Results 7,121-7,140 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — EU Presidency: EU Presidency (15 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: There is no formal proposal active at this time to amend the Treaties in the area of leadership of the EU. I have however noted recent media reports of an idea put forward by Mr. Tony Blair that there should be a directly-elected President of the European Union. This is certainly an interesting contribution to debate on the EU's institutional framework and its evolution. Similar ideas...

Written Answers — Consular Services: Consular Services (15 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Deputy will be aware that this case was discussed in the House as a matter for adjournment on 11 May 2011, and on that occasion I took the opportunity to give details of the consular assistance which had been offered to the family of the Irish citizen by my Department up to that point. I also publicly extended my sincere condolences to the family involved and assured them of my personal...

Written Answers — Consular Services: Consular Services (15 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 91 together. I can confirm that the Embassy in Rome has been in contact with a number of Irish citizens that have experienced difficulties in relation to their purchases of property in Italy, including the case referred to in the Deputy's question. The Deputy will be aware that the role of the Department of Foreign Affairs concerning private property...

Written Answers — Food Safety: Food Safety (15 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The EU Council of Ministers, in various formations, has addressed the serious and unfolding issues related to the E. coli outbreak in Germany. On 31 May, the issue was discussed at an informal meeting of the Council of EU Agriculture Ministers in Hungary. On 6 June, the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs (EPSCO) Council was briefed by the European Commission on steps...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (15 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Addressing the situation of the undocumented Irish and reforming our migration arrangements with the United States are important priorities for the Government in its relationship with the US Administration and Congress. The Taoiseach and I discussed the question of Irish immigration with President Obama when we met with him on 23 May in Dublin. Responding to our concerns, the President...

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (15 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: As I have previously stated, the Emigrant Support Programme, administered by my Department, provides funding to non-profit organisations and projects to support Irish communities overseas and to facilitate the development of more strategic links between Ireland and the global Irish. The strong emphasis of the Programme is on supporting culturally sensitive, frontline welfare services, which...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (15 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The following staffing costs are borne by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for my constituency office: Grade/Position Salary Scale Personal AssistantPersonal Appointment Personal Assistant Scale €43,715 - €56,060 per annum Personal SecretaryPersonal Appointment Personal Secretary Scale €23,820 - €47,755 per annum Clerical OfficerCivil Servant Clerical Officer PPC...

Written Answers — Official Travel: Official Travel (15 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Department operates the "Travel Pass" (also known as the "TaxSaver Commuter Ticket") Scheme put in place by the Finance Act 1999 as an incentive to encourage the use of public transport by staff travelling to and from work. This scheme allows an employer to incur the expense of providing an employee with a monthly or annual bus/rail pass, without the employee being liable for...

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

Eamon Gilmore: I very much regret the difficulties described by the person concerned in pursuing a passport application on behalf of her husband. If the person concerned would be prepared to forward details of the application, such as reference number and name and date of birth of the applicant, I will have the matter investigated and provide a detailed response.

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (15 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The question of Ireland's possible accession to the Antarctic Treaty System is under consideration in those Government Departments which have responsibility for the areas covered by the Antarctic Treaties. A Government Decision of 9 June 2010 authorised the then Minister for Foreign Affairs and the other relevant Ministers to conduct preparatory work on this issue. A process of...

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

Eamon Gilmore: A passport application for the person in question was submitted in December, 2008. In accordance with the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008, this Department must be satisfied that an applicant is an Irish citizen before issuing him with a passport. As the applicant was born in the State in September 2008, his entitlement to Irish citizenship is governed by Section 6A of the Irish...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (15 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I am deeply concerned about the current situation in Syria, including the violent repression against large numbers of people in Syria who have been simply trying to exercise their right to freedom of expression, whether in the street or online. The deaths which according to estimates now number more than 1,200 and detentions, and the torture and intimidation of peaceful Syrian citizens, are...

Written Answers — Overseas Trade: Overseas Trade (9 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I and my colleagues in Government are firmly of the view that Ireland's economic recovery will be export led. In the Programme for Government, we committed to implementing a number of actions to achieve the maximum growth in exports, including the long-term development of new markets. One of the key actions in this regard is to progressively implement the recommendations in the Trading and...

Written Answers — Overseas Trade: Overseas Trade (9 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Trade and business events are included in my programme of meetings overseas wherever possible. In March I visited New York for St. Patrick's Day events before travelling on to Washington D.C. for a bilateral meeting with the United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. In New York I addressed the Ireland–US Council and met with U.S. based Irish business networks. I also attended a...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (9 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I am gravely concerned about the case of Mrs. Asia Bibi. In November 2010, Mrs. Bibi was sentenced to death by hanging in a Punjab court for blasphemy. I understand that this is the first time a woman has been sentenced to death in Pakistan under its blasphemy law. When reports of the case came to the attention of my Department, a senior official contacted the Embassy of Pakistan to...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (8 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy will be aware from my reply to Question No. 32 of 14 April 2011, I am deeply concerned at recent reports of the use of force against Camp Ashraf residents in Iraq and the resulting loss of life. Ireland and the EU are determined to seek a long-term and peaceful solution to the predicament of the residents of Camp Ashraf. The EU Foreign Affairs Council discussed the situation...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (7 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: It is the normal practice of the Passport Service to seek original copies of birth certificates as part of applicant's proof of identity and, in many cases, to demonstrate his/her entitlement to Irish citizenship. The Department is aware that some Irish citizens who were granted refugee status by the State may have difficulty in locating a record of their birth and thus providing these...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (7 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: In the case of the person in question, an application for a passport was made to the Passport Office in Balbriggan through the ordinary post passport service on 26 April, 2011. Applications made through this service do not have a guaranteed turnaround service, as is the case for the Passport Express service. I am pleased to confirm that a passport issued to the applicant on 1 June.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: In June 2010, the European Union Working Party on Human Rights (COHOM) adopted a 'Toolkit to Promote and Protect the Enjoyment of all Human Rights by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) People'. Ireland fully participated in the elaboration of this comprehensive toolkit which guides the work of all European Union (EU) diplomats, including Irish, in overseas missions. Ireland is a...

Written Answers — Trade Promotion: Trade Promotion (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government is focused on achieving maximum growth in exports, including through the development of new markets, and has committed to progressively implementing the recommendations in the Strategy and Action Plan for Irish Trade, Tourism and Investment to 2015. Ireland's network of Embassies and Consulates continues to work to restore Ireland's international reputation and support export...