Results 2,961-2,980 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore
- Other Questions: Common Foreign and Security Policy (28 Mar 2013)
Eamon Gilmore: Ireland is taking an active interest in the EEAS review, which was also the subject of discussions at the informal meeting of EU foreign Ministers which I co-hosted with the EU High Representative, Baroness Ashton, in Dublin last weekend. We support a strong European External Action Service that fulfils the vision set out in the Lisbon treaty of an effective and coherent EU foreign policy....
- Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (28 Mar 2013)
Eamon Gilmore: Deputy Smith asked me to outline the lead units in the Department. The Europe division is the lead unit for all 29 bilateral missions in Europe, as well as the permanent representation of Ireland to the European Union and the mission to the OECD and UNESCO. The Anglo-Irish division is the lead unit for 12 missions in the US, Canada, the UK and Australia, as well as the British-Irish...
- Other Questions: Nuclear Proliferation (28 Mar 2013)
Eamon Gilmore: Let us be clear about Ireland's position in regard to nuclear weapons. Ireland has consistently sought a situation where the world is free of nuclear weapons, and that is our consistent foreign policy position. There are two elements to that. First, we ask that all states join the non-proliferation treaty. I again call on those states which are outside it, including Israel, to join the...
- Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (28 Mar 2013)
Eamon Gilmore: In fulfilment of the commitment made in the programme for Government, a two-day conference of Ireland’s heads of mission abroad, entitled Promoting Ireland Abroad, was held in Dublin on 1-2 June 2011. The conference was designed to ensure the heads of mission were fully briefed on the Government’s new approach to promoting and marketing Ireland as a country in which to do...
- Other Questions: Nuclear Proliferation (28 Mar 2013)
Eamon Gilmore: It is important to distinguish between the different circumstances of Iran and Israel, particularly with regard to compliance with the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, under which Iran asserts its right to nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. In doing so, Iran has committed itself as it must not to engage in a nuclear weapons programme and to co-operate fully with the International Atomic...
- Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (28 Mar 2013)
Eamon Gilmore: What we need to do is to expand our footprint around the world. One point we mentioned was that in seven of our missions in European Union capitals we operate a mission with one diplomat. It is a very lean operation. What I would like to be able to do, and I hope we will be able to do this as resources become available, is to expand the number of places where we have resident missions....
- Other Questions: Overseas Development Aid (28 Mar 2013)
Eamon Gilmore: It is an interesting reply. It is coming up shortly.
- Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (28 Mar 2013)
Eamon Gilmore: The Government decision in November 2011 to close our resident embassies to the Holy See and Iran and our development office in East Timor was taken with considerable reluctance as part of a necessary budget process to reduce costs. The closure of the resident embassy to the Holy See has yielded substantial savings, not least as it enabled the significantly larger embassy to Italy and the...
- Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (28 Mar 2013)
Eamon Gilmore: As I said at the time, the appointment of the Secretary General of my Department as non-resident ambassador to the Holy See signalled the importance and significance which the Government attaches to our diplomatic relations with the Holy See. We have a small but good diplomatic service. Our representation in terms of the countries wherein we have resident missions and the number of...
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (28 Mar 2013)
Eamon Gilmore: I did not see the television report to which Deputy Crowe referred but I join him in expressing my sympathy and the sympathy of the Government to those who have been killed in Syria. There is a continuing slaughter of people in Syria, as the Deputy said. Current UN estimates are that 70,000 people have been killed, although that may be a conservative estimate. Approximately 1 million people...
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (28 Mar 2013)
Eamon Gilmore: The position of undocumented Irish immigrants in the United States and the need to provide opportunities for future legal migration between Ireland and the USA through Ireland's inclusion in the E-3 visa programme are important priorities for the Government. Both objectives featured prominently in the meetings the Taoiseach and I held in Washington with the US Administration and Congress...
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (28 Mar 2013)
Eamon Gilmore: There are two parts to the Deputy's question. The issue of comprehensive immigration reform which will address the needs of the undocumented Irish was part of the discussion. We also requested at our meetings that an E-3 visa arrangement be put in place for Irish people travelling to work in the United States of America. There are two parts to this, the first of which deals with the...
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (28 Mar 2013)
Eamon Gilmore: Considerable efforts are being made to speak to Senators and Representatives to ensure we widen the number of individuals to whom we talk beyond those Senators and Representatives who have provided very welcome support for Ireland and Irish causes in the past. I met Senator John McCain during my visit and spoke to him on the telephone some time ago. I spoke to Representative Jim...
- Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (28 Mar 2013)
Eamon Gilmore: I propose to respond to Questions Nos. 2 and 4 together. At its meeting on 14 and 15 March the European Council asked the Foreign Affairs Council to discuss EU policy on Syria, in particular the question of the sanctions regime and the arms embargo in place until 1 June. These issues constituted the major topic of discussion at the informal meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers which...
- Order of Business (28 Mar 2013)
Eamon Gilmore: The heads of the Bill are being drafted. It is expected to be published later in the year.
- Order of Business (28 Mar 2013)
Eamon Gilmore: As I said, we have to await the outcome of the ballot on the Croke Park II agreement, which is still under way. If the agreement is accepted, there will be a need to legislate to give effect to some of its provisions.
- Order of Business (28 Mar 2013)
Eamon Gilmore: The child and family support agency Bill is under discussion in the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Office of the Attorney General. Some issues are still outstanding. It is expected that the Bill will be published in the next session.
- Order of Business (28 Mar 2013)
Eamon Gilmore: There is ongoing consideration of the views of the Oireachtas committee on the significant policy, operational and legal issues that arise in the context of the proposed Children First legislation. It is expected that the Bill will be introduced in the next session.
- Order of Business (28 Mar 2013)
Eamon Gilmore: There is no legislation arising from it.
- Order of Business (28 Mar 2013)
Eamon Gilmore: The heads of a water services (No. 2) Bill have not yet been agreed to.