Results 5,421-5,440 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representations: Diplomatic Representations (21 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42, 55 and 59 together. The person referred to by the Deputy was arrested and detained by the United Arab Emirates authorities on 28/02/12. Consular assistance has been provided by my Department, through our Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consular Assistance Section in Dublin. Our Embassy is in direct contact with the Irish citizen and a Consular Officer...

Written Answers — Illegal Israeli Imports: Illegal Israeli Imports (21 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Products from Israeli settlements are not in themselves illegal. However, they are not covered by the preferential tariff rates which apply to the import into the EU of products from Israel. As with any arrangement providing for free trade or preferential access to the EU, the possibility exists that the origin of products may be misrepresented with a view to benefitting from these measures....

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (21 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Since addressing this issue in response to a parliamentary question on 25 January there have been encouraging developments in Bosnia-Herzegovina moving it closer to a demonstrable realisation of its European perspective. Firstly, following the formation of the State-level government on 10 February, Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Vjekoslav Bevanda, has publically stated his intention...

Written Answers — Nuclear Disarmament Initiative: Nuclear Disarmament Initiative (21 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Israel has never officially declared itself to possess nuclear weapons. It is one of just three states not party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which is acknowledged as a cornerstone of the international non-proliferation regime and the essential foundation for the pursuit of nuclear disarmament. Ireland has a long and very close association with the NPT and, in national and EU...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (21 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 56 together. I am greatly concerned that Joseph Kony remains at large in Central Africa and has not been held to account for the atrocities which he and his so-called "Lord's Resistance Army" (LRA) are reported to have committed over two decades in Northern Uganda and the wider region. Recent publicity has raised international public awareness of the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (21 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government is giving consideration to all of the elements necessary to advance preparations for the referendum on the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union. The process of preparing an Amendment of the Constitution Bill has already begun. We will aim to publish it as soon as possible, once we have given careful consideration to its contents,...

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (21 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: (Minister of State Mr. Joe Costello T.D.) The European Union - Commission and Member States collectively – is the most significant international aid donor, providing over 55% of all Official Development Assistance to poor countries. The Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI) is one of three major funding instruments for EU development cooperation programmes, along with the European...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (21 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I have made clear in answer to previous questions my deep concern about the residents of Camp Ashraf in Iraq, in light of the serious violence which took place in the camp in April 2011 and the Iraqi Government's clear insistence that it wishes the camp to be closed. Ireland and its EU partners fully support the process now underway and led by the UN to manage the closure of the camp. I...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (21 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I am extremely concerned about the case of Pastor Nadarkhani, a thirty-four year old father of two who faces the death penalty for the charge of apostasy if he does not renounce his Christian faith. This comes amid repressive actions against followers of diverse faiths in Iran, including Sufis and Baha'is. I am particularly disturbed by reports that an execution order has been issued for...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (21 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of the case of Mr. René González Sehwerert, who was one of five Cuban nationals known as the "Miami Five", who were convicted on charges ranging from espionage to first degree murder in 2001 in the United States. I am also aware that Mr. González, who was accused of conspiracy to commit espionage, was released on probation on 7 October 2011. The government of Ireland has no...

Written Answers — Irish Communities Abroad: Irish Communities Abroad (21 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy will be aware, my Department offered all possible assistance in this case, through our Embassy in Paris and the Consular Assistance section in Dublin, during this person's detention in France. I am informed that our Embassy in Paris contacted the investigating Magistrate's Office in January 2012. The Magistrate's Office confirmed that the file of the person referred to remains...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (21 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: There are no State agencies or bodies operating under the aegis of my Department. Three advisory committees - the Development Education Advisory Committee, the Irish Aid Expert Advisory Group and the Emigrant Services Advisory Committee (previously known as the Díon Committee) - operate under the auspices of my Department, as do the board of the Ireland–United States Commission for...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (21 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The table that follows this reply provides details of the mileage claimed by each Minister of State at my Department between 2005 and 2010. Official cars are not provided to Ministers of State. The figures reflect the motor travel allowances claimed for official travel undertaken, subject to the guidelines set out by the Department of Finance. 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Mileage...

Written Answers — Visa Agreements: Visa Agreements (21 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Enabling Irish people to apply for E-3 temporary US work visas has been a particular focus of the Government's efforts in the context of our overall ongoing exchanges with the US Administration and Congress on immigration-related issues. The Deputy can be assured that my Department, including the Embassy in Washington, is extremely proactive in pursuit of this goal. The Taoiseach and I...

Leaders' Questions (21 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The report issued yesterday was produced by the Vatican following the visitations with the Irish church and seminaries. It is, essentially, a report by the church authorities on the church itself. Therefore, it is not really a matter for the Government to have a view on it in so far as the report is about internal church matters. I should be clear that the sexual abuse of children - the...

Leaders' Questions (21 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Deputy McGrath has asked a series of questions on how the Government is dealing with the protection of children and services for them. This Government established a new Department of Children and Youth Affairs and appointed a Cabinet Minister to oversee the issue of protecting children and the delivery of services to children and youths. The Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, has announced...

Order of Business (21 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: It is proposed to take No. 1, Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad] - Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that Private Members' business, which shall be No. 42 – motion re: European Stability Mechanism, shall also take place immediately after the Order of Business tomorrow and shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a...

Order of Business (21 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Deputy Martin has raised many issues. My comments on the possibility of emigrants having the right to vote in presidential elections were made in the context of that matter being considered by the constitutional convention. I am a little surprised that Deputy Martin seems to be so confused about the Government's intentions in respect of the constitutional convention as I understand the...

Order of Business (21 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: That explains the position. If the Deputy had been at the meeting, the Taoiseach would have explained to him that it is intended to establish the constitutional convention and give it two issues to examine immediately. In other words, the intention is to get the convention up and running, operational and so on and it will then address the other issues that will be referred to it.

Order of Business (21 Mar 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: No, not in the first 12 months.