Results 7,321-7,340 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Certificates of Irish Heritage: Certificates of Irish Heritage (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Certificate of Irish Heritage is in the process of being established by my Department in direct response to a strong demand for such a scheme from those members of our Diaspora who are not entitled to Irish citizenship. I believe that the scheme will provide a practical demonstration of the inclusive approach adopted by successive Governments to our Diaspora. The Certificate of Irish...

Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The decision to re-introduce fees for citizens aged 65 or over was taken by the previous Government. The measure, which was announced in the Budget last December, took effect from 11 April 2011, which was the date set out in Statutory Instrument 47/2011 signed by the then Taoiseach and acting Minister for Foreign Affairs on 3 February 2011. Based on an estimated figure of 30,000...

Written Answers — Foreign Military Aircraft: Foreign Military Aircraft (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 38 together. The Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952 provides that no foreign military aircraft shall fly over or land in the State save on the express invitation or with the express permission of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Order specifies that foreign military aircraft includes "naval, military and air force aircraft, and...

Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question 7 today, which was as follows. Ireland's long-standing concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza is well known. As I stated in my reply to the Priority Question on Gaza, the slight relaxation of the terms of the blockade in the last year has been completely insufficient. Along with our EU Partners, we are continuing to press for a full...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Initiatives: Diplomatic Initiatives (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Following the visit to Cuba by my predecessor, Micheál Martin, T.D. in February 2009 and a reciprocal visit by the Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez Parilla to Dublin in May 2009, the two sides agreed to examine how the bilateral relationship between Ireland and Cuba might be taken forward. The levels of trade between Ireland and Cuba are low at present. However, in the course of...

Written Answers — Overseas Tourism: Overseas Tourism (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The statistics sought by the Deputy are not immediately available to my Department. I will make enquiries with the relevant authorities in Cuba through the Irish Embassy in Mexico which is accredited to Cuba. The Deputy will be notified as soon as the information is available.

Written Answers — Consular Services: Consular Services (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I assume that the Deputy's question relates to difficulties which Irish citizens have encountered in both a commercial and private capacity in relation to business and property in Portugal. Providing assistance to Irish business is a key part of the work of our Embassy network, in close co-operation with the relevant State Agencies. Embassies can support Irish companies in a number of ways,...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Details of the numbers of diplomatic staff, by grade, assigned to the Embassies in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Cairo are set out in the table. Foreign language proficiency is one of the attributes that are taken into consideration by my Department when selecting officers for posting abroad. Officers wishing to be considered for posting are required to submit up-to-date language skills audits...

Written Answers — Irish Communities Abroad: Irish Communities Abroad (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Department is aware of around 360 Irish citizens in Bahrain. The Department's travel advice for Bahrain strongly advises Irish citizens to register their details with the Irish Embassy in Riyadh, which is accredited to Bahrain. Registration is voluntary and citizens can register by completing a travel registration form on the Department's website www.dfa.ie. The information submitted...

Foreign Conflicts (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I have not yet made plans to visit Israel, Palestine or Gaza, but I intend to see the conditions there for myself in due course. Ireland has been active on this issue. I will continue to work to maintain a focus on it at EU level. There are three broad areas of concern with regard to Gaza, the first of which is the ongoing Israeli blockade. This has eased a little since last year, with...

Foreign Conflicts (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: As I stated, it is my intention to visit the region as soon as I can arrange a visit in my timetable to see the situation on the ground. The matter is very much a priority for the Government's approach to foreign affairs and foreign policy. I have made clear to my colleagues at the European Union Foreign Affairs Council that Ireland wishes this issue to be pursued more actively and wants...

Foreign Conflicts (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The State is absolutely opposed to Israel's use of aerial weapons in attacks on Gaza. These inevitably lead, as they have done, to uninvolved civilians being injured or killed. We have also been critical of Israel for not taking political initiatives to try to end the cycle of violence by reaching a comprehensive peace. We must recognise, however, that firing is taking place in both...

Humanitarian Aid (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland's long-standing concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza is well known. As I stated in my reply to the priority question on Gaza, the slight relaxation of the terms of the blockade in the last year has been completely insufficient. Along with our EU partners, we are continuing to press for a full opening up of the border crossings into Gaza to allow unimpeded flows of...

Humanitarian Aid (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: My Department has a responsibility to provide travel advice to Irish citizens irrespective of where they are travelling. If somebody wants to travel somewhere, the Department of Foreign Affairs provides a service whereby travel advice is provided as to whether it is safe to travel. I want to make it absolutely clear that the Department's travel advice in respect of the proposed flotilla to...

Humanitarian Aid (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: As I said in response to an earlier question, this issue is very much a priority for me and for the Government. I made clear at the European Union Foreign Affairs Council on 12 April that the Government and I want to see this issue addressed by the council. Our view is that the blockade should not exist, that the situation in Gaza is absolutely intolerable, and that there is a necessity to...

EU Accession (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Iceland applied for EU membership in 2009 and accession negotiations were formally opened in July 2010. In its most recent annual progress report on Iceland, published last November, the Commission stated that the overall level of Iceland's preparedness to meet EU legislative requirements is good. Through its existing membership of the European Economic Area and the Schengen Area Iceland is...

EU Accession (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The collapse of Iceland's private banking sector in October 2008 developed into a diplomatic dispute when the United Kingdom and the Netherlands insisted that Iceland guarantee bank deposits of their citizens held in the collapsed Icelandic bank Icesave. Both Governments provided loans to facilitate this guarantee and the dispute has since centred on the terms for repayment. The Icesave...

EU Accession (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland's situation is quite different from that of Iceland which concerns a bilateral dispute between Iceland and the United Kingdom and Netherlands regarding the loss of private depositor funds guaranteed under EFTA rules and whether Iceland should recover such losses. Iceland's referendum concerned this issue specifically and was not linked to the programme of support which the Icelandic...

Human Rights Issues (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Sanctions against Burma were renewed for a further 12 months at the April session of the Foreign Affairs Council. Ireland was to the fore in the preparation of this decision, arguing for the extension of restrictive measures by the European Union. In taking this decision, Ministers were very much aware of the views of Aung San Suu Kyi. By renewing sanctions, the European Union has...

Human Rights Issues (21 Apr 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: As part of the effort to engage constructively with the new Burmese Government, Ministers agreed to lift the prohibition on high-level visits to Burma. However, it was agreed that any such visits must be carefully co-ordinated in Brussels with defined terms of reference. Delegations visiting Burma must also be allowed to meet Burmese opposition and civil society leaders, including Aung Sang...