Results 2,261-2,280 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Prisoner Welfare (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: There are several aspects to this case. First, there is the strictly legal aspect and I am being careful not to stray into that. I am sure Deputy Crowe fully understands that. Second, there are the conditions under which he is being held. This has been raised by our embassy in London. Some issues relating to health matters were raised. The issues concerning visits have been raised....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Prisoner Welfare (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I have been in contact with the Secretary of State about this case. My Department has also been in contact with officials on the British side about it. There are two principal issues here, first, the conditions under which he is being held and the category A status that has been assigned to him. We have discussed these issues with the British authorities. The second, wider, issue is the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland has consistently taken the view that combating terrorism must be conducted with full respect for international law, in particular the law of armed conflict and human rights law. In line with the UN Global Strategy on Counter Terrorism, we believe that effective counter terrorism and the protection and promotion of human rights are mutually reinforcing and not competing goals....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: EU Funding (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: On 8 February the European Council reached agreement on the European Union's multi-annual financial framework, MFF, for the period 2014 to 2020. Under the Lisbon treaty, the consent of the European Parliament is required before the MFF can be adopted by the Council. As Ireland holds the Presidency, we have had the responsibility of negotiating the text of the MFF regulation and the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: EU Funding (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: As I indicated, the Parliament rejected the multi-annual financial framework agreed to by the Council in February, with more than 500 Members voting against it. We have since been engaged in discussions with it to establish a basis for the taking of a further vote. A plenary session will take place next week and it is our objective that a vote will be taken at that stage. The negotiations...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: EU Funding (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Agreement was reached yesterday on Horizon 2020, the plan for the research and innovation budget. The overall European Union budget for the period in question is a very substantial €960 billion for the period up to 2020. That funding is critical for the programmes it will underpin. The issue of own resources was one of those raised by the Parliament and agreement in that regard was...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Prisoner Welfare (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: This individual was arrested on 20 May under the Counter-Terrorism Act while transiting through Gatwick Airport. On 22 May he was charged in connection with terrorist offences committed in 1982. He is being held in HM Prison Belmarsh in south-east London where he has been designated as a category A high security prisoner. The Irish Embassy in London is providing consular support and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I am following closely developments in Brazil in light of the wave of demonstrations that have been taking place there. These demonstrations began earlier this month as a protest at a rise in bus fares. Demonstrations have since spread to cities across the country and have become an expression of broader discontent on a range of issues. Grievances are reported to include the quality of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Missions Participation (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 47 together. Canada, which is the world's 10th largest economy, has been identified as a priority market under the Government's strategy for promoting trade, tourism and investment Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy . Ireland's merchandise exports to Canada increased by 11% in 2012 to over €780 million and exports by indigenous EI client...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The search for a peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Arab conflict is among my top priorities as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. In January 2012, I visited Israel, the West Bank and Gaza to see the issues on the ground and speak to leaders on all sides. I and my Department continue to avail of every opportunity to meet leaders and officials from the region, as well as EU and other...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European External Action Service (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The European External Action Service (EEAS), established by Council Decision in 2010, is the European Union’s diplomatic service which has been created to support the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). At present, it numbers some 3400 staff, spread between the Brussels Headquarters and 141 EU Delegations throughout the world. Under the leadership of the High...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of the report released by the Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice in March. I am deeply concerned by the accounts of human rights abuses of prisoners incarcerated in connection with the conflict in Sri Lanka. Ireland along with our partners in the EU believes that genuine reconciliation among all groups and communities in Sri Lanka is essential and requires justice and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: On 29 April 2013 I met with Secretary of State Villiers and with the First Minister and deputy First Minister in Belfast in quad formation. Separately, on the same date, I met with the First Minister and deputy First Minister on North South Institutional matters. In both meetings, the then absence of an agreed strategy to provide a framework for a stable, shared society for the people of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Issues (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Since 2009, the Irish International Immigrant Centre in Boston (IIIC) has been accredited by the US State Department as a visa sponsor for the J1 Irish work and Travel 12 month programme. The terms and conditions under which the IIIC participates in this programme are determined by its contractual relationship with the State Department. The IIIC provides legal and welfare services to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of the recent case of nine refugees from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), repatriated to their native country from the Laos People's Democratic Republic in May. I share the concern expressed by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Catherine Ashton, in a statement on 5 June 2013, and support her call for all States to observe the principle of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Diplomatic and bilateral relations between Ireland and Croatia are excellent, and we very much look forward to building on these as Croatia accedes to the Union. The importance that Ireland attaches to Croatian accession and to our bilateral relations was demonstrated when President Higgins paid his first State Visit to Croatia from 5 – 9 June this year. Ireland has been positively...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The detention of the person referred to does not arise by virtue of powers vested in the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland but under devolved powers vested in the Northern Ireland Courts which are independent in the exercise of their functions. This is in keeping with the devolved settlement arising from the Good Friday Agreement and the Hillsborough Agreement. As such it would be...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 25, 40, 51 and 63 together. I am deeply concerned by the violent clashes which have been taking place in Turkey. Pluralism of opinion, freedom of expression, and the right to peaceful protest, should be part of every democracy, alongside the rule of law. The disproportionate use of force by the police against mostly peaceful demonstrators has been...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 53, 54 and 61 together. A resolution of the situation facing the undocumented Irish in the United States has been and remains a priority for the Government in ongoing contacts with the US Administration and Congress. The Government have also attached great importance to providing for future flows of migration between Ireland and the United States...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Venezuelan Presidential Election (26 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Presidential election that that took place in Venezuela on 14th April last was closely contested. The Venezuelan National Electoral Commission recorded President Maduro ahead of the leading opposition candidate, Henrique Capriles, by 1.49%. I am aware that Mr Capriles has disputed the outcome and is pursuing his claim through legal channels. The European Union and its member states...