Results 7,201-7,220 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Order of Business (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I presume Deputy Ellis is supportive of the Government's reform proposal and our intention to introduce legislation that would have political parties suffer a penalty if they do not, at the next general election, have a gender balance of 30% and 70%. In elections after seven years, the gender balance will be 40% and 60%. The issue of attaining a gender balance in this House is long overdue...

Order of Business (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: This House has addressed many difficult issues and will no doubt do so again in the foreseeable future. I have a suspicion that this one may be beyond even the all-party collective ingenuity of Members.

Order of Business (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: It is intended to introduce the Bill to regulate credit unions towards the end of the year.

Order of Business (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: It is awaiting Committee Stage and I understand that as soon as time is available, it will be taken.

Order of Business (2 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I expect that will be later in the year.

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (1 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 76 together. The report of the UN Fact Finding Mission into the Gaza conflict, or the Goldstone Report, was published in September 2009 and was widely welcomed as a serious and authoritative investigation of events during that conflict, and an attempt to bring greater accountability for this conflict. This view has been strongly supported by Ireland at...

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (1 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government has engaged with European matters actively since coming to office. This is in line with the Programme for Government commitment to restoring Ireland's standing as a respected and influential member of the European Union. It implies the need for a broad effort, across government and administration, of engagement with EU institutions and with EU partners bilaterally, as well as...

Written Answers — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (1 Jun 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The first meeting abroad which I attended since taking up the role of Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs was the informal Foreign Ministers' meeting in Gödöllo in Hungary on 11-12 March. The candidate countries attended for part of these discussions and the occasion was a welcome opportunity to meet a number from that group which comprises Turkey, Iceland, Croatia, Montenegro and...

Written Answers — Irish Communities Abroad: Irish Communities Abroad (31 May 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 87 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 23 May in...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (31 May 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The approval of the Minister for Finance for the following appointments has been requested by my Department: The approval of the Minister for Finance for the following appointments has been requested by my Department: Name Title Salary Scale Mark Garrett Special Advisor Details awaited from Department of Finance Jean O'Mahony Special Advisor Principal Officer Standard Scale €80,051-...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (31 May 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: A breakdown of passports issued and total passport income is appended for the years 2007 – 2010 and 2011 year to date. Demand for passport services is highly seasonal, with almost 50% of applications being received in the four months April – July each year. Incentives aimed at spreading demand more evenly throughout the year have proven unsuccessful and each year the Department employs...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (31 May 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 — EU Enlargement: EU Enlargement (31 May 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Our approach to EU enlargement is positive. Expanding the Union encourages a more prosperous and stable Europe and the process itself is equally beneficial to candidate countries in inspiring them to achieve economic and political reforms and to strengthen their democratic values. Respect for these norms as set out in the Treaties, the adoption of a European perspective which those values...

Written Answers — Consular Services: Consular Services (31 May 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy may be aware, our Embassy in New Delhi, which covers Sri Lanka, was notified in September 2007 that the person mentioned by him had been arrested on arrival at Colombo Airport, "under suspicion for involvement in terrorist activities" under order from the Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka. I am informed that to date the person concerned has not been formally charged and the Sri...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (31 May 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Passport Service provides a comprehensive range of options for citizens to apply for passports. In addition to the public counter service in Dublin and Cork applications may be made by express post through some 1,000 post offices across the country, including in over 60 in the Deputy's county of Mayo. Given the current financial pressures on my Department, I have no plans to open...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (31 May 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Passport Service database records and collates data on applicants by place of birth rather than place of residence. In many cases this information is incomplete or inaccurate e.g. applicants may specify place of birth as Ireland rather than their county of birth. It is therefore not possible to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (26 May 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I remain concerned about the political and human rights situation in Sri Lanka. Last year Ireland, along with the other Member States of the European Union, suspended the duty-free access which had been granted to Sri Lankan exports under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP plus). This was prompted by the refusal of the Sri Lankan authorities to deliver a written undertaking on three...

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (26 May 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: A number of countries, principally in Latin America and including Brazil, Argentina and Chile, have in recent months decided to recognise a Palestinian state. This is in addition to those states – mostly in Africa or in the Islamic world – which have recognised Palestine for many years. Over thirty years ago, Ireland, in a speech by my predecessor of the day, the late Brian Lenihan, was...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (26 May 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Passport Office provides a comprehensive range of options for citizens to apply for passports directly themselves. Applications may be made through the Passport Express Service through some 1,000 post offices across the country and some 70 post offices in Northern Ireland as well as through the ordinary post. The Passport Express Service ensures easy and local access to the passport...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (26 May 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together. 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. The Passport Express service is available for passport applications lodged in Ireland only. The Passport Service regrets the...