Results 4,241-4,260 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Oversight (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: In accordance with the objectives of the aid programme, this funding is provided to support the long term development work carried out by NGOs in developing countries as well as emergency humanitarian assistance and development education programmes. I am satisfied that all funding to NGOs is allocated and monitored on the basis of the highest oversight standards at all stages of the funding...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I had a brief meeting with the Albanian Foreign Minister Edmond Panariti on 27 September during the UN General Assembly in New York when he updated me on Albania’s reform efforts and on regional cooperation. I indicated, in response, that we look forward to working with him during our forthcoming EU Presidency. A more detailed discussion on the question of Albania’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Functions (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The promotion of Ireland’s economic and trading interests overseas has been and remains a strategic priority for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and its Embassy Network. Alongside its foreign policy, diplomatic and consular functions, the Embassy Network is a key platform for the promotion of Ireland’s trade, investment and tourism objectives. A significant part of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The welfare of the Irish abroad is a very important priority for the Government. There are particular concerns in the United States where addressing the position of the undocumented Irish and reforming our migration arrangements are priorities for the Government in its contacts with the US Administration and Congress. The Government’s keen interest in a resolution of the situation...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Nuclear Disarmament Initiative (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 56 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, Baroness 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: EU Enlargement (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The European Commission published its Annual Enlargement Strategy and Progress Reports on 10 October. On Serbia, while recognising progress, the Commission pointed to further work needed before it could recommend the opening of accession negotiations. In particular, Serbia needs to pay attention to the rule of law, notably the judiciary and the rights of vulnerable groups and Serbia needs to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 69 together. I was appalled to learn that a 14-year-old Pakistani schoolgirl, Malala Yousafzai, was attacked by extremists for advocating girls’ rights to education in Swat, Pakistan. Malala Yousafzai is an admirable young woman who received Pakistan’s first national peace award last year, and was also nominated for the International...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Summits (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Over the past six decades, the European Union has contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe. It has transformed a continent that for so long was torn apart by war and division, shattering the lives of millions. I am delighted that this contribution has been given the strongest possible recognition by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, who...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of the recent successful conclusion of the negotiations on the Framework Peace Agreement in Manila on 7 October between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Ireland's diplomatic relations with the Philippines are maintained by secondary accreditation via our Embassy in Singapore. I believe that the signature of this Framework Peace Agreement...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of the establishment of the National Patriotic Council (CPN) in Colombia and the Patriotic March which took place in April to mark its formation. The CPN movement is a grouping of civil society groups and activists, and describes its focus as being that of achieving peace and social transformation through democratic means. It is important to acknowledge that the overall trend in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Programme for Government contains a clear commitment to Ireland's aid programme, and to the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Product (GNP) for Official Development Assistance (ODA). As the Deputy will be aware, in my recent address at the United Nations General Assembly, I again confirmed the Government's commitment to the aid programme and to reaching the 0.7% UN target as...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Monthly profiles for expenditure and receipts are in place in my Department and performance against profile is reported regularly to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and published by the Department of Finance as part of the Monthly Exchequer Statement. In some areas, expenditure and receipts are evenly distributed throughout the year. In other areas there are considerable...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: During his visit to New York last month, my colleague, the Minister of State for Trade and Development, Mr. Joe Costello T.D, held discussions with the Executive Director of UNICEF, Mr Tony Lake. UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, is an important partner for Ireland both in development work and in responding to humanitarian crises. Minister Costello reiterated Ireland's continuing...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The EU has a clear and long-standing policy that the solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or Israeli-Arab conflict must be a two-state solution, involving a sovereign state of Palestine co-existing peacefully with Israel. Ireland has made a strong contribution from the outset to the development of this policy. It has now become broadly accepted by almost all parties as the goal...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 53 together. There can be no doubt that the Israeli military justice system is failing to provide adequate protections and safeguards for Palestinian children. The testimonies from Israeli soldiers contained in the Breaking the Silence report make for harrowing reading. The testimonies indicate a frequent use of violence that requires urgent...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: For 2012, the Government has allocated and estimated €639 million to Ireland's Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme. My Department will administer €514 million under Vote 27 – International Cooperation, while an estimated €125 million will be managed through other Government Departments and Ireland's share of the EU Development Cooperation Budget. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: On 1 January this year, Ireland assumed its year-long Chairmanship-in-Office of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Comprising 56 participating States from Europe, Central Asia and North America, the OSCE is the world's largest intergovernmental regional security organisation, dealing with a range of issues in the areas of democratisation, human rights, arms control and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The agreement reached by the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) during exploratory talks in Havana earlier this year to engage in official peace negotiations is a positive development that I warmly welcome. The opening this month of the peace talks in Oslo represents an important opportunity to bring an end to the long conflict that has caused much...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Good Friday Agreement recognises that it is for the people of the island of Ireland to bring about a united Ireland, or to maintain Northern Ireland’s status within the United Kingdom, subject to the agreement and consent of a majority of the people of Northern Ireland. The Good Friday Agreement also recognises the legitimacy of whatever choice is freely exercised by a majority of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (17 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government’s official programme of development assistance, Irish Aid, has as its overarching objectives poverty reduction and sustainable development. Africa remains the principal geographic focus for Irish Aid, containing as it does 34 of the world’s least developed countries. Seven of our nine priority countries are in Sub-Saharan Africa - Tanzania, Zambia, Lesotho,...