Results 2,381-2,400 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Leaders' Questions (20 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The financial allocation for special education needs in 2011 was €1.3 billion and the allocation in 2013 is €1.3 billion.

Leaders' Questions (20 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The number of resource teachers currently is 9,950 and that has not been reduced. The number of special needs assistants is 10,575 and that is not being reduced. If one considers the totality of the education system, at present there are approximately 59,000 teachers working therein, 32,000 of them at primary level and 27,000 at post-primary level. Of those teachers, 9,950 are resource...

Leaders' Questions (20 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: In addition, the Minister has asked the National Council for Special Education to establish a working group to begin immediately to develop a proposal for a revised allocation mechanism for learning support and resource teachers. The aim of this new mechanism will be to ensure that learning support and resource teachers are targeted at those schools and children who need them most.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (19 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I have noted the decision by President Obama on 14 June to review current US support to the Syrian civilian opposition and, in particular, expand US assistance to the Syrian Supreme Military Council to include military assistance.Given the continuous deterioration of the Syrian crisis with a death toll now estimated at more than 93,000 and an unprecedented humanitarian emergency now affecting...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Issues (19 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland and its EU partners support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia. In that context the issue of recognition of, or diplomatic relations with, Abkhazia does not arise.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (19 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The European Council in December 2013 will include a thematic discussion on security and defence issues. The European Council on 13-14 December 2012 adopted conclusions inviting the High Representative, notably through the European External Action Service and the European Defence Agency, as well as the Commission, all acting in accordance with their respective responsibilities and cooperating...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Common Foreign and Security Policy (19 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty on 1 December 2009 altered the institutional arrangements for the external representation of the European Union. The creation of the role of High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and the establishment of the European External Action Service ( EEAS) to support the work of the High Representative, significantly reduced the role of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Court of Human Rights (18 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Judges of the European Court of Human Rights are elected by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe with respect to each High Contracting Party (State) by a majority of votes cast from a list of three candidates nominated by the Government of that State. The Convention, as amended by Protocol 14, stipulates that the term of office of a judge of the Court is nine years and may not...

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

Eamon Gilmore: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (commonly referred to as “drones”) are used for both civilian and military purposes. Their use in armed conflict is subject to international humanitarian law. This sets specific requirements in relation to the use of force in armed conflict, including the principles of necessity, proportionality and distinction. I am deeply concerned about any...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Travel (18 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: 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. Exports by indigenous Irish Enterprise Ireland client companies...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Relations Contracts Expenditure (18 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: My Department does not engage external consultants for public relations purposes. Occasionally, consultants or companies with some communications experience are commissioned to provide services such as project management, logistics and event management. I am very conscious of the need to achieve value for money on all consultant expenditure and commissioning of such work is in full...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: North-South Ministerial Council (18 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: While the final agenda for the Plenary meeting, which is to take place in July, has still to be agreed with the Northern Ireland administration, it is likely that discussions will touch on financial, economic and EU matters. On this occasion, I expect that Ministers from North and South will together take the opportunity to review our EU residency including the involvement of Northern...

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

Eamon Gilmore: The Minister of State for European Affairs attended the European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg on 11-12 June 2013. The Minister represented the Council in the key plenary debate on preparations for the European Council meeting of 27-28 June, which focused in particular on the European Semester, European Monetary Union, Banking Union, improving access to finance for small and medium...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Appointments to State Boards (18 Jun 2013)

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

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (18 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I was delighted to accept the kind invitation of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia, Ms. Vesna Pusiç, to attend the central celebration in Zagreb on the occasion of Croatia’s accession to the EU on 30 June. I look forward to attending this historic celebration and to welcoming Croatia into the EU on 1 July on behalf of the...

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

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 to 77, inclusive, together. Under the ECF, the Department is required to reduce core staffing to a total of 1,348 by end-2015, representing a decrease of 224 posts - over 14% - against a September 2008 baseline figure of 1,572.That process is ongoing. As vacancies arise, including in the Passport Service, the Department is obliged to reallocate and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Sick Leave (18 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Details of the sick leave recorded as taken by staff of my Department in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 are set out in the following table. Year Uncertified Sick Days Average number of uncertified sick days per FTE * Certified  Sick Days Average number of certified  sick days per FTE * Total number of sick days Average number of sick days per FTE * 2009 1070 0.85 8673.3 6.96 9,743.3...

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

Eamon Gilmore: On foot of discussions which I had with the Foreign Secretary in autumn 2011, the two Governments have agreed to seek to address and resolve jurisdictional issues relating to both Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough. To this end, a series of meetings at official level have taken place involving the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Northern Ireland Office, the Office of the First and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Bodies (18 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: There are no regulators accountable to my Department.

Leaders' Questions: Order of Business (13 Jun 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Some of the issues arising from the Mahon and other tribunals have already been acted upon in the Government's legislation - for example, the provisions with regard to limitations on political donations and declaration of political donations, and the registration of lobbyists legislation, which is progressing. Some specific planning issues arise from the Mahon tribunal and a legislative...