Results 3,041-3,060 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Fiscal Policy (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: While the issue of the transfer of fiscal powers from London to Stormont is a matter for another jurisdiction, I have said publically that I would view a reduction in the corporation tax in Northern Ireland as an opportunity for the whole island. This issue has been a subject of discussion at meetings I have had with the British Government and has also been raised at Plenary meetings of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Prison Committals (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 52 together. Policy on the placement and treatment of a country’s nationals in prison in the European Union is a matter for the democratically elected government and the relevant competent authorities in each Member State in accordance with domestic, European and international law, and, as such, it would be inappropriate for me to become...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European External Action Service (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: A number of member States have suggested that the EU External Action Service should have greater control over the European Union’s Neighbourhood Policy and development aid budget in the context of the EEAS Review. Ireland is supportive of a strong EEAS that fulfils the vision set out in the Lisbon Treaty of an effective and coherent EU foreign policy. The EEAS has achieved much in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: North-South Ministerial Council (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 61 together. As the project in question is in the process of undergoing an economic review within the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland, it would be inappropriate at this time to discuss it at the North South Ministerial Council level. I can assure you, however, that we support this important project. The Government and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I have noted on many occasions in the past year, including here in the Oireachtas, that the Middle East Peace Process has become bogged down and is badly in need of a renewed impetus. The uncertainties linked to the elections in both Israel and the USA contributed to this stalemate. Conversely, the renewed electoral mandates now of both the Israeli Government and the US Administration...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 56 together. I have consistently stressed, since I took office, the need for an end to the wide range of restrictions imposed on Gaza by Israel. These restrictions have been imposed in response to actions by militant groups in Gaza but their effect is impacting very negatively on the whole population. One of them has been the confining of fishing...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Programmes (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: EU cooperation programmes with external partner countries, and entities located in them, are administered by the European Commission; my Department is not in a position to monitor enterprises in those countries or entities which might be in receipt of some degree of EU support. I think it is likely that some enterprises based in settlements may have benefitted from EU programmes in the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency Issues (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I have made every effort to ensure that the Northern Irish Administration has been fully sensitised to our Presidency of the EU and I first raised it in a detailed manner with the First Minister and deputy First Minister at an NSMC Institutional meeting on 27 April 2012. My aim has been to ensure that we gain maximum mutual benefit from the Presidency. The Irish Presidency and other...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: On Wednesday 20 March Syria formally requested the UN Secretary General to undertake an investigation into the alleged use of chemical weapons in Khan al-Asal, near Aleppo, following an alleged attack on Tuesday 19 March. It is not the first time that allegations of chemical weapons use have been made in the current Syrian conflict. Reports concerning the use of a known chemical weapon...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Nuclear Proliferation (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland has for some time called upon Israel to accede to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) without further delay and to place all of its nuclear facilities under comprehensive International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards. We have repeatedly called for universality of the Treaty in national as well as EU statements and also through our participation in the New Agenda Coalition....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of the case of the Zimbabwean human rights lawyer who was arrested recently in Harare. The European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe in Harare is also following the case closely, and members of its staff have maintained regular contact with the person involved. We have been informed by the Delegation that the lawyer was granted bail by the Zimbabwean High Court on Monday, 25 March,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government identified the need to advance the prospects of an EU-US trade and investment agreement as a key priority for Ireland’s EU Presidency. I am pleased to report that significant progress has already been achieved with the decision of 13 February last by EU and US leaders to launch negotiations in the coming months. The EU and the US are two of the world’s largest...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Brazil, now the world’s sixth largest economy, is a priority market under the Government’s Trade Strategy. Officials of my Department work closely with State Agencies to promote trade and investment opportunities in this significant market. The overall trend in trade with Brazil is very positive. Ireland’s exports to Brazil reached €256 million in 2012, up 58% on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 81 together. The position of undocumented Irish immigrants in the United States and the need to provide opportunities for future legal migration between Ireland and the US, through Ireland’s inclusion in the E3 visa programme, are important priorities for the Government. Both objectives featured prominently in the meetings the Taoiseach and I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 68, 77 and 78 together. The situation in Syria was the major issue discussed at the most recent Foreign Affairs Council meeting, which I attended in Brussels on 11 March, and also at the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers which I co-hosted with High Representative Ashton in Dublin on 22-23 March. These discussions focussed on how the EU can best...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Graduate Support Schemes (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Since Ireland joined the European Union, Ireland has been well represented in the EU institutions relative to its population, including at very senior level. From 2004 to 2010, however, the annual recruitment competition was only open to the new Member States. Since the reopening of competitions to all EU Member States, there have been a disappointing number of successful Irish candidates....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I have discussed the role of the Parades Commission in the context of non-notified parades and the upcoming marching season with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers on a number of occasions. I have also discussed these issues in regular ongoing contacts with the party leaders in Northern Ireland, and most recently in Washington DC with the First and Deputy First...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 80 together. Enlargement is one of the most successful EU policies, and it is a priority for the Irish Presidency. We see it as a vital tool for promoting reform, democracy and stability in the Western Balkans and throughout Europe, and we are working to facilitate and advance the process for all candidates and prospective candidates. Of those...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I attended the most recent Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on 11 March. In her opening remarks to the Council, High Representative Ashton briefed Ministers on a range of topics including the Iran 3+3 talks, the elections in Kenya and progress in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. France and the UK intervened on developments in Mali, Germany debriefed on developments in the DPRK and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Treaties (28 Mar 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Article 3 of the Treaty on the European Union states that the European Union’s “aim is to promote peace, its values and the well being of its peoples”. Furthermore, Article 21c of the Treaty specifies that the EU shall work to “preserve peace, prevent conflicts and strengthen international security”. The EU’s achievements in this regard were...