Results 721-740 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Diplomatic Representation (19 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland’s diplomatic and consular network is at the forefront of efforts to promote our political and economic interests and values and in providing important services for the people and business community. Ireland’s diplomatic network comprises 56 embassies, seven multilateral missions and ten consulates general and other offices. This network will be further expanded as the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Diplomatic Representation (19 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: We have a small footprint compared to other countries in respect of our representation abroad. I have expressed the wish to have it expanded, but because we have a small footprint, we have to change it on a continuing basis, as our needs and demands change. The Deputy asked why we could not wait until after the review of foreign policy had been completed. A number of reviews are under way....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Diplomatic Representation (19 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: This country has a strong record and reputation internationally for the promotion of human rights and we will maintain this. The promotion of human rights operates in tandem with our trade work. Trade agreements signed by the European Union have a human rights dimension; therefore, we give huge attention to the promotion of human rights in our work on the Human Rights Council. Iran, the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (19 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I take seriously the concerns which have been raised about the well-being of detained evacuees from Homs. The tragedy of Homs, which is just one of a number of areas under siege in Syria, and the deprivation inflicted on its remaining population represent without doubt a crime under international humanitarian law. Last week’s cynical and cowardly attack against the Homs humanitarian...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (19 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: There are a number of issues here. First, we have the Geneva II talks. I regret that the talks have not made real progress towards the ending of the conflict. Opposition representatives have made constructive efforts to set out realistic principles for a roadmap to end the conflict and preserve the Syrian state. From the statement issued by the Special Representative, Mr. Brahami, it is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (19 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy said, Ireland is taking some refugees. The issue of refugees is a matter for the Minister for Justice and Equality and I know he is keeping it under consideration. We need to recognise the scale of the problem here. Some 2 million people are in refugee camps in countries bordering Syria. It is on a scale at which the taking of refugees does not address the entire problem. We...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (19 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The 17th of May this year will mark the 40th anniversary of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. With 33 killed, that terrible day saw the highest number of casualties on any single day during the Troubles. A further 300 people were injured. Many families across this island suffered terrible losses during the Troubles, including the Dublin-Monaghan families. I think of them today and of their...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (19 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I fully support the resolution which was passed unanimously by this House. The Government will continue to pursue that motion with the British authorities, as it has done to date. I should also mention that the issue of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings also needs to be considered in the context of the discussion on how to deal in a comprehensive manner with the past, which was the subject of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (19 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: As I said earlier, I have read Anne Cadwallader's book. I have met with some of the families of those about whom the book is written and I intend to meet shortly with Anne Cadwallader and Margaret Urwin. I intend to continue to pursue the unanimous wish of this House for the provision of information with the British Government. I hope the arrangements that are now being discussed for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (19 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 30 and 41 together. This is an issue to which I accord very high priority. I am conscious of the difficulties experienced by Irish citizens who are undocumented in the United States, and I have met and spoken with many of them on my working visits there, and also with the various groups who lobby on their behalf. I have maintained contact, both...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cross-Border Co-operation (19 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 35 together. I continue to avail of all opportunities for discussions with members of the Northern Ireland Executive to advocate for expanded cross-border trade and all-island economic co-operation. These have included my recent meetings in Dublin and Belfast with the First Minister and deputy First Minister, one of which was the North South...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (19 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 31 together. I have consistently made very clear the Government’s strong criticism of, and opposition to, Israeli settlements and settlement expansion, which are illegal under international law and constitute an obstacle to peace. The Israeli Government, and Israeli public opinion, are in no doubt whatever about our views on this issue. I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (19 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 42 together. In a referendum held on 9 February, Swiss citizens voted by a very narrow margin to accept a proposal to introduce quotas and restrictions on migrants, the vast majority of whom are EU nationals. The limits will apply to all work and residency permits issued to foreign nationals, including cross-border commuters and asylum seekers. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (19 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I refer the Deputy to the answer I delivered earlier to Priority Question No 2. [8272/14.]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (19 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 19 and 33 together. We had an extensive and wide-ranging discussion on the situation in Ukraine at the Foreign Affairs Council on 10 February, with High Representative Ashton reporting to Ministers on her latest round of meetings with President Yanukovych and the opposition in Kiev. Following our discussion, the Council adopted comprehensive...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (19 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 61, 64 and 65 together. The second round of discussions in the Geneva II Conference began on 10 February. Regrettably, there has been little progress to date though both sides have stated their willingness to discuss the original terms of the Geneva communiqué and see how it may begin to be implemented. To this end, the Syrian opposition led by the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Equality Issues (19 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 40 and 46 together. The New York City St. Patrick’s Day parade is organised by the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee Incorporated, a private, not for profit organization. Since the early 1990s, the Parade Committee has clearly asserted its view that the Irish, and Irish-American, LGBT community are welcome to continue participating in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (19 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The European Union has made clear its unequivocal support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU perspective as a sovereign and united country enjoying full territorial integrity. The EU has set out what is required in order for the country to take the next steps to advance on its path towards EU membership. The Minister for European Affairs, Pascal Donohoe, visited Bosnia and Herzegovina...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (19 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 57 and 58 together. Together with my EU colleagues, I follow very closely the situation in the Western Balkans on an on-going basis. As well as our on-going support for their efforts to align with the acquis communautaire in preparation for EU membership, we monitor the social and economic situation in the region with particular attention. As the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (19 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 36 together. The Government is committed to achieving the maximum benefit from the resources we commit to our international engagement and to ensuring that Ireland maintains a position of influence and respect in the global community. With a view to ensuring that we have the right mix of policies and instruments to promote our values and interests...