Results 2,301-2,320 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

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

Eamon Gilmore: On 8 February the European Council reached agreement on the EU Budget Multiannual Financial Framework for 2014-2020, the MFF. Under the Lisbon Treaty, the consent of the European Parliament is required before the MFF can be adopted by Council. As Presidency, we have had the responsibility for negotiating the text of the MFF Regulation and the Inter-Institutional Agreement between the...

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

Eamon Gilmore: The situation in Somalia continues to be a serious concern for the European Union and the broader international community. A major international Conference on Somalia was convened in London on 7 May and was attended by representatives of more than 50 countries and international organisations. Ireland was represented by the Minister of State for Trade and Development, Mr. Joe Costello T.D....

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

Eamon Gilmore: The ongoing detention of Ms Yulia Tymoshenko, the former Prime Minister of Ukraine, is being monitored closely by Ireland, the European Union and the wider international community. I refer the Deputy to my previous replies of 20 February and 16 May on the matter. Concerns regarding this case, which have been repeatedly expressed by Ireland and its partners, were borne out by the judgment of...

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

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland’s exports have performed well over the past two years. The total value of merchandise exports in 2012 was €92 billion, representing an increase of 3.1% on the 2010 figure (€89 billion), while services exports for 2012 reached €90 billion; an increase of 21% on the 2010 figure (€74 billion). The markets which recorded the highest percentage increase...

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

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 73 together. As the Deputy will be aware from my previous replies to his PQs on the subjects, Ireland is supportive of enlargement and of the EU perspective of the countries of the Western Balkans. We see enlargement as a vital tool for promoting reform, democracy and stability in Europe. During our Presidency we have worked to facilitate progress...

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

Eamon Gilmore: The debate in the UK, regarding its membership of the European Union, is set to continue for the foreseeable future. Depending on how events unfold, the outcome of that debate may have consequences for all Member States, not least among them, for Ireland. However undoubtedly, the most profound consequences would be for the UK itself, which must be allowed the time and space to take the course...

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

Eamon Gilmore: I strongly support the Colombian peace process and hope that the ongoing negotiations will bring an end to the long conflict there that has caused much suffering. I am following closely developments in the talks underway and have welcomed the agreement reached last month on the land reform element of these negotiations as a very positive step forward. I wish the parties success in reaching...

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

Eamon Gilmore: At the beginning of our Presidency, the Government set out in its programme the measures we believed needed to be adopted to secure our priority objectives of restoring stability in Europe, and creating jobs and growth across the EU. With just a few days to go to the end of the Presidency we can note substantial progress in fulfilling these objectives and I can assure the Deputy that we will...

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

Eamon Gilmore: 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 through the extension of the so called E3 visa scheme to include...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Missions (25 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: There are currently two United Nations peacekeeping missions which operate in Syria, the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) and the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO), the latter of which is which is headquartered in Jerusalem.At the beginning of June a decision was taken by the Austrian Government to withdraw its peacekeeping contingent from UNDOF. In...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Missions (25 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: It is not the practice for my Department’s overseas missions to prepare annual reports. In common with other missions, the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations reports on a regular and ongoing basis on a range of issues to relevant Divisions of my Department. Overseas missions also prepare annual business plans in consultation with and under the oversight of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Missions Issues (25 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: My Department and its Embassy network support a range of trade missions in close co-operation with the relevant State Agencies. Minister of State White has just returned from leading an Enterprise Ireland trade mission to the US from 19 to 21 June, organised with the support our Consulate General in New York, which targeted the life science industry in Pennsylvania. Minister Bruton is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Security Council Membership (25 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: In 2005, Ireland announced its candidature for election to the United Nations Security Council in 2020 for the 2021-2022 term. In seeking election to the United Nations Security Council, Ireland will present its candidature on the basis of its firm commitment to the principles and values enshrined in the United Nations Charter. We will draw on our record of dedicated service to the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Topical Issue Debate (25 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The information sought by the Deputy is available through the website of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Oireachtas.ie). The Deputy will know that, as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I have extensive travel commitments, particularly during our Presidency of the EU and our Chairmanship-in-Office of the OSCE in 2012. Since March 2011, 27 topical issue debates have been submitted to my...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Responsibilities (25 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland’s bilateral relations with other States encompass a wide range of political, cultural, economic and social issues. These are progressed by my Department and also by other Departments and State Agencies, depending on the nature of the issue. Parliamentary Questions (PQ) are assigned by the Dáil Questions Office to Ministers on a case-by-case basis. Where the matter...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: North-South Ministerial Council (25 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) was established as part of the Good Friday Agreement to foster mutually beneficial cooperation in agreed areas on an all-Island basis. My colleagues in Government and I meet regularly with our counterparts in the Northern Ireland Executive in the various NSMC formats to review progress in all areas of North South co-operation. While there has been...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (25 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 179 together. The Good Friday Agreement recognises that an essential aspect of the reconciliation process is the promotion of a culture of tolerance at every level of society, including initiatives to facilitate and encourage integrated education. As co-guarantor of the Agreement, the Government supports those who want their children to benefit from...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Marching Season (25 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 and 180 together. The issue of Parades features in almost all of my regular discussions with the British government, the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and with political and community leaders in Northern Ireland. I have spoken in the past two weeks with both the Secretary State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers MP and NI Justice Minister...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: North-South Ministerial Council (25 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: 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. In the St Andrews Agreement, the British government committed to introducing an Irish Language Act and to working with the Northern...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Transport (25 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The following table shows details of the cost of Ministerial transport in my Department in the years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. Official cars are not provided to Ministers of State. The figures reflect the motor travel allowances claimed for official travel undertaken in accordance with guidelines set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Salaries paid to the official...