Results 7,141-7,160 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: 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 are targeted at the most...

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

Eamon Gilmore: On 11 and 12 March I visited Budapest to attend an informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers. 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 Bank of...

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

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 23 and 33 together. I am very concerned about the reports of detention, torture, intimidation and trials of medical professionals in Bahrain, some of whom are Irish-trained, for simply meeting their professional and ethical obligation to attend to those seriously injured in the recent violent clampdown against peaceful protestors. I understand that 47...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I am considering the question of Ireland's ratification of the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Agreement and will discuss the matter with my Government colleagues in the normal manner before proceeding. As regards an invitation to Mr Brammertz to address members of the Dáil, such an invitation would be a matter for the House. The EU's Stabilisation and Association Process...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: While I have not had discussions regarding the Basque Country , I would of course be supportive of any development that could contribute to the permanent ending of violence by ETA and lead to peace in the Basque Country. I would be guided in the first instance in this by the assessment of the Spanish authorities. The Spanish Government continues to underline the necessity for ETA to abandon...

Written Answers — Irish Communities Abroad: Irish Communities Abroad (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 27, 31, 37 and 45 together. 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...

Written Answers — Military Neutrality: Military Neutrality (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: There has been no change in Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality, which has been pursued by successive Governments, and which is characterised by non-participation in military alliances. Ireland has made overflight and landing facilities at Shannon Airport available to the United States for well over 50 years. There is no incompatibility between these arrangements and our...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 35 together. Over thirty years ago, Ireland was the first EU Member State to declare that the resolution of the Palestinian issue must involve the establishment of a Palestinian state. That is now the policy of the EU and of the international community. I share the commitment of successive Irish Governments to this policy and will continue to work,...

Written Answers — Common Foreign and Security Policy: Common Foreign and Security Policy (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: At its meeting on 12 April 2011, the Foreign Affairs Council decided that "it shall, if requested by UN OCHA, conduct a CSDP operation "EUFOR Libya" to support humanitarian assistance in the region, in full respect of the principles governing humanitarian action, particularly impartiality and neutrality". The EU is currently undertaking the necessary planning to allow it to react quickly in...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland's Embassy to the United Arab Emirates opened in October 2009. The Embassy also has secondary accreditation to Qatar and Kuwait. One of the principal reasons for opening the Embassy was to support Irish businesses in the UAE and in the Gulf region more generally, and to facilitate trade and investment in both directions. Currently, there are more than 40 Irish companies with...

Written Answers — Foreign Policy: Foreign Policy (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I look forward to continuing the development of our bilateral relations with Cuba. A Political Declaration on the renewal of our bilateral cooperation was signed on 1 March 2010 and discussions are ongoing to give effect to that Declaration, including as appropriate through the conclusion of a bilateral cooperation agreement. A further round of political consultations at official level will...

Written Answers — Development of the European Union: Development of the European Union (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 48 together. The founders of the European Union of today set out to create a peaceful, prosperous and united Europe. The Union today remains, despite the challenges we face, both prosperous and peaceful and embraces twenty-seven Member States stretching from the Atlantic to the Black Sea. The development of the European Union has frequently been...

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

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland is committed to safeguarding the rights of all citizens across the European Union and deplores violence or the threat of violence against any groups or citizens. As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland actively supports the promotion and protection of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons. This has been particularly evidenced through our engagement with...

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

Eamon Gilmore: Since the first introduction of the anti-homosexuality legislation as a private member's bill in 2009, Ireland, together with its EU partners and civil society organisations in Uganda, has been very active in highlighting the human rights implications of the draft anti-homosexuality bill and expressing strong opposition to the adoption of this bill. Ireland has been particularly vocal in...

Written Answers — Global Economic Irish Forum: Global Economic Irish Forum (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: As leader of the Labour Party, I attended the 2009 Forum at Farmleigh and took part in a range of discussions with participants. The recommendations of the Forum contributed to the implementation of a series of significant initiatives across a range of areas, including: tourism; the promotion of Irish culture abroad; diaspora engagement; innovation; and business network development. The...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Colombia has witnessed the longest period of upheaval of any country in Latin America - over 50 years in all. Approximately 10% of the population has been internally displaced over the past number of years, a number second only to that of Sudan. The degree of lawlessness that arises from the absence of peace presents a major challenge to any government. The effects of terrorism and...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Due to a surge in demand, the turnaround time for Passport Express applications received through the Passport Express system is currently running between 11 and 13 working days. It normally takes 10 working days. During the peak summer period, application processing times for this service can lengthen and the processing period for ordinary post applications is currently six weeks or longer....

Written Answers — Diplomatic Relations: Diplomatic Relations (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government came into office with an explicit commitment to restore Ireland's standing as a respected and influential member of the European Union. There are three main components of our early efforts to establish lines of communication with partners and to re-engage constructively with the European agenda: members of the Government are availing of opportunities to meet their EU...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Enlargement continues to be an important aspect of the Union's external relations, which plays a role in promoting democracy, stability and prosperity in prospective candidate countries. There are currently three candidate countries negotiating accession to the EU: Croatia, Turkey and Iceland. There are two further countries which are officially candidates but have yet to open negotiations:...

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

Eamon Gilmore: Unfortunately, no part of the world is totally free from human rights abuses. Ireland, both bilaterally and in association with the European Union and other like-minded partners, makes frequent and numerous interventions with regard to human rights concerns in the countries which have the most serious human rights abuses. Human rights concerns remain central to our foreign policy. Together...