Results 6,401-6,420 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Middle East Issues: Middle East Issues (15 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 83 together. I have consistently stated my condemnation of and opposition to the overall blockade on Gaza, as it is implemented in practice by Israel. The essential feature of this is the restrictions imposed on the land crossings from Israel into Gaza. The naval blockade is of far less significance, as Gaza has never been and is not equipped to be a...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (15 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: When the recent decisions regarding Mission closures are taken into account, Ireland will have 56 Embassies, 7 multilateral missions and 10 Consulates General and other offices overseas. In addition to their country of primary accreditation, many Ambassadors are also accredited to additional countries on a non-resident basis. The overall operating costs in 2010 for all Missions abroad came...

Written Answers — Croke Park Agreement: Croke Park Agreement (15 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: There are no State agencies operating under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (15 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Passport Service technology system does not record "address" information in the structured format necessary to facilitate the production of management information in relation to place of residency, place of birth etc. The availability of this information would require a fundamental redesign of the system, which could not be cost justified for this facility alone. This matter will be...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (15 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland will meet its greenhouse gas target for the purposes of the Kyoto Protocol in the commitment period 2008-2012. Further targets for the 2013-2020 period, which are binding under EU law, will be challenging and it is in light of this challenge, inter alia, that the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government is asking the secretariat to the National Economic and Social...

Written Answers — Trade Missions: Trade Missions (15 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government attaches great importance to widening and deepening bilateral relations with China. China is a key high-growth and high-potential priority market under the Government's Strategy and Action Plan for Irish Trade, Tourism and Investment to 2015. Total trade between Ireland and China was worth €7.6 billion in 2010 and over 130 Irish companies now have a business presence on the...

Written Answers — Trade Relations: Trade Relations (15 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Trade data is compiled on the basis of product description categories rather than individual items. The top 20 categories of merchandise exports to Israel are outlined in the table below, which has been provided by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Top 20 Merchandise Exports to Israel for 2010 Product €,000 Computers, Computer Parts & Storage Devices 57,761...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (15 Nov 2011)

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

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (15 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The following are details of the appointments made by me since I took up duty as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs on 9 March 2011. The salaries attaching to the first two listed posts are commensurate with the responsibilities the post holders carry in the Office of the Tánaiste. The remaining salaries are within the guidelines relating to Ministerial appointees. Post Salary...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (15 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Department assesses passport applications of this type in accordance with guidelines provided by the Department of Justice and Equality, which is responsible for matters of citizenship and immigration. I indicated in my reply to the Deputy, on 02 November, that officials in the Passport Service were discussing legal advice obtained in this area with officials in the Department of Justice...

Written Answers — Capital Projects: Capital Projects (15 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The 2005 Department of Finance guidelines on Capital Appraisal define minor projects as those with a value under €500,000. Accordingly, details of the three contracts awarded by my Department whose value exceeds that threshold during the period in question are provided in the table. All three projects were carried out by companies registered outside the State and there were no such...

Diplomatic Representation (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Let us be clear about where the problems originated. In fairness, Deputy Ó Fearghaíl acknowledges that the work done since the change of Government has been proactive and that we have consciously set out to rebuild the country's reputation at official level with other governments. For example, our work in talking with media and business leaders has achieved a great deal. Compare the...

Middle East Peace Process (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland has supported the achievement of an independent Palestinian state for 30 years. I have made clear my strong view that I would wish to see this achieved very soon, and that the indefinite continuation of the occupation is quite unacceptable. It is incumbent on all parties, including Israel, to seek actively to bring the occupation to an end through the negotiation of a two-state...

Middle East Peace Process (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I thank Deputy Halligan for his comments. The Taoiseach and I have already discussed the Palestinian issue and the Middle East peace process with President Obama. We discussed it with him when he was here in May. In EU-US bilateral discussions I have also discussed the issue with the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. In addition, I have also spoken directly with the Israeli and...

Middle East Peace Process (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: See how fair I am. I am deeply disappointed about what happened this afternoon and we have made very strong protests to the Israeli authorities.

Middle East Peace Process (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I understand that the issue this morning had to do with the airlines. Because they were presented as deportees the airlines were not willing to take more than two at a time. We felt we had that issue resolved by this afternoon and that all seven would be on board a flight. I understand that what happened this afternoon was that two of the seven were detained because of security clearance...

State Visits (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I hope to visit China on an official visit at a mutually convenient date in the coming months. The Government attaches great importance to widening and deepening bilateral relations with China, including the political and economic relationships. China was at the heart of the Government's Asia strategy and remains a key high-growth and high-potential market for Ireland under the strategy and...

State Visits (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Human rights issues in China, including individual cases, are regularly discussed on a bilateral basis with the Chinese Government, both in Beijing and in Dublin. At such meetings the Government continues to stress the importance attached by Ireland to human rights, and fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, and to urge the Chinese authorities to ratify the international covenant on civil...

Foreign Conflicts (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of the report of DCI-Palestine, which documents the cases of 27 teenage children shot and injured while collecting building material near the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel between March 2010 and February this year. These children and a number of adults scavenge for building materials among the destroyed buildings close to the border fence. This is testament to...

Foreign Conflicts (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I thank the Deputy for his kind remarks about my departmental officials who have worked very hard in the past week. Each day they have visited the 14 people in detention and worked to have them released and returned to their families here as quickly as possible. I have been in daily contact with our officials both here and in Israel on the matter. I had hoped that seven of the 14 people...