Results 4,201-4,220 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Other Questions: Human Rights Issues (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: In our relations with any country, be it Saudi Arabia or elsewhere, we look at the totality of the relationship; it is never based on one issue. Our relationship with Saudi Arabia encompasses a range of issues including both trade promotion and human rights. The total level of trade with Saudi Arabia stands at €900 million annually and that is very much tilted in Ireland's favour....

Other Questions: Human Rights Issues (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Our trade with Saudi Arabia is important. It is worth €900 million at a time when we have a huge number of people out of work in this country. We have suffered an economic difficulty and must trade our way out of that. That means we must export and this is an important export market. It is overwhelmingly in our favour, running at €850 million in exports and €50 million...

Other Questions: Commemorative Events (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: This year marks the commemoration of the Home Rule Bill and the Ulster Covenant. I know there were concerns, particularly ahead of the events in Balmoral in April and, more recently, on 29 September, and I am very pleased the events passed peacefully. I commend all those who took an active role in working with communities and different interests to ensure that was the case. In a way that...

Other Questions: Human Rights Issues (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The fuel allowance scheme referred to by the Deputy is a scheme administered by the National Protection Unit, which operates under the Colombian Ministry of the Interior. The purpose of the fuel allowance scheme is to facilitate trade union leaders and human rights defenders using protective vehicles as they carry out their difficult and dangerous work. It is my understanding that the...

Other Questions: Human Rights Issues (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The importance of protection for trade unionists and human rights defenders features prominently in our dialogue with the Colombian authorities. I raised it with the Vice President when I met him earlier this year. Our ambassador accredited to Colombia has also raised the issue, and that is ongoing. In the EU context, both Ireland and the EU believe that ensuring the safety of human rights...

Other Questions: Human Rights Issues (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I agree that these discussions are historic. We will pay close attention to what takes place in the discussions in Oslo. I have asked our ambassador accredited to Colombia to continue to raise these issues with the Colombian authorities and to report to me on his observations, conclusions and whatever responses he receives. In so far as the human rights situation is concerned in Colombia...

Other Questions: Commemorative Events (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The decade of commemorations is a regular feature of discussions at all levels with the Northern Ireland Executive and the British Government. I most recently discussed the issue with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers MP, at our meeting of 17 September 2012. This useful exchange of views built on previous constructive dialogue with her predecessor at the...

Other Questions: Commemorative Events (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I agree with Deputy Smith. In this decade, which is already under way, we will commemorate the events that shaped our independence in this State and shaped the history of the island for the past 100 years. Respect, mutual understanding and reconciliation must be part of our remembrance of our shared history. It is also important that we recognise that the history of that period is not only...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Peace Process (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: This Government and its predecessor made the Middle East a priority in foreign policy. That will continue to be the case and that is why we pressed hard for a strong statement at the EU Foreign Affairs Council. That is why we took the position that there must be follow through. I have asked that, during our Presidency, we review what was decided in May. On a technical point, the Foreign...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Human Rights Issues (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 5 together. I have made clear to the House on numerous occasions that all charges against the medical professionals should have been dropped. Given the great concerns and doubts that surrounded the case of the medics from the start, and particularly in light of the well-documented reports of ill-treatment to which many of those originally detained...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Human Rights Issues (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The RCSI is an independent organisation and an internationally renowned medical school attracting international students from more than 60 countries. It has a student population of 4,000 people and employs more than 850 people globally, 80% of whom are graduates. I am responsible to the House for the response of the Irish Government to the situation in Bahrain. My concerns, the concerns of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I do not propose to talk about her medical condition or her medical records because it is not appropriate to do so in a public forum. As I said, I am concerned about this case and I raised it repeatedly with the former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. When I met the new Secretary of State, I took the first opportunity I had to discuss this case with her. I am due to meet her again...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy said, the former Secretary of State revoked the licence in this case. I understand legal submissions were made recently in connection with that and a process is under way. Separately, a charge is before the courts, although that does not appear to be the principal reason she continues to be detained. That has more to do with the revocation of the licence. I have discussed a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Peace Process (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government has consistently stated that Israeli settlements in the occupied territories are illegal under international law and are an obstacle to peace. The relentless construction of settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is undermining the viability of a future Palestinian state. This is unambiguous EU policy and a clear message that Ireland and our EU partners relay...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Peace Process (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I can confirm that the Council, which met in Luxembourg on Monday last, discussed the situation in the Middle East and the fact that no progress has been made in talks about a settlement. The Council adopted a strong statement on the Middle East and Palestine at the May meeting and focused particularly on the settlement activity, which is continuing and which is making a two-state solution...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Anti-Social Driving Practices (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The North-South Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat has consulted with a number of Departments and agencies which felt that they could not assist further as regards anti-social driving practices on the N54-A3 road. This is essentially a policing issue and the NSMC does not have any role in the matter nor any authority to progress it further. However, I appreciate the seriousness of this...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Anti-Social Driving Practices (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As Deputy Smith said, I acknowledge that this is a serious issue. We are talking about a stretch of road that crosses the Border on a number of occasions. It is being used for speed racing, joyriding and activity of that kind which is clearly hugely dangerous. There is a difficulty enforcing the law because the road straddles the two jurisdictions. It is not the function of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Anti-Social Driving Practices (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I acknowledge the problem and I assure Deputy Smith that I will do everything I can, working with colleagues and in communication with our counterparts in Northern Ireland, to have it addressed. It clearly has to be addressed on a cross-Border basis because it is a cross-Border problem. It is not a function of the North-South Ministerial Council and Deputy Smith will appreciate my reasons...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Anti-Social Driving Practices (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I am happy to answer it.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The individual referred to has been detained since 13 May 2011, following the revocation of her life licence by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. In the 17 months she has been in custody, she has been held both in the secure all male prison in Maghaberry and more recently in Hydebank Prison, which is a mixed prison. The person concerned is currently receiving treatment in a...