Results 3,341-3,360 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Magdalen Laundries Report: Statements (19 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I join the Taoiseach, my fellow Ministers in Government and, I believe, every Member of this House in offering, on behalf of the State and the Irish people, a heartfelt apology to the survivors of the Magdelen laundries. I say to all of those women, some of whom are with us today: We have heard you, we believe you and we are profoundly sorry for what was done to you, and that what happened...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Appointments (19 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 200, 202 and 203 together. There are no State agencies or commercial bodies operating under the aegis of my Department. The Fulbright Commission has a unique status in that it was established pursuant to an international agreement, is funded jointly with the US Government and is therefore not a body solely under the aegis of the Department of Foreign...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency Priorities (19 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: During our Presidency, the Irish Government is focusing on measures to restore Europe’s financial stability, stimulate sustainable economic growth and, above all, to promote jobs. Ireland’s Presidency agenda reflects very closely our domestic priorities. The opening phase of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU is now over. Our Presidency Programme “for...

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

Eamon Gilmore: The situation in Mali has been discussed at all recent meetings of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, most recently at the Council meeting I attended in Brussels yesterday. The Council yesterday adopted comprehensive conclusions which reaffirm the EU’s support for international efforts to support stabilisation in Mali and to counter the threat of terrorism. Recognising that the issues...

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

Eamon Gilmore: Since the crisis first erupted almost two years ago, the EU has been prompt in adopting a wide range of restrictive measures targeted against the Assad regime and its supporters to compel them to stop their brutal crackdown and engage in an inclusive process of national dialogue aiming for transition and reform within Syria. EU sanctions include a series of individual listings as well as...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Nuclear Proliferation (19 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I welcome and strongly support the initiative by the Norwegian Government to host an International Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons. I believe this conference - and, indeed, the discussion on this topic more generally - will help to highlight the calamitous, unmanageable and immoral implications of any use, whether accidental or deliberate, of nuclear weapons. It...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (19 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Over the past 5 years, Ireland has allocated over €196 million in aid to Uganda through our aid programme, including through civil society organisations. This aid is working. Since commencing our work in Uganda in 1994, we have witnessed huge improvements in the quality of life for the Ugandan people. Peace has returned to most of the country after generations of war. There are now...

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

Eamon Gilmore: As I have stated consistently, the decision to close the resident Embassy to the Holy See will not be reversed in the immediate term. However, in the context of the budgetary situation, I will continue to review the deployment of our diplomatic resources overseas. The Villa Spada is now the location of our Embassy to the Italian Republic. Any discussions with the Holy See on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (19 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan was launched in January 2010, and a Single Economic Space, based on a set of agreements covering subjects from the coordination of macroeconomic and fiscal policies to labour migration and technical regulation, became operational in January 2012. The Presidents of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan have declared their intention to form a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (19 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: 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 Lanka, and the Honorary Consul of Ireland Office in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (19 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Passport Service has no record of a new application on behalf of the persons named. It is therefore not possible to make a statement on whether a new passport can issue at this time.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Extraordinary Rendition Flights (19 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland has not permitted, does not permit and will not permit the use of Shannon Airport for the practice of extraordinary rendition. The Government’s complete opposition to this practice is reflected in the Programme for Government, which states that ‘we will enforce the prohibition on the use of Irish airspace, airports and related facilities for purposes not in line with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (19 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement states that respect for human rights and democratic principles are an essential element of the Agreement. This is an important clause which has been included at the EU’s insistence in all the Association Agreements with neighbouring states. It puts human rights clearly on the table as a matter for mutual concern and discussion. This...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UK Referendum on EU Membership (19 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 223 together. The UK’s relationship with the European Union is of course a matter, in the first instance, for its Government and people. Any question of a referendum is therefore a matter for the Government and people of the UK. I would, however, hope to see it continue to play a full and active part in the EU into the future. In common...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: G8 Summits (19 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I welcomed the announcement by Prime Minister Cameron last November that Enniskillen in County Fermanagh would be the venue for the G8 summit. The announcement has also been warmly welcomed by political leaders in Northern Ireland. The summit will be the biggest international diplomatic gathering to be held in Northern Ireland and underlines the ongoing progress of the peace process. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Boston College Archives (19 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Boston College has a long history of positive support for, and engagement in, the field of Irish Studies. It has played an important role in recording the history of Northern Ireland and the peace process which will be of ongoing value to historians and the study of conflict resolution. In March 2011 the British Government, acting on behalf of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, initiated...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (19 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: 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 migrants will continue to be an important priority for the Government in our ongoing contacts with the US Administration and Congress. This issue will remain a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency Priorities (19 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The visit to Dublin by President Barroso and the College of Commissioners on 10 January was an important opportunity for the Irish Presidency to outline its priorities and to consult with the Commission on how best these could be advanced. The visit opened with a plenary meeting between the Government and the College which confirmed a high level of support for the Presidency priorities of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (19 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 230 together. The Irish Government continues to seek an independent public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane as committed to in the Weston Park Agreement; on the basis of the findings of Judge Cory on the likelihood of state collusion. The work undertaken by Desmond De Silva QC can facilitate this, in my opinion, by helping ensure that an...

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

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 229 together. The conflict in the Middle East was discussed in the Foreign Affairs Council on 10 December 2012 and again at the 18 February meeting of the Council. Because of its wide and destructive implications for the Middle East peace process, the settlements issue almost invariably arises in discussions of this conflict. Ireland has been...