Results 5,741-5,760 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Leaders' Questions (16 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: He should not be surprised now if the consequence of his actions is that Dublin City Council and the other local authorities ended up privatising their services. In respect of this privatisation and the transfer of services to a private company, there have been big problems in the transition. I have already stated that 18,000 householders are experiencing difficulties with their waste...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (15 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The historic princely state of Jammu and Kashmir which was never part of British India was partitioned between India and Pakistan after both States became independent in 1947. China occupies two areas of the former State, one ceded by Pakistan, the other- Aksin Chin-taken from India before the 1962 Indo-China war. The political situation on the Indian side of the Line of Control (LOC), in...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (15 Feb 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 some 7,000 lives since last March. In my address to the Security Council in New York on 9 February, I described the current situation in Syria as completely intolerable and condemned the appalling...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (15 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The budget for each of the Missions in question for 2007 to 2011 is provided in the following table. These budgets comprise the locally-devolved administrative budget, including local staff salaries but not salaries of diplomatic staff, which are a charge on the Headquarters budget. Likewise, my Department's small capital budget is not allocated to missions on an ongoing basis but is...

Written Answers — Foreign Trade: Foreign Trade (15 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The total value of merchandise imports from Israel was €82.5m in 2009 and €71.2m in 2010. The total value of services imports from Israel was €72m in 2009 and €96m in 2010. Figures for the value of imports in 2011 are not yet available. A breakdown of statistics is not available in relation to imports from companies operating in the settlements.

Written Answers — EU Presidency: EU Presidency (15 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Preparations for Ireland's EU Presidency are under way in all Departments and significant progress has been made in setting out what our Presidency priorities will be. At a practical level, the Government has taken a number of decisions with a view to putting in place an efficient and cost-effective Presidency. The Presidency is an important opportunity for Ireland to rebuild its positive...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (15 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy will be aware, Government Departments do not directly pay for the legal services provided by the Office of the Attorney General and the Chief State Solicitor's Office or for advice from Counsel briefed by them. My Department has a Legal Division, staffed by qualified legal professionals who provide legal advice on a wide range of international legal issues. Having such...

Seanad: Undocumented Irish (15 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I am aware of his longstanding interest in this issue. Addressing the position of the undocumented Irish and reforming our migration arrangements with the United States remain important priorities for the Government in its relationship with the US Administration and US Congress. The Taoiseach and I discussed immigration issues with President...

Seanad: Undocumented Irish (15 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Schumer Bill and the Brown Bill both pitch the education requirement at the leaving certificate level or thereabouts. This is an election year in the United States. Like anywhere else, an election year presents the most difficult set of circumstances, politically, in which to make progress on an issue like this. The Government wants to make progress here. There are broadly similar...

Written Answers — EU Presidency: EU Presidency (14 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Work across all Government Departments is continuing to identify the priorities and objectives of the Irish Presidency of the Council of Ministers in 2013. These will be outlined in detail in the Irish Presidency programme that will be published in December 2012. As with all Presidencies, the Irish Presidency priorities will, to some extent, be influenced by the progress made by the Danish...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (14 Feb 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 some 7,000 lives since last March. In my address to the Security Council in New York on 9 February, I described the current situation in Syria as completely intolerable and condemned the appalling...

Written Answers — Dublin-Monaghan Bombings: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (14 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The question of obtaining access to information held by the British Government on the Dublin-Monaghan bombings has been pursued for many years by successive Governments and with the support of Members on all sides of the Oireachtas. There was a significant and lengthy inquiry by a Supreme Court Judge, Justice Barron, from 2000 to 2003. In addition a thorough examination by the Select...

Written Answers — Nuclear Proliferation: Nuclear Proliferation (14 Feb 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. In both national and EU statements, and through our participation in the New Agenda...

Written Answers — Nuclear Proliferation: Nuclear Proliferation (14 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The latest report of the International Atomic Energy Agency on Iran, issued on 8 November, concluded that there are strong grounds for serious concerns regarding possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear programme and concluded that information available indicated that Iran had carried out activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device. The report is based on...

Written Answers — Nuclear Proliferation: Nuclear Proliferation (14 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 118 together. It is the firm conviction of this Government, and its EU partners, that the grave and valid concerns about Iran's nuclear programme must be resolved through diplomatic negotiations alone and by no other means. The E3+3, comprising Germany, France and the UK together with the US, Russia and China, represents the international community in...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (14 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: There are no State agencies, and consequently no State boards, under the aegis of my Department

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (14 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As stated in my response to a similar question on 31 January, my Department is working with the Department of Justice and Equality and other relevant Government Departments with a view to implementing additional protections, including revised procedures related to entry requirements for private domestic workers in diplomatic households consistent with its obligations under the Vienna...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (14 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I understand that the prisoner in question has initiated legal proceedings which are currently before the courts. It would not be appropriate for me to comment any further at this stage other than to confirm that officials from my Department continue to monitor developments very closely.

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (14 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The bombing in Omagh in August 1998 was an atrocity which resulted in appalling loss of life and injury. The search for closure by those who have been affected by this atrocity has not been an easy or swift process. Criminal proceedings against those who undertook this terrible act have not resulted in a successful prosecution and I understand that an appeal is currently underway regarding...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (14 Feb 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As I outlined in my reply to question No. 47 of 25 January, enabling Irish people to apply for E-3 temporary U.S. work visas has been a particular focus of the Government's efforts in the context of our overall ongoing exchanges with the U.S. Administration and Congress on immigration-related issues. The Taoiseach and I discussed immigration issues with President Obama when we met with him...