out in the following table, together with comparable information for July 2011. These staffing arrangements are in line with the Government's decision on 15 March 2011 to reduce maximum permitted staffing levels for Ministers of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Exchequer Savings (18 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Details of the salaries paid to my special advisers, which are commensurate with the responsibilities attaching to their positions, are provided in the following table. Position held Annual Salary with effect from 1 July 2013 Chief Adviser - Office of the Tánaiste €156,380 Economic Adviser - Office of the Tánaiste €144,550 Special Adviser - Tánaiste and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Marching Season (18 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The violence and disrespect for the rule of law we have witnessed in Belfast over recent days are against everything the peace process means and the fundamental values of the decent people of that city and of the island of Ireland. The rule of law must be respected, even when people disagree with lawful decisions of the Parades Commission. In my conversations with Secretary of State...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (18 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (commonly referred to as “drones”) are used for both civilian and military purposes. Most military drones do not carry weapons and are used mainly for reconnaissance purposes. Under international law, there is no prohibition on drones as such. Their use in armed conflict is subject to international humanitarian law. This sets specific requirements in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (18 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to face one of the most complex and enduring crises in the world, and remains a high priority for Ireland and our partners in the European Union. EU Foreign Ministers will again discuss the situation in the DRC on 22 July and will assess recent progress to secure a durable solution to the crisis. In particular we will consider ways to further...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: US Military Court Martial (18 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputy. As the individual referred to is the subject of ongoing legal proceedings whose outcome remains undetermined, it would not be appropriate for me to comment in this instance, nor to raise it at political level. I am aware that concerns have been raised in relation to this case, in particular regarding the conditions of detention. It is the...

Council of the European Union (Lithuanian Presidency): Motion (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I move:That, in accordance with Standing Order 102A(2)(a), Dáil Éireann notes and welcomes the Government's priorities for the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.”I wish to begin by saying how pleased I am to be here with the newly appointed Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Paschal Donohoe. I wish him well in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency Objectives, Foreign Affairs Council and Membership of Human Rights Council: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I will deal first with Syria, raised by Senators Mullen and Walsh. Some 1.6 million people have had to flee the country and are living in refugee camps in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon. That is equivalent to the population of Northern Ireland. When I was in Turkey in April, I visited Gaziantep refugee camp. It was very well managed. As refugee camps go it provided secure accommodation, but...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency Objectives, Foreign Affairs Council and Membership of Human Rights Council: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland has been very clear on the need for a strong inclusive political process to help resolve the conflict in Afghanistan. That includes dialogue with the Taliban. We are in agreement with the emerging consensus that dialogue with the Taliban is necessary as part of the overall effort to convince Taliban leaders to relinquish the armed struggle and to reintegrate into Afghan society....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency Objectives, Foreign Affairs Council and Membership of Human Rights Council: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: A number of issues have been raised. Deputy Mitchell asked about water diplomacy and security. On Monday, I expect that the EU's High Representative will provide an update on recent policy developments on water security. The discussion on this issue is part of an increased focus by the High Representative and EU foreign ministers on integrating non-traditional security challenges into the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency Objectives, Foreign Affairs Council and Membership of Human Rights Council: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: On the issue of illegal settlements, we would support a ban at EU level on settlement goods entering the European Union market. What is being developed by the High Representative and the External Action Service is a set of guidelines for the labelling of settlement products, which we support. Work on that is well advanced and our intention is to work with that. On the reference in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency Objectives, Foreign Affairs Council and Membership of Human Rights Council: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I thank Deputy Smith for his compliments on the successful Presidency. I pay tribute to the officers and staff of my Department, both in Dublin and in Brussels, and to the officers of the Department of the Taoiseach for the work they have done. On the universal periodic review, UPR, the implementation of the UPR recommendations is taken on board in our partnership with developing states...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency Objectives, Foreign Affairs Council and Membership of Human Rights Council: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: It is a very clear signal on the part of the European Union at a number of levels. In the first instance, it is an indication that we are quite unhappy with the situation as it currently obtains - which we want Israel to address - and that we want to encourage both sides to engage with the peace initiative. Yesterday's decision largely relates to the funding of projects by the European...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency Objectives, Foreign Affairs Council and Membership of Human Rights Council: Discussion (17 Jul 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I thank the Chairperson and the members of the committee. I am pleased to have this opportunity to meet with the committee today to bring members up to date on foreign policy developments in recent months. I propose to focus on three areas in my opening statement: discussions at the Foreign Affairs Council for the second quarter of 2013 and a forward look to the Council on 22 July;...