Results 5,641-5,660 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Leaders' Questions (23 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I am answering Deputy McDonald's question. She stated that the troika looked for €2 billion and we settled for €3 billion. The troika looked for €5 billion because Fianna Fáil had agreed €5 billion. We have succeeded in two respects. There will be a target of €3 billion and €1 billion of that will be used for reinvestment in the economy to create jobs and get people back to...

Leaders' Questions (23 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: On the national children's hospital, I make it clear that the Government is determined to go ahead with the building of the national children's hospital. Obviously, we must consider the outcome of An Bord Pleanála's decision and we have provided the funding for it. It is not acceptable that anybody must wait for medical treatment or that anybody, in particular, cystic fibrosis patients,...

Leaders' Questions (23 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I understand the anger and frustration of family members who experience difficulty accessing the health service or the appropriate services in hospitals. Particularly, I understand the frustration and anger of parents who have children waiting for treatment. That is why the Government is determined to build the national children's hospital. When we looked at the capital budget for this year...

Order of Business (23 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: It is proposed to take No. a9, Finance Bill 2012 – Financial Resolutions; No. b9, Finance Bill 2012 – Allocation of Time Motion for Select sub-Committee; No. c9, motion re Presentation and Circulation of Revised Estimates 2012; No. d9, motion re Standing Orders 27A and 160; and No. 15, Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011 - Second Stage (Resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (22 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Fourth Review Conference of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) took place in Geneva from 14-25 November 2011. The main item for discussion was the draft of a possible Protocol VI to the Convention relating to cluster munitions. Ireland's position on a possible Protocol VI was clearly expressed at the Review Conference and at the meetings of the Group of Governmental...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (22 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As the issue of the Boston College oral archive is currently the subject of ongoing legal proceedings before the courts in the United States, it would be inappropriate for the Government to comment on this matter at present.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (22 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 to 64, inclusive, together. As stated in my reply to Question No. 138 on 21 February 2012, Human Rights are, and have always been, a priority of successive Irish Governments and a central part of our foreign policy. Ireland attaches considerable importance to the vital work of human rights defenders and condemns all acts or threats of violence against...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (22 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I have already made clear on a number of occasions, including in this House, my own deep concern and that of the Irish Government and people at the human rights situation in Bahrain. I therefore welcomed the publication of the report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry and the significant steps taken by the Bahraini authorities to implement the recommendations of the report,...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (22 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government recently made arrangements to appoint Mr Eamonn Mac Aodha, previously Chief Executive of the Irish Human Rights Commission on secondment from my Department, as Ireland's new Ambassador to Belgium and Mr James Carroll, formerly Irish Representative to the Palestinian Authority, as our new Ambassador to Sweden. Both Ambassadors have already taken took up duty at their new posts....

Written Answers — Nuclear Proliferation: Nuclear Proliferation (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 71 together. The latest report of the International Atomic Energy Agency on Iran, issued on 8 November, concluded that there are both strong grounds for serious concerns regarding possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear programme and that information available indicated that Iran had carried out activities relevant to the development of a nuclear...

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

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputy. Khadar Adnan is generally acknowledged to be a leader of Islamic Jihad. I have been very concerned that Mr. Adnan's hunger strike has now reached the point where his health is likely to be seriously endangered. My Department and the Embassy in Tel Aviv has been active in raising our concerns over this serious case with the Israeli...

Written Answers — Arms Trade: Arms Trade (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The recent elections in Egypt were free, fair and transparent. I regard the success of the elections as a clear sign that Egypt has embarked on the first steps of its democratic transition. However, I share the concerns of many in Egypt that the pace of the transition is too slow and urge the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to hand over power to civilian rule as soon as possible. I am...

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

Eamon Gilmore: Irish foreign policy is formulated in keeping with the national interest in keeping with this country's traditional values and role in the world. We seek also to act in concert with other states in order to achieve practical results. In particular, Ireland has committed itself, as a member of the European Union, to seek to coordinate where possible on foreign policy issues, so as to achieve...

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

Eamon Gilmore: I met with Colombian Vice-President Angelino Garzón during his visit to Dublin last month, on 24 January. As the Deputy will be aware, Mr Garzón has responsibility in the Colombian Government for taking forward the human rights agenda. We specifically discussed the progress being made under the Santos administration on the peace process, including the human rights conference which is due to...

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

Eamon Gilmore: As I have said recently, the Government has closely followed the reported violent events in areas of Tibetan population in Chinese provinces neighbouring Tibet and is concerned about the situation. Human rights issues were discussed during the recent visit of China's Vice President, Mr. Xi Jinping, to Ireland. The promotion of human rights is an important dimension of Irish foreign policy....

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

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland strongly supports the process of developing strict controls on arms and works actively to promote the objective of strengthening arms controls globally. My officials will participate in a UN Diplomatic Conference from 2-27 July, where I hope agreement can be reached on a global Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). Ireland has been active on work towards an ATT from the outset and during the...

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

Eamon Gilmore: I remain concerned about the threat to human rights and the overall political situation in Bahrain. More needs to be done to address the legitimate demands of those peacefully seeking reform and greater inter-communal dialogue in Bahrain. It is essential that a process of national reconciliation and dialogue involving the political opposition, civil society and the victims of human rights...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I understand the Deputy's question refers to the consideration by the former Joint Committee on European Affairs (JCEA) of the situation in Gaza and whether it constituted a breach of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, in particular Article 2 concerning the parties' human rights obligations. The Government regards Association Agreements, such as that which exists with Israel, as a...

Written Answers — Nuclear Proliferation: Nuclear Proliferation (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland adheres to the One-China policy, recognising the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China. I have consulted with my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and have been advised that Ireland recognises the right of States to determine their own energy mix, including whether or not to develop nuclear...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (21 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Passports Act, 2008 provides, inter alia, that only Irish citizens are entitled to be issued with Irish passports. Each application received by the Passport Service must, therefore, demonstrate that person's entitlement to Irish citizenship before a passport can issue. The person in question was born in Co. Mayo on 1 June, 2009. Her entitlement to Irish citizenship is governed by the...