Results 4,021-4,040 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency (14 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 32 together. An overarching focus of the Government in planning for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2013 is to run an efficient and cost-effective Presidency. The Government decided in December 2011 to allocate a budget in the order of €60m over 2012 and 2013 to resource the Presidency,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Missions (14 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Minister of State for Trade and Development, Joe Costello, TD, made an official visit to Malaysia from 24-28 October. This was followed by a visit to Vietnam from 28-31 October. Malaysia is a priority market under the Government’s Strategy and Action Plan for Irish Trade, Tourism and Investment to 2015 which sets out the overarching framework for rebuilding and repositioning...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Economic Policy (14 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: In September 2011, I launched the new Africa Strategy of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the first Africa Ireland Economic Forum in Dublin. The Strategy builds on Ireland’s longstanding relationship with Africa, based on political support and the Irish people’s commitment to working to end poverty and hunger in some of the poorest countries on the continent. It...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Catalan Self-determination (14 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: It is a matter for the people of any country of the European Union to establish the arrangements for their own democratic governance and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on that process in any one country.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Neutrality (14 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: No commitment has been made in the Programme for Government to discontinue the use of Shannon Airport by the United States military. What the Programme states is that “we will enforce the prohibition on the use of Irish airspace, airports and related facilities for purposes not in line with international law”. Arrangements for the overflight and landing of US military aircraft...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Nuclear Issues (14 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 49 and 57 together. The EU and others have been engaged for almost eight years in efforts to negotiate with Iran a solution to the issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme. The EU High Representative, Cathy Ashton, has led negotiations for the E3+3 group (UK, France, Germany, US, Russia and China) with Iran at three negotiating sessions this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (14 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland’s diplomatic network includes 56 Embassies, 7 multilateral Missions and 10 Consulates General and other offices overseas. In addition to their country of primary accreditation, many Ambassadors are also accredited to additional countries on a non-resident basis which enhances the cost-effectiveness of our external representation. Our missions abroad perform a wide range of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (14 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I am, of course, aware of the proposals referred to by the Deputy. The size, scale and distribution of Ireland’s diplomatic network is kept under review by my Department and considered by the Government on an ongoing basis. Any decision to adjust the State’s external representation by closing, opening or relocating missions must be made having regard to clear national...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency (14 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 58 and 59 together. Ireland will hold the Presidency of the European Union for the seventh time during the first half of 2013. This Presidency will also coincide with the 40th anniversary of Ireland’s accession to the European Union. As in the past, our overriding objective will be to demonstrate that Ireland is a strong supporter of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations Resolutions (14 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: It is expected that the UN General Assembly may be asked to vote, perhaps as early as this month, on a resolution to admit Palestine as an ‘Observer State’ at the UN. This would be less than full membership but an advance on Palestine’s current status, that of an observer organisation. This move has long been anticipated. A draft resolution to that effect has just...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Access (14 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The recent violence which engulfed the city of Bani Walid and claimed up to thirty lives was gravely worrying. The fighting broke out when the authorities attempted to arrest militants alleged to have captured and tortured Omran Shaaban, the rebel fighter credited with Gaddafi’s capture. Given the large number of people killed -- many of them civilians -- during the fighting and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Illegal Israeli Settlements (14 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I have stated previously in the House that I believe that Israel’s policy of relentless settlement expansion is now the major obstacle to achieving peace in the Middle East. It is, accordingly, inimical to the real interests of Israelis and Palestinians alike. Many injustices and humiliations, furthermore, are visited upon Palestinians as a consequence of this policy. I am...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Presidency (14 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As we approach January 2013 and Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, there has been discussion at all of my recent meetings with partners on our Presidency agenda. At all meetings I have emphasised that the main focus of the Irish Presidency will be on measures to create jobs and growth in Europe. I have also taken the opportunity to discuss the busy foreign...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Recruitment (14 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: My Department takes the issue of risk extremely seriously. A risk register is maintained by a risk group chaired by an Assistant Secretary. In addition, risk is reviewed at monthly meetings of the Management Committee. The Department also has professionally qualified staff employed in its Finance sections. The Department’s Audit Committee has nevertheless recommended that the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (14 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland has been working for many years to assist the office of the Auditor General in Uganda. Building the capacity of key financial oversight institutions in our partner countries is an essential component of our aid programmes. In Uganda, we have increased our support to these key institutions in recent years to ensure that the systems through which Government deliver development...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Missions (14 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I launched the new Africa Strategy of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in September 2011. A progress report on its implementation was presented by the Minister of State for Trade and Development, Joe Costello T.D., at the second Africa Ireland Economic Forum, which took place in Dublin on 22 October 2012. The progress report details the measures which have been put in place over...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services (14 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Over the last decade, the number of Irish citizens travelling abroad has increased dramatically, there were over 6.2 million visits abroad by Irish residents in 2011. As the number of Irish citizens travelling and living abroad continues to rise, so also does the need for consular assistance and support. In 2011, this Department assisted almost 1,500 Irish citizens following serious...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (14 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government’s aid programme, which is managed by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is sharply focused on the fight against global poverty and hunger. Our partnership with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) represents a very important element in this effort. About a quarter of Ireland’s development assistance is channelled through development...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (14 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Addressing human rights concerns, including conflict, ethnic cleansing and or human rights abuses, remains central to our foreign policy. With its EU partners, Ireland closely monitors the human rights situations in many countries, including post-conflict countries, throughout the world. We do this on the basis of information obtained from a variety of sources, including both official...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (14 Nov 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 65 together. With regard to the prospects for on Palestinian-Israeli issues, I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question 7 (50191/12) earlier today. In relation to the question of a permanent structure, I would refer him to my reply to him in response to Question 70 (45233/12) on 17 October, which included the following: “I do not think...