Results 5,261-5,280 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (29 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As I have previously stated, the human rights situation in Iran is profoundly disturbing, and the period since the Presidential election of 2009 has been characterised by an intensification of human rights abuses on many fronts. Although it is difficult to gain reliable statistics and information on human rights abuses in Iran, there are a number of reputable and thorough sources and reports...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: There are no state boards operating under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Missing Persons: Missing Persons (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The person referred to by the Deputy first came to the attention of my Department in November 2008. The family were concerned that there had been no contact from the individual and requested assistance in locating him. My Department has been providing consular assistance to the family since that time. Our Embassy in the The Hague, which has consular responsibility for Irish citizens in the...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: There are currently six Honorary Consuls of Ireland in Canada. They are located in Calgary, Montreal, Edmonton, Vancouver, St. John's Newfoundland and Winnipeg. My Department has no immediate plans at present to open an Honorary Consulate of Ireland in Nova Scotia. My Department regularly reviews the network of Honorary Consuls and, in the context of making new appointments, it takes into...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I can confirm that I have appointed an Honorary Consul of Ireland in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Consulate is due to open shortly and the contact details will be available on my Department's website www.dfa.ie., after it has opened.

Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The case in question relates to the entry of a non-national person from outside the EU into the jurisdiction of the State. As this matter relates to immigration policy, which is the responsibility of the Minister for Justice and Equality, details of this question have been brought to his attention.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 to 74, inclusive, together. The following three external property consultants/surveyors/estate agents were engaged by my Department in connection with projects in the State during the past three years: Joseph Curtis and Company was paid €3,025 in architectural fees in October 2010 in relation to the termination on 2 April 2010 of the lease on the...

Written Answers — EU Presidency: EU Presidency (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Preparations for Ireland's EU Presidency are underway in all Departments and significant progress has been made in setting out Presidency priorities for the first six months of 2013. The Presidency is an important opportunity for Ireland to rebuild its positive image as a credible, effective, and trustworthy international player. At a practical level, the Government has taken a number of...

Written Answers — Departmental Websites: Departmental Websites (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The EU Matters website was developed by the EU Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs to provide information about Ireland's membership of the European Union. With the transfer of the co-ordination of the European Union affairs from the Department of Foreign Affairs to the Department of the Taoiseach, we are reviewing how best we communicate the Government's approach to EU policy,...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I met with the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Charles J. Brown, when he presented his credentials to President Higgins on 16 February. I look forward to working closely with him, both in his role as Apostolic Nuncio and as Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.

Written Answers — North-South Implementation Bodies: North-South Implementation Bodies (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 83 together. At the meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in plenary format on 18 November 2011, Ministers agreed that a number of proposals to advance the first element of the St Andrews Agreement Review would be discussed at the next round of NSMC meetings in sectoral format with a view to decisions being taken at the next NSMC Plenary...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and other supplementary agreements is a high priority for the Government and is set out specifically in my Department's current Statement of Strategy. Great progress has been made on the full implementation of the Agreements but some important outstanding elements remain. In working towards full implementation, I engage regularly with the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I have on a number of occasions stated clearly my grave concerns at the deteriorating situation in Syria and condemned the unacceptable violence and repression which is now estimated to have claimed well over 8,000 lives since last March. I am particularly concerned about the urgent humanitarian needs of the civilian population in many areas of Syria. Ireland and its EU partners have reacted...

Written Answers — Constitutional Amendments: Constitutional Amendments (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81, 82 and 85 together. As the House will be aware, the Government decided yesterday that the date of the referendum will be 31 May 2012. The Bill allowing it to go ahead will be published later this week, for full and thorough debate in the Oireachtas over the next month. In choosing this date, we want to ensure an informed debate in which the people have...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy will be aware, over this St Patrick's Day period, the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and 16 Ministers travelled to 15 of Ireland's key trading partners to promote Irish business, tourism and culture overseas and to advise our international partners that 'now is the time to invest in Ireland's recovery'. St. Patrick's Day offers a unique opportunity to promote Ireland's image and...

Written Answers — Sale of State Assets: Sale of State Assets (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I have consulted with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine who has advised that the possible sale of Coillte assets was not discussed between Irish and Chinese Ministers during the visit to Ireland by H.E. Xi JinPing Vice President of the People's Republic of China.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: My Department has made no payments to the entity in question from 1 September 2008 to date.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: There are no agencies or state agency under the aegis of my Department. The Department itself does not rent property to any other party and, accordingly, does not hold any leases where it acts in the capacity of landlord.

Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: This is a slow, gradual process and there is no instant one-day solution to take us out of the economic difficulties. We have moved from being on the edge of the cliff to a situation where we have achieved a stabilisation of the financial situation in the country. We are making progress as regards the arrangements made for the bailout. Separate to that we have a problem with our deficit in...

Order of Business (28 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: It is proposed to take No. 14, statements on the Final Report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments (resumed). Private Members' business shall be Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland (Amendment) Bill 2011 - Second Stage (resumed), to conclude at 9 p.m., if not previously concluded.