Results 6,961-6,980 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I have stated consistently my view that the slight relaxation in the blockade of Gaza, while welcome, has not gone nearly far enough or fast enough. I agree that the volume of construction materials being allowed into Gaza is entirely insufficient for the essential reconstruction needs of both people and infrastructure. While overall volumes transferred to Gaza have increased, they remain...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The recent transfer of certain trade promotion functions from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to my Department has given it responsibility for the management of the Export Trade Council which will subsume the work of the previous Foreign Trade Council. I will chair the new Council with support from the Minister of State for Trade and Development, Jan O'Sullivan TD. In line...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and should be respected by all governments. As the change sweeping across North Africa and the Middle East has shown, attempts to suppress this right can only damage the legitimacy of those who do so and are ultimately unlikely to be unsuccessful. In relation to the particular case cited by the Deputy, I am aware that Mr. Nasser Abul has...

Written Answers — Trade Relations: Trade Relations (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government attaches importance to developing our trade and bilateral links with India. The latest available data shows that total merchandise trade has continued to increase over the last three years. We will be building on the excellent relations that exist between our two countries to further enhance our trade, investment, education and tourism links. The Strategy and Action Plan...

Written Answers — Trade Promotion: Trade Promotion (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The promotion of Ireland's economic and trade interests has always been a core function of my Department and the Embassy network. This role has become even more crucial in the face of the economic and financial crisis and the need to drive an export-led recovery. It was given further impetus by the recent transfer to my Department of responsibility for trade promotion Our Embassies abroad...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The enlargement portfolio of the EU continues to be a dynamic aspect of the EU's external relations giving strong encouragement to political and economic reform in the enlargement countries and reinforcing peace, democracy and stability in Europe. Candidates have to meet well-established political and economic criteria and the terms of accession are set in a negotiation based on the body of...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The EU's response to the momentous events in North Africa and the Middle East has been directed towards encouraging transitions to democracy across the region. The conditions and circumstances of each country appropriately determine the response in each country but the guiding principle of encouraging and incentivising a transition to democracy and greater political and economic reforms has...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: As part of the diplomatic initiative, that I announced at the beginning of April, through which the Government has sought to restore Ireland's standing as a respected and influential member of the European Union and to ensure understanding of and support for Ireland's approach to our EU/IMF programme, I visited Paris on 24 – 26 May 2011. The centrepiece of my visit, apart from attendance...

Written Answers — State Visits: State Visits (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: As I am sure the Deputy can appreciate I am not in a position to answer his question with regard to the total costs to the State of the visits but I will answer with regard to costs accruing to my own Department. In this regard, I would refer the Deputy to my written replies to his questions of 16 June and 5 July on this matter. I am aware that the Deputy has put this question to the...

Written Answers — EU Summits: EU Summits (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The European Union Member States and institutions considered and debated extensively the framework for their cooperation in integration in the process that culminated in the Lisbon Treaty. That Treaty entered into force in late 2009, amending the original Treaties. In the Treaty on European Union the Member States recalled the historic importance of ending the division of the European...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government continues to avail of every suitable opportunity to build and assist confidence throughout the island of Ireland in the achievements of the peace process so far and to help ensure that further progress is achieved over the period ahead. Confidence in the relations that have developed between the traditions which share this island have improved greatly over the decades of the...

Written Answers — Official Travel: Official Travel (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The resolution of the Middle East Peace Process is a foreign policy priority for the Government. There are also many other political issues in the wider Middle East region, not least arising from the events of the Arab Spring, as well as important trade opportunities for Ireland. It is therefore certainly my intention to make a first visit to the Middle East as soon as I can. At this point,...

Written Answers — International Organisations: International Organisations (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland will chair the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) from January 2012 for one year. Comprising 56 participating States from Europe, Central Asia and North America, the OSCE deals with a range of issues in areas such as democratisation, human rights, arms control and conflict resolution. As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I will be the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I have already outlined my concerns about the ongoing detention and trial of forty eight medical personnel, a number of whom were trained by the RCSI and also worked in Ireland at one stage. I have called clearly for such personnel to be released, unless charged or unless the Bahraini authorities can present clear evidence that they may have committed serious criminal offences, and for...

Written Answers — Travel Documents: Travel Documents (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The legal situation of children born through surrogacy arrangements is a very complex area in Irish law. Whereas there is no specific legislation in Ireland relating to surrogacy, a range of Irish laws relating to the areas of citizenship, guardianship, consent for the child to travel and other parental rights must be comprehensively addressed by applicants before any travel document may...

Written Answers — Trade Promotion: Trade Promotion (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government is committed to implementing progressively the recommendations in the Strategy and Action Plan for Irish Trade, Tourism and Investment to 2015. Under this Strategy, in Latin America Brazil has been identified as a priority market country. The local market team set up under the Strategy and chaired by our Ambassador has developed a detailed market plan and is already active in...

Written Answers — Trade Promotion: Trade Promotion (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland's trade with our European partners is already significant; the EU and EFTA account for 62% of Irish merchandise exports and merchandise trade with these countries in 2010 amounted to over €85 billion. Membership of the EU has provided Irish companies with access to a single market of over half a billion people and enabled Irish companies both to grow in established markets and to...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland maintains diplomatic relations with 174 States through a network of 76 missions (58 Embassies, 7 multilateral missions, 8 Consulates General and 3 other offices) overseas. As well as their country of primary accreditation, many Ambassadors are also accredited to additional countries on a non-resident basis which further enhances the cost effectiveness of our external representation....

Written Answers — Trade Promotion: Trade Promotion (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland has very good trade relations with Russia. Bilateral trade is performing well, with two-way merchandise trade increasing by over 64% in 2010 to reach its highest ever level. Trade in goods and services in now worth over €1.6 billion per annum and there is good potential for this trade growth to continue. The Strategy and Action Plan for Irish Trade, Tourism and Investment to...

Written Answers — Irish Communities Abroad: Irish Communities Abroad (13 Jul 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government is strongly committed to further developing our relationship with the global Irish community. In addition to the continued support for Irish communities through the Emigrant Support Programme, I am also determined to harness the expertise and influence of leading Irish members of the international business, cultural and academic community. The second Global Irish Economic...