Results 3,401-3,420 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Let us be clear about where Sinn Féin is coming from.

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: This is from the Dáil record.

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: There are many things Sinn Féin can censor but it cannot censor the Dáil record. It is here for all time. Deputy Adams's party was an enthusiast for tying the bank debt to the sovereign in 2008. The Government has been working since we came into office to separate it. It is not easy. There are different elements to it. We have secured an agreement at European level on the...

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I thank Deputy McGrath for his acknowledgement that the agreement concluded will ease the burden of repayment on the Irish taxpayer. On the broader issues which he raised - there may be confusion about where this fits with the decision taken in June to separate bank and sovereign debt and the progress on banking union - the Government has always said there were two elements to the bank debt...

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Yes, this year. The Deputy will be aware that the Central Bank interest rate arrangement is slightly less than 1%. The balance between the 1% and 3% to 3.5%, which will be profits, will be returned by the Central Bank to the Exchequer. The net effect is as stated. This is a basket of bonds, the average duration of which is 34.5 years, and €1 billion off the deficit. In terms of...

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: On the June deal, it is important it is not seen as a type of gift from on high. The June deal was achieved because we worked for it. The Deputy will be aware that Ireland was one of the few states which, in the early part of the discussions with its European partners, argued strongly for a change of European policy in respect of bank debt. We secured that change in European policy at the...

Promissory Notes: Statements (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: This is a good day for our State, economy and people. This is more than just a financial watershed; it is an opportunity for our country and economy to take a decisive step forward into the future our people deserve. I pay warm tribute to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, for the enormous work he has done to bring us to this point.

Promissory Notes: Statements (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Together with a small team of officials, he has given himself fully to the task and this result is a tremendous tribute to his skill and determination. Those involved in "Project Red", as it became known, are aware of what it took to get this done. I thank them on behalf of the Government and people of Ireland. I also thank the officials in the Departments of the Taoiseach and Public...

Promissory Notes: Statements (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: However, this deal is also a testimony to the Deputies in this House who have had the courage to support the Government in the difficult work we have had to do. It is the accomplishment of those who have kept faith and put their country first, understood the bigger picture and put the long-term well-being of the Irish people ahead of short-term political advantage. I thank them today for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Capital Expenditure Programme (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: My Department does not operate any public capital programme. There is an administrative capital provision which is mainly directed towards ICT and accommodation provision. The Department’s total capital expenditure in 2012 came to €2.5 million, of which €2.28 million was in respect of Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and €237,000 in respect of Vote 27 (Irish Aid.)

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Global Economic Forum (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I have decided to convene a third Global Irish Economic Forum in October of this year. The decision follows Government consideration of the matter at its meeting on 29 January 2013. The Forums 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Exports Growth (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Figures for exports in January 2013 are not yet available. The most recent figures available, for November 2012, show merchandise exports to Britain from January to November 2012 totalling €14.132bn. This represents a 7% increase on exports during the same period in 2011. It is hoped that trade figures for the entire year of 2012 will be available shortly. I am not aware of any...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Scottish Independence (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The people of Scotland will vote in a referendum in 2014 on the question of independence. Until then, any question about possible independence is hypothetical. If Scotland decides to become an independent country, the matter of EU membership would be for the government of Scotland to consider in the first instance and it is not appropriate for me to say what they should do. As part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Defence Forces Equipment (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland does not possess, and has never possessed, any weapons, armaments or ammunition containing depleted uranium. It is the firm policy of the Government that depleted uranium munitions will never be used by the Defence Forces. Ireland has voted in favour of the four resolutions on depleted uranium taken at the United Nations General Assembly since 2007, most recently in December 2012...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Details are set out in the following table of retired public sector officials who are currently contracted to my Department: GRADE POSITION HELD DURATION Assistant Secretary Passport Appeals Officer Three-year contract from 20 January 2012 to deal with appeals as and when they arise. Counsellor To assist in preparations for and for the period of the Irish Presidency of the European...

Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I have to say the contributions of other Members were quite remarkable. Here we had Member after Member, whether from Sinn Féin or from the various views contained on the Opposition benches, people who-----

Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: -----have spent the past two years calling for the liquidation and winding up of the IBRC-----

Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: -----on the very night we introduce the legislation to do just that, the only thing we could hear from these Deputies was them scrambling to find some kind of an argument on which to oppose it. I have to say the arguments they found were bizarre, ridiculous and bear no examination by anybody who wants to see a serious debate on these issues.

Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: During this week a series of rumours began to circulate about the future of IBRC-----

Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: -----which in the opinion of the Government constituted a potential financial risk. Today, the Minister for Finance took the view that these risks had become too great to sustain. Accordingly, and in line with a contingency plan which has been in place for some time in the Department of Finance, he moved to secure the company, and tonight we are moving to provide formally for its...