Results 3,321-3,340 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Affairs (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The European Council on 7-8 February took stock of Europe's relations with its southern neighbours, two years after the first democratic uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt in early 2011, and considered how to enhance the EU’s strategic partnership with the countries of the region. Overall, and while there have been difficult days and many setbacks along the way, as evident in Syria, the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Global Economic Forum (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Global Irish Economic Forum held in 2009 and 2011 and the related Global Irish Network have made a substantive contribution to the Government’s jobs and growth agenda and to the restoration of our international reputation. The Progress Reports of the 2011 Forum, published in March and October 2012, highlight the wide range of outcomes progressed, including the following specific...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: This case has been brought to my attention and I understand that it is due to be examined by the Sentence Review Commissioners in Northern Ireland. That being the case, it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further. The issue of prisons within Northern Ireland is a devolved matter to the Northern Ireland Executive and, specifically, to the Department of Justice in Northern...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Correspondence (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Policy on the placement 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 law and, as such, it would be inappropriate for me to comment.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I have consistently drawn attention to demolition of Palestinian homes and property by Israeli forces, including in the Jordan Valley. This relentless process serves to poison relationships between the two peoples and is the exact opposite of what would be done by a government actively pursuing confidence building and reconciliation. I am seriously concerned by a significant rise in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: State Visits (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Deepening relations between Britain and Ireland, including through high-level visits, is a priority for this Government. The visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 2011 symbolised the modern and friendly relationship of equals which exists between our two countries. Building on the momentum generated by that visit, President Higgins has visit Britain on 3 separate occasions since his inauguration...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Prisons policy in Northern Ireland, and the conditions prevailing within them, is a devolved matter overseen by the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland and an executive agency of that Department, the Northern Ireland Prison Service. I have received a full briefing on the assessment of an Oireachtas delegation that recently visited Maghaberry Prison and can assure the House that we...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government remains firmly committed to ensuring the full and effective implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, including the provision relating to a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. The Good Friday Agreement sets out that a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland would include rights reflecting the principles of mutual respect for the identity and ethos of both communities and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Since the outbreak of street violence in early December, I have had frequent contact, both with the British Government and with party leaders. My most recent meeting with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers MP was here in Dublin on Monday 11 February. We agreed to continue working together to support the parties in Northern Ireland in addressing both the underlying and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Rapid Response Initiative (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: As outlined in my reply to Question No. 6851/13, my Department coordinates the participation by Irish civilians in a number of international operations. In particular we manage the response to requests for participation in UN and EU humanitarian missions through the Rapid Response Corps as well as requests for participation in civilian crisis management missions overseen by the EU’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions No. 77 and No. 78 together. As the Deputy will be aware from previous responses to questions in relation to the person named my officials remain in close and direct contact with the person’s wife and family and they liaise directly with her on all developments in his case. The Ambassador and officers in the Embassy in New Delhi, which is accredited to Sri...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I refer the Deputy to my reply of 16 January concerning this matter. The Deputy will be aware that there was widespread revulsion at the attempted murder of Malala Yousafzai last October. The shooting was condemned by the High Representative/Vice President of the European Commission, Catherine Ashton, and the Secretary General of the Nations, Ban Ki-Moon. I too expressed and continue to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Western Balkans Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 to 82, inclusive, together. EU enlargement is a priority for the Irish Presidency. We see it as a vital tool for promoting reform, democracy and stability in Europe, and we are working to facilitate and advance the process for all candidates and prospective candidates. At the December 2012 General Affairs Council there was substantive discussion on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Exports Growth (20 Feb 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 the first nine months of 2012 reached €66 billion; an increase of 23% on the same period in 2010 (€54 billion). In terms of our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union Membership (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The UK’s relationship with the European Union is a matter, in the first instance, for its Government and people. I would, however, hope to see it continue to play a full and active part into the future and this is something which I and my Ministerial colleagues continue to communicate in our contacts with the British government. Like all Member States, the UK gains from its...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Tourism Promotion (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: St. Patrick’s Day offers a unique opportunity to promote Ireland’s economic and political interests overseas, with levels of publicity and media attention unmatched by the national day of any other country. This year, as with previous years, it is the intention of the Government to maximise all opportunities generated by Saint Patrick’s Day, including the traditional...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Communities Abroad (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: One of the key priorities for our Missions abroad is to engage on an ongoing basis with Irish communities. St. Patrick’s Day provides an invaluable opportunity to engage directly with Irish communities around the world. St. Patrick’s Day provides an invaluable opportunity to further deepen this interaction. Each Ministerial programme during the period will include substantive...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 89 together. The welfare of the Irish abroad in general and especially the position of undocumented Irish immigrants in the United States remains an important priority for the Government. A resolution of the situation for undocumented Irish immigrants will continue to be pursued by the Government in our ongoing contacts with the US Administration...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Neither Ireland nor, as far as I am aware, the European Union or the United Nations maintains a list of countries in regard to the violations highlighted by the Deputy. In our foreign policy, which is expressed in direct contact with other countries or multilaterally through the EU, the UN, and other international bodies such as the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, we...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The imprisonment of Ms Yulia Tymoshenko remains a matter of deep concern to Ireland, to its EU partners and to the wider international community. I refer the Deputy to my reply to the Dáil on this matter on 16 January 2013. In common with our EU partners, we will continue to monitor closely developments in this case. On the issue of due process, the Conclusions adopted by EU Ministers at...