Results 5,981-6,000 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (17 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: There is no serious proposal at UN or EU level for a no-fly zone over Syria at present and it is very unlikely that one will emerge given that there is considerable resistance, not least within the ranks of the Syrian opposition and within the region, to any idea of outside intervention in Syria. Any no-fly zone in any case could only be authorised or properly mandated through a UN Security...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (17 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The December General Affairs Council and the European Council considered the recommendations contained in the European Commission's Enlargement Strategy 2012 and Progress Reports, and adopted Conclusions on same. The Councils' saw important progress made on the EU enlargement portfolio. The Conclusions adopted highlighted, in particular, the transformative power of enlargement which helps...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (17 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The UN and the EU maintain a number of Missions whose mandates include the monitoring of the situation in the Western Balkans. In Kosovo, these include UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), the EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX Kosovo), and the UN mandated NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR). Eight members of An Garda Síochána serve with EULEX Kosovo, while the Department of Foreign...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (17 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government remains closely engaged at both European Union and international level in monitoring the situation in Burma and in supporting the Burmese people in their struggle for democracy and human rights. The European Union has maintained sanctions against the Burmese regime since 2006. The decision to impose sanctions was made in response to reports of systematic and gross violations...

Written Answers — Export Markets: Export Markets (17 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As a small, open economy with relatively modest levels of domestic demand, Ireland is reliant on trade. Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy, the Government's Trade Strategy and Action Plan for the integrated promotion of overseas trade, tourism and investment, seeks to build on our strengths in existing markets and develop exports and tourism in emerging economies. The UK, USA and our...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (17 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: 2057I accord a high priority to the resolution of the conflict in the Middle East. I will continue to do all I can to support and encourage both Israelis and Palestinians to work actively to achieve this, and this will be a key feature of my intended visit to the region later this month. I will also continue to urge a stronger involvement by the EU, the Quartet and other parties. The...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (17 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: 1As 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. I am particularly disturbed by the increase in the number of executions in Iran last year. Hundreds of individuals were executed in 2011 after unfair trials,...

Official Engagements (17 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I will meet them in Belfast.

Official Engagements (17 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I assure Deputy Martin that I do not have any problem encouraging and instructing Ministers to engage fully with the Executive and Assembly and the different organisations and groups which may be relevant to their responsibilities in a cross-Border sense. The North-South Ministerial Council meeting held in Armagh had a genuinely good discussion of the economic challenges facing the North and...

Human Rights Issues (17 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I thank Deputy Mac Lochlainn for his kind remarks in respect of the action taken by the Government with regard to the situation in Bahrain. As I indicated in my reply, we will continue to monitor what is happening in Bahrain, particularly the retrial of the medics and the protests and abuses of human rights. It is important to acknowledge any indications of progress and of a response from...

Emigrant Support Programmes (17 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: The emigrant support programme, ESP, administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, provides funding to non-profit organisations and projects to support Irish emigrant communities overseas and to facilitate the development of more strategic links between Ireland and the global Irish. Between 2004 and 2011 over €93 million has been provided under the programme. The priority of...

Emigrant Support Programmes (17 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I thank Deputy Ó Fearghaíl for his response and for his question. The round of grant allocations for 2012 is about to be opened. Those who have benefited from allocations in the past and any new organisations that have emerged since then will be eligible to apply. Our objective is to maintain our commitment to the provision of frontline support services to Irish emigrants. As the Deputy...

Overseas Development Aid (17 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland's aid programme prioritises the fight against global poverty and hunger, especially in the poorest countries of sub-Saharan Africa. The programme is central to our foreign policy and enjoys very strong cross-party support. It reflects the true values of the Irish people and our long-term interests globally. It is recognised internationally as one of the best in the world - the OECD...

Overseas Development Aid (17 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an Teachta Ó Fearghaíl tar éis dó comhghairdeas a ghabháil liom i ndiaidh mo cheapacháin mar chathaoirleach ar an OSCE, agus freisin le mo chomhghleacaí, an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Costello. Deputy Ó Fearghaíl has acknowledged we are in difficult economic and fiscal circumstances. When these are taken into account, the adjustment made to...

Overseas Development Aid (17 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: We should never say that something is impossible. The 0.7% target was set as an objective internationally. It is important that we all remain focused on that objective and make it clear that it is our intention to reach it. There is no doubt that achieving that target by 2015, given our economic circumstances, will be challenging. The immediate objective is, as far as is practicable, to...

International Agreements (17 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: In December, it was agreed that, as part of our collective response to the current economic crisis in the euro area, we needed to further strengthen economic policy co-ordination and to construct a new "fiscal compact" to achieve this goal. Negotiations are ongoing on a draft treaty to give legal effect to this agreement. This work is being advanced outside the framework of the EU treaties...

International Agreements (17 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: As Deputy Mac Lochlainn stated, there are three elements to the economic crisis that we are facing, and all three of those elements are being addressed. On the banking dimension, as the Deputy will be aware, the ECB agreed prior to Christmas to make a very substantial amount of money available over a three-year period to the banking system throughout Europe. On the dimension of jobs and...

International Agreements (17 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: That is not the primary objective of the Government. The primary objective of the Government is to work with others in Europe to bring stability in the first instance to the euro and to the eurozone and to ensure that the European economy grows and second, in doing that, to do so in a way that secures the best possible deal and arrangement for the taxpayers and the public of this country....

Human Rights Issues (17 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I fully share in the widespread revulsion at the images to which the Deputy refers. International humanitarian law obliges parties to an armed conflict to treat the dead with respect and dignity. The footage appears to show disgraceful acts which are in clear violation of these obligations. The Deputy will be aware that the incident disclosed by the footage has been condemned in the...

Human Rights Issues (17 Jan 2012)

Eamon Gilmore: I take seriously the strong condemnation by the US Secretary of State, Ms Clinton, and the US Secretary of Defence, Mr. Panetta, of the behaviour we saw on our television screens. This State is in no way complicit in providing comfort for torture, rendition or other actions which breach the human rights of anybody, irrespective of whether they are in this country or elsewhere. If specific...