Results 7,521-7,540 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Ambassadors Conference: Ambassadors Conference (22 Mar 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Meetings of Ambassadors are convened as necessary. It has not been the practice, however, to hold them annually. The last such meeting took place in September 2009. The Government attaches major priority in its Programme to ensuring that the resources of the diplomatic network are fully mobilised to aid the repair of our international reputation. Accordingly, it has decided to recall all...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (22 Mar 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: My travel schedule will be designed to ensure the effective and vigorous fulfilment of my responsibilities as Minister for Foreign Affairs, in particular active pursuit of Ireland's foreign policy objectives, working to rebuild our international reputation and promotion of our economic interests overseas. The majority of my travel arises directly from Ireland's active and committed membership...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (22 Mar 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 40 together. As the Deputy will be aware, in light of the current economic circumstances, the Government decided on 15 March to reduce the staffing levels in Ministers' private and constituency offices. The new limits for Ministerial Offices are as follows: Each Minister of the Government may have a maximum of 8 staff in his/her Private Office (down...

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (22 Mar 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy will be aware, the Taoiseach made an announcement on 10 March 2011 appointing two Ministers of State to my Department. Deputy Lucinda Creighton will have responsibility for European Affairs and Deputy Jan O'Sullivan will have responsibility for Development and Trade. The Minister for Finance, in consultation with the relevant Ministers, is to bring proposals to Government...

European Council Meeting: Statements (22 Mar 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Got it in one.

European Council Meeting: Statements (22 Mar 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I thank the Members who contributed to the debate, in the course of which there were many references, understandably, to the debates that took place during the general election campaign. Leaving aside the partisan comments we all tend to make about general elections and their outcomes, the overwhelming message from the general election was people's desire that the new Government would get to...

Overseas Development Aid (22 Mar 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: What kind of an Opposition are the Deputies at all? This would never have happened in my time.

Foreign Conflicts (22 Mar 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 42 together. The response of the international community to the Libyan crisis has been swift, vigorous and clear. The United Nations Security Council reacted with unprecedented swiftness in adopting Resolution 1970 on 26 February, which implemented an immediate arms embargo, asset freeze and travel ban against Gadaffi and members of his family and...

Foreign Conflicts (22 Mar 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: UN Resolution 1973 does not provide for the presence of any overseas troops in Libya. Were there to be such a mission, it is my understanding that a further resolution of the UN Security Council would be required.

Foreign Conflicts (22 Mar 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: We would need to adopt and express a view on the terms of such a resolution before its passing. We cannot be expected to adopt a position on a resolution that has not been tabled or passed. It is a matter we would consider at the time if it arose.

Foreign Conflicts (22 Mar 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I can only respond to what is fact. As a country, we support the efforts of those who have been seeking to establish democracy in Egypt, Tunisia and, more recently, Libya. It was hoped that the transition to democracy in Libya would proceed peacefully and that the regime would respond to the Libyan people's demands for change. However, that did not occur. The regime responded to its...

Passport Applications (22 Mar 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy is aware, the programme for Government included the commitment that consideration would be given to transferring the passport service from the Department of Foreign Affairs to the Department of Justice and Law Reform to operate as an independent executive agency under the aegis of that Department. Officials in my Department are currently examining the issues associated with...

Passport Applications (22 Mar 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I should have said nothing about supplementary questions earlier. I was tempting fate. There were approximately ten supplementary questions.

Passport Applications (22 Mar 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I do not have the information regarding processing times but I will forward it to the Deputy. He raised a number of issues relating to security and the use of fake passports. That is precisely the rationale for the proposed transfer from my Department to the Department of Justice and Law Reform.

Passport Applications (22 Mar 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Issues relating to citizenship are currently dealt with by the Department of Justice and Law Reform. The issuance of passports is different now from 30 or 40 years ago when it was taken as a matter of course that this would be done by the Department of Foreign Affairs. In many jurisdictions, the issuing of passports is closely aligned with immigration functions and the issuing of...

Middle East Peace Process (22 Mar 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: A number of countries, principally in Latin America, including Brazil, Argentina and Chile, have recently decided to recognise a Palestinian state. This is in addition to those states, mostly in Africa or the Islamic world, which have recognised Palestine for many years. Over 30 years ago Ireland, in a speech by my predecessor, the late Brian Lenihan, was the first EU member state to...

Middle East Peace Process (22 Mar 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: I hope to be able to extend recognition to a Palestinian state during my time in office. It is also clearly the case that the actions of the state of Israel, particularly as they affect Gaza and the settlements, are in breach of international law and involve injustice and humiliation for Palestinians. They constitute an obstacle to the achievement of a comprehensive peace settlement in the...

Middle East Peace Process (22 Mar 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The two-year Palestinian Authority plan to prepare for statehood is due to be completed in the autumn. The response of the European Union to such a declaration of statehood will be a key issue in discussions among EU foreign Ministers. I will be participating fully in those discussions and I am conscious of the necessity to contribute positively to them rather than to anticipate their...

Middle East Peace Process (22 Mar 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: The Deputy need not have any doubts in that regard.

Foreign Conflicts (22 Mar 2011)

Eamon Gilmore: Popular unrest and demonstrations have in a very short time resounded across much of the Arab world. Entrenched authoritarian regimes have been confronted by demands of largely unorganised citizens for change. In a region dominated since independence by the same leaders or elites this has been justifiably titled the Arab spring. The common overwhelming demand has been for change and a more...