Results 6,441-6,460 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore
- Written Answers — Global Irish Forum: Global Irish Forum (10 Nov 2011)
Eamon Gilmore: The second Global Irish Economic Forum was held in Dublin Castle on the 7th and 8th of October. The primary purposes of the Forum were to engage fully with the Irish Diaspora in developing Ireland's global business and trade relations; to discuss face-to-face the Government's priorities for economic renewal with key members of the international business community; and to strengthen ties with...
- Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (10 Nov 2011)
Eamon Gilmore: As a small trading country increasing the volume of our exports is vital to ensure sustainable growth for our economy. Despite the difficult trading conditions Irish exports have proved resilient in recent years. The total value of merchandise exports in 2010 was â¬162.7 billion, the highest ever total, representing growth of 8% on the 2009 figure. Services exports have also seen growth...
- Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (10 Nov 2011)
Eamon Gilmore: Addressing the situation 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 Congress. The Taoiseach and I discussed these issues with President Obama when we met with him on 23 May in Dublin. Responding to our concerns, the President expressed his interest...
- Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (10 Nov 2011)
Eamon Gilmore: Ireland, together with our EU partners, is committed to enhancing stability in the Western Balkans region. The EU perspective for the countries in the region, agreed at the June 2003 Thessaloniki European Council, is essential in helping to build and maintain this stability. The EU will remain engaged in assisting the countries in the region to undertake the reforms necessary to move forward...
- Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (10 Nov 2011)
Eamon Gilmore: As I have previously stated in my reply to PQ27601/11 of 4 October, 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 greatly concerned about the targeting of the academic community and educators in Iran, amid a widespread and intentional...
- Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (10 Nov 2011)
Eamon Gilmore: Human Rights are, and have always been, a priority of successive Irish Governments and a central part of our foreign policy. Together with our EU partners, Ireland closely monitors the human rights situations in many countries throughout the world, on the basis of information obtained from a variety of sources, including both official channels and non-governmental/civil society...
- Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (10 Nov 2011)
Eamon Gilmore: Democratic transition in any country must first and foremost be led by the country itself if the budding democracy is to have deep and enduring roots. However, there are important practical and political ways in which the international community can assist. With this in mind, the international community has extended significant help â and will continue to do so â to Europe's neighbours...
- Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (10 Nov 2011)
Eamon Gilmore: As outlined in my statement on Thursday last, it was with the greatest regret and reluctance that a decision had to be made to close Ireland's Embassies to the Holy See and Iran and its representative office in Timor Leste. This decision is in line with the tough choices that the Government must make to address the current economic challenges that face the country. Our targets under the...
- Diplomatic Representation (10 Nov 2011)
Eamon Gilmore: As outlined in my statement on Thursday last, it was with the greatest regret and reluctance that a decision had to be made to close Ireland's embassies to the Holy See and Iran and its representative office in Timor Leste. This decision is in line with the tough choices that the Government must make to address the current economic challenges that face the country. Our targets under the...
- Diplomatic Representation (10 Nov 2011)
Eamon Gilmore: I accept everything the Deputy said with regard to the desirability of maintaining a resident embassy in each of the three states involved. However, the difficulty is that we are operating in circumstances where, in the first instance, we are obliged to reduce costs. In addition, as a result of the reduction in numbers across the public sector, the number of staff available to the...
- Diplomatic Representation (10 Nov 2011)
Eamon Gilmore: All of our missions abroad will remain under ongoing review. I am not offering any hope or prospect that the position can be changed, either in the short term or in the foreseeable future, because there are financial and staffing considerations which militate against such a change. We have a small diplomatic team and we must concentrate our efforts. Compared to other countries, we have a...
- Overseas Development Aid (10 Nov 2011)
Eamon Gilmore: The High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness, to be held in Busan at the end of this month, will be a milestone in the international effort to strengthen the quality of development assistance. The Government will be represented at this major international meeting by a delegation headed by the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan. The delegation will include the Chairman of the Oireachtas...
- Overseas Development Aid (10 Nov 2011)
Eamon Gilmore: The officials of my Department have been actively engaged in the preparations for the Busan meeting over the past 12 months. Final negotiations on the outcome document will take place in Busan. In the meantime, a number of high-level officials from partner countries, donors, emerging economies and civil society are working on the text of the outcome document. Within this group, we are...
- Overseas Development Aid (10 Nov 2011)
Eamon Gilmore: The Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, intends to take an active role at the meeting. I will ask her, but her attendance will depend on the schedule of meetings. As the Deputy knows, there are ministerial, governmental and parliamentary schedules at these types of event. Sometimes they overlap. I am sure the Minister of State will endeavour to liaise with Deputy Breen on what is...
- Diplomatic Representation (10 Nov 2011)
Eamon Gilmore: The "Promoting Ireland Abroad" conference in June enabled interaction with all of my Department's senior overseas representatives, Irish business leaders and heads of Irish economic agencies. The Taoiseach and I outlined the Government's approachto promoting Ireland as open for business and set out the role of the State's diplomatic networks in this regard. I set as a priority our...
- Diplomatic Representation (10 Nov 2011)
Eamon Gilmore: The beef is in the country's improved reputation. It is fair to point out that, when we took office in March, Ireland had suffered considerable damage to its international reputation and the weekly reports we got on what was being said about Ireland in the international press made for embarrassing reading. I am happy to say that this situation has been turned around. Our strategy is aimed...
- Diplomatic Representation (10 Nov 2011)
Eamon Gilmore: I am very clear about where the difficulties originated. At these sessions, I try to be as non-partisan as I can-----
- Diplomatic Representation (10 Nov 2011)
Eamon Gilmore: -----but the Deputy keeps tempting me.
- Tributes to President Mary McAleese (10 Nov 2011)
Eamon Gilmore: On behalf of the Labour Party, I am honoured to offer thanks and congratulations to President Mary McAleese as she completes her 14-year term of office today. During the recent presidential election, there was extensive discussion and debate about the office of President and the desirable attributes in one who holds that office. In fact, those are things that it is extremely difficult to...
- Leaders' Questions (10 Nov 2011)
Eamon Gilmore: Deputy Higgins is so preoccupied with using every opportunity and excuse to have a cut at the Government that he ignores the facts.