Results 6,421-6,440 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Foreign Conflicts (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: We have to seek a resolution of the conflict and the difficulties involved. Some progress has been made through the Quartet's statement. I have made the Government's position clear on the issues of Palestinian statehood and membership of the United Nations. We have to work constructively in order to find a solution. That is the approach I intend to take. I do not intend to mince my words...

Diplomatic Representation (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Vacancies at ambassadorial level occurred at the embassies in the Holy See on 11 June, in Brussels on 31 August and in Canberra and Stockholm on 22 and 30 September, respectively. As the Deputy will be aware, last week the Government decided to close the Irish Embassy to the Holy See. It also made arrangements to fill the other above-mentioned vacancies and others that will occur in the...

Foreign Conflicts (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: While there have been some improvements in living conditions in the north and east of Sri Lanka, areas formerly held by the LTTE, there are still many matters of concern. The north and east remains heavily militarised. The Sri Lankan army is closely involved in daily life, with the local population under surveillance by soldiers and military intelligence. I am concerned at reports of...

Foreign Conflicts (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: First, Ireland has played an active part in the European Union and particularly in the decision in 2010 to suspend duty free access for Sri Lankan exports under the generalised system of preferences after the Sri Lankan Government failed to deliver a written undertaking on human rights conventions dealing with torture, children's rights and political rights. Second, Ireland is active at the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I share the Deputy's concern at reports of human rights related deaths in northern Honduras. We have worked closely with our European partners to ensure that our concerns relating to human rights abuses are conveyed to President Porfirio Lobo and his Government. Honduras was reviewed under the UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism in November 2010. At the UPR,...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland's overseas development programme, managed by my Department, has an enviable international reputation and is rightly recognised as one of the best in the world. The programme's primary objective is the fight against extreme poverty and hunger. It is concentrated in some of the poorest countries of sub-Saharan Africa, has a rigorous focus on achieving results and provides strong...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 19 together. The decision to close the Irish Embassy in Iran was taken following a review of overseas missions carried out by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which gave particular attention to the economic return from bilateral missions. Trade volumes with Iran have fallen short of expectations with merchandise trade between the two...

Written Answers — Trade Missions: Trade Missions (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: A programme of Minister-led trade missions, organised in association with Enterprise Ireland to develop and expand Ireland's exports to existing and new markets abroad, is planned for next year. The full range of destinations is still being finalised at this stage. Once this has been done, I will be discussing the allocation of leadership responsibility for individual missions with my...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The devastating earthquake which struck Haiti on 12 January 2010 killed more than 230,000 people and injured 300,000 others. The earthquake, which destroyed much of the capital city, Port-au-Prince, and surrounding areas, also left approximately 1.5 million people homeless and caused losses and damage estimated at approximately €5.9 billion. Over 550,000 people remain homeless, living in...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Ambassador's Residence in Ottawa was acquired by the State in 1960. Only modest investments were made in its upkeep over the years and it had long been in need of substantial refurbishment. In 2006, my Department was advised that total renovation was required to address a wide range of serious structural and maintenance issues. Some of these problems were aggravated by the long term...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 23 and 25 together. I fully respect the motives, intentions and objectives of those seeking to campaign against the Israeli blockade of Gaza, both through engaging in peaceful protest and through seeking to send humanitarian aid there. However, as I have stated in the House previously, I could not support a venture whereby citizens intended to place...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of the case of Mr. René Ganzález 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 Ganzález, who was accused of conspiracy to commit espionage, was released on probation on 7 October. The Irish Government has no standing in...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland has 58 Embassies, 7 multilateral missions and 11 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. Ireland's missions abroad perform a wide range of functions in pursuit of Ireland's foreign policy interests. These include representing and...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I share the Deputy's concerns about the plight of Cambodian migrant domestic workers. I understand from our Embassies in the region that discussions are going on at the highest political level between the two governments involved regarding this problem. I welcome this and hope that the discussions will bring an end to the exploitation of these migrant domestic workers. I note that...

Written Answers — State Visits: State Visits (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: There is no outstanding invitation to Pope Benedict XVI to visit Ireland, nor have the Government been made aware of any desire on the part of the Pope to visit Ireland in the coming twelve months. I am sure, however, that should the Government be made aware of the Pope's interest in coming to Ireland at any time, an official invitation would be forthcoming. As to the other matters raised...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 36 together. The Government welcomed the adoption by the United Nations Security Council of Resolution 1973 on 17 March which demanded the immediate establishment of a cease-fire, a complete end to violence and all attacks against, and abuse of, civilians and which decided to establish a no fly zone over Libya in order to help protect civilians. I have...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 31 together. The operating budgets for the Embassies in Iran and the Holy See for 2011 amount to €420,987 and €348, 049 respectively. These allocations cover items such as local staff salary costs, premises expenses, office machinery, official travel and post and telecommunications. By moving the Embassy to Italy into the building currently...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of this case. I set out the general principles relating to EU innovation funds in my reply to a Question on this issue from Deputy MacLochlainn on 18 October. As stated in that reply, I agree that EU research funding should be consistent with wider EU policies, and the EU has a clear position that the Israeli settlements on Palestinian territory are illegal, and are a barrier to...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I understand from reports that Gnanasundaram Kuhanathan, the editor of the Tamil language daily "Uthayan" newspaper in Sri Lanka, was attacked and brutally beaten in July of this year. I understand that no progress has been made to date on prosecuting the perpetrators of this attack. As the Deputy may be aware, Ireland does not have a resident mission in Sri Lanka. Our Embassy in New Delhi...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (10 Nov 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of recent reports, produced by international organisations such as Human Rights Watch, that allege mines in Zambia, in particular those operated by Chinese firms, are dangerously unsafe, with poor health and safety conditions in contravention of labour laws and regulations. China is a very significant investor in the Zambian economy particularly in the critically important mining...