Results 4,301-4,320 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Tribunals of Inquiry Reports (16 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I am not aware of any proceedings which have been initiated against me or my Department arising out of the findings of the Moriarty Tribunal.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2012
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: People see what is happening in refugee camps, be it in Syria or Sudan. I saw it myself during the summer when I went to Mogadishu. I was the first Irish Minister to go there for about 20 years. We see appalling conditions in refugee camps. One sees our financial commitment, the support we give to NGOs and how much it means. I saw children attending schools and the rubble of a devastated...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2012
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: We are determined to reach the commitment. The State's objective is to reach the 0.7% target and we are not demurring from that. We remain committed to it. As everybody knows, the question of when we reach that target is dependent on our economic recovery. We have maintained the figure above 0.5%, which is still in the top end of the league table of commitment internationally. There is...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2012
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I agree with Deputy Smith that the landscape in Ulster has changed dramatically since the settlement. However, we need to continue to work on it, which is why my Department continues its very vigilant engagement on Northern Ireland and the North-South relationship. That is why we had people on the ground during the parades and other events that took place during the summer. It is a...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2012
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: It is related to that. I was pleased to hear the UN High Commissioner for Refugees say, both in his meeting with me yesterday and again on radio this morning, that there is appreciation among the international community that despite our economic difficulties we are maintaining our faith. Deputy Crowe is correct. We do not want to be in a situation where we must cut back programmes which...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2012
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The issue of co-operation and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and throughout the island has been one of the main functions of my Department for some time and we work on it at a number of levels. There is North-South co-operation, the work of the North-South Ministerial Council and work I do in conjunction with both the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland at a...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2012
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I apologise to Deputy Mitchell for not answering her earlier question. It was a hard question and I ask her to give me a bit more time to think about it. The Department has made considerable savings over the last three years in respect of money and staff numbers. I pay tribute to the staff of the Department for meeting increased demands for services with fewer people and resources. We...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2012
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: It is important to explain what we are seeking to do in regard to trade. A number of Departments and agencies are involved in the trade function. These include the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, the IDA and Enterprise Ireland. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has responsibility for Bord Bia and food exports. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2012
Vote 27 - International Co-operation
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I join the Chairman in welcoming Deputies Brendan Smith and Seán Crowe as members of the select committee. I had an opportunity at a meeting of the Joint Committee on European Affairs Committee to have a discussion with Deputy Crowe in his new capacity and I look forward to working with both Deputies. Our exchanges this afternoon represents another step in the ongoing reform of the...

Order of Business (11 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: There is no specific Bill. What is required is enforcement of existing laws, which objective is being pursued vigorously.

Order of Business (11 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: That issue was addressed by the Minister for Finance in his Budget Statement. He has outlined the constitutional difficulties that arise in respect of such legislation.

Order of Business (11 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Alex White, is dealing with that Bill as a matter of urgency and I expect that we will make an announcement on it in the near future.

Order of Business (11 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: It is expected in the middle of next year.

Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The difference between me and Deputy Boyd Barrett is that when I am notified of a problem, I try to resolve it but when he is notified of a problem, he tries to exploit it for political advantage. It is rank political opportunism.

Order of Business (11 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: It is proposed to take No. b13, motion re ministerial rota for parliamentary questions; No.4, Fiscal Responsibility Bill 2012 - Second Stage (resumed); No.16, statements on philanthropy and the arts (resumed); and No. 17, statements on the framework for sustainable development in Ireland, to be taken not later than 1.30 p.m. today and the order shall not resume thereafter. It is proposed,...

Order of Business (11 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Concerning the issue of debates and statements in the House, last week the main Opposition party, through Deputy Micheál Martin, asked for a debate on the economy and that debate will take place the week after next. The issues that are down for debate today were agreed with the Whips. The transport (CIE borrowings) Bill is due this session and the national lottery (amendment) Bill is...

Order of Business (11 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Yes, it very much does and both the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Alex White, are progressing proposals in respect of the responsibilities of their Departments in this area. I expect the sale of alcohol Bill, to which the Deputy referred, to be published early in the new year.

Order of Business (11 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: We intend to publish that Bill in this session.

Order of Business (11 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The issue of local government reform is under consideration by the Government. I expect that a decision and an announcement on that will be made in the near future and then, obviously, the preparation of legislation to give effect to the reforms that the Government proposes will begin.

Order of Business (11 Oct 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport is preparing new road safety legislation and he has been in discussions with his Northern Ireland counterpart about the harmonisation of penalty points.