Results 761-780 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

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

Eamon Gilmore: A key aspect of Ireland’s foreign policy and external relations, and the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is the promotion and development of our trade, tourism and investment, in keeping with the Government’s Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy, Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy . The embassy network is strongly focussed on implementing this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Colombian Peace Process (19 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I strongly support the Colombian peace process and hope that the negotiations underway will bring an end to the long conflict there which has caused much suffering. During the course of 2013, negotiators reached agreement on the land reform and political participation elements of their agenda. Discussions are now focused on the theme of seeking a solution to the problem of illicit drugs....

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

Eamon Gilmore: The European Union continues to be actively engaged in facilitating the search for a peaceful and negotiated solution to the crisis in Ukraine. The Foreign Affairs Council has discussed the situation at each of its meetings since the crisis began in November. Council Conclusions have set out our expectations in the clearest terms including the absolute obligation of the authorities to...

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

Eamon Gilmore: I am on record expressing concern over the ongoing detention of the former Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yulia Tymoshenko and refer the Deputy to my statement to the Dáil of 2 October last. I have raised the matter in bilateral meetings with the then Prime Minister of Ukraine, Mykola Azarov and Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara. The judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on...

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

Eamon Gilmore: Enlargement remains very much to the forefront of EU policy. Progress is being made in bringing aspirant countries closer to EU membership, gradually aligning their national systems with the EU acquis communautaire. In terms of the candidate countries, following an agreement reached under the Irish Presidency, a new chapter in Turkey’s accession negotiations was formally opened last...

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

Eamon Gilmore: The US-sponsored peace talks began in late July 2013 with the objective of achieving a comprehensive agreement between Israel and Palestine. Talks have proceeded more or less continuously since then. Ireland and the EU have strongly supported this process, which possibly represents the last chance to achieve a negotiated two-state solution. EU High Representative Ashton has maintained...

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

Eamon Gilmore: I warmly welcomed the interim agreement, known as the “joint plan of action”, reached on 24 November between the E3+3 (Germany, France and the UK + the US, Russia and China, led by EU High Representative Ashton) and Iran. Given the almost complete lack of progress over almost a decade of negotiations, this was a significant and very welcome development. According to the...

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

Eamon Gilmore: Neither Ireland nor, as far as I am aware, the European Union or the United Nations maintains a list of locations in regard to the greatest human rights violations as requested by the Deputy. Human rights concerns are central to our foreign policy. Together with our EU partners, Ireland closely monitors the human rights situations in many countries throughout the world. We do this on the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Issues (18 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: My Department has consulted with the Civil Service Occupational Health Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on this case. The request is still under consideration by my Department. A decision will be made shortly which will be communicated directly to the officer.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Career Breaks (18 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: A total of 26 officers are currently availing of the Career break scheme in my Department. Details of these officers are set out in the following table: Number of staff Grade Duration of career-break 0 - 0- 6 months 0 - 6 – 12 months 7 1 Clerical Officer Executive Officer 1 – 2 years 3 2 Clerical Officer Staff Officer 2 – 3 years 9 1 1 Clerical...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Sick Leave (18 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Details of the sick leave recorded as taken by staff of my Department in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 are set out in the following table. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Year Uncertified sick leave days Average number of uncertified sick days per FTE * Certified Sick Days Average number of certified sick days per FTE * Total number of sick days Average number of sick days per FTE...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Commemorative Events (18 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The centenary of the outbreak of the First World War will be marked by events across Europe in August this year. At national level, events to mark the outbreak of the First World War will take place over several days. While detailed arrangements still to be settled, a Cross of Sacrifice monument at Glasnevin cemetery will be dedicated to the memory of the soldiers who died in the War....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Security Checks (18 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: It is not policy to comment on or provide details concerning security matters of this nature. My Department's security arrangements are kept under regular review, including security arrangements for premises and telecommunications.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Agencies (18 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: No agencies or organisations of the type envisaged in the Deputy's question have been established by my Department since March 2011.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (18 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: 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 directly and through our Embassy in Washington, with many key...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Communities Abroad (18 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Engagement with the Diaspora has long been a feature of my Department's work, promoting Ireland overseas and, very importantly, in the context of efforts, over many years, to bring a lasting peace to this island. The Irish Abroad Unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was established, in 2004, to meet the objectives set out in the Task Force Report: to 'protect and support' the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (18 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: At my invitation, former British Prime Minister John Major delivered a lecture at Iveagh House on 11 December last, commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the signing of the Downing Street Declaration on 15 December 1993. The event was hosted and organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This was the third in a series of commemorative lectures forming the Iveagh House...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Marching Season (18 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together. I have previously outlined to the House the main provisions of the final Haass/O'Sullivan proposals. On Parades, the proposals recognise parading as an important cultural and historical tradition for many in Northern Ireland which enjoys protection under European and international human rights law. They note the wide variety of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (18 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: At present, Ireland’s diplomatic network includes 56 Embassies, 7 multilateral missions and 10 Consulates General and other offices. This includes Embassies in all Eurozone and other EU Member States, with the exception of Croatia. Following the recent Government Decision to expand the diplomatic network abroad, it is our intention that the new Embassy to Croatia will be fully...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (18 Feb 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I strongly support Irish neutrality, which forms a central element of our foreign policy. Irish neutrality, which is characterised by non-participation in military alliances, complements our active commitment to international engagement. Over the years, Ireland has sought to make a direct and constructive contribution to global peace and security, through the UN, the EU, as well as though...