Results 1,201-1,220 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (4 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: No. I stated previously that we would consider the position with regard to our mission network when our EU Presidency had concluded. When we closed three missions in 2011, I stated that the review of the mission network would be an ongoing process. Work in respect of this matter is ongoing and this is not unconnected to the wider review of foreign policy, trade strategy and engagement with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (4 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I welcome the opportunity to engage with the committee on the review of Ireland's foreign policy and external engagement I have asked my Department to undertake. Ireland's foreign policy is an essential element of government, being the means by which we promote our values and pursue our interests abroad. Through it, we pursue Ireland's economic prosperity and promote peace and security,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Affairs Councils: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (4 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I am in the Chairman's hands.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Affairs Councils: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (4 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I am concerned about the finishing time because there is a Labour Party parliamentary party meeting at 5 p.m.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Affairs Councils: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (4 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: In respect of the Eastern Partnership, Ukraine and Russia, the Lithuanian Presidency did an excellent job preparing the Vilnius Summit. The signing of the association agreement with Georgia and Moldova was very significant. It is a pity that it was not possible to sign the association agreement with Ukraine, which is strategically important. It is very important that the EU-Ukraine...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Affairs Councils: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (4 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The questions covered considerable ground. On the eastern partnership, we had hoped to be able to sign the association agreement with Ukraine at the Vilnius summit and work was progressing to that end. There have been ongoing discussions about the requirement to meet the conditions necessary for signature. One of the key issues was the issue of what is known as selective justice, at the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Affairs Councils: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (4 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I thank the Chairman and members of the committee. I welcome the opportunity to meet them today to review recent discussions at the Foreign Affairs Council in the latter half of 2013. It has been a busy few months with the Council focusing on a number of important issues, including efforts to reinvigorate the Middle East peace process, the search for a resolution to the ongoing crisis in...

Order of Business (4 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill is awaiting Committee Stage.

Order of Business (4 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I do not have a date, but it is expected to come before the committee quite soon. In regard to the report on Dóchas, I understand it is intended to deal with the overcrowding issue and we are, therefore, anxious to see the legislation passed. In regard to the committee report-----

Order of Business (4 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The recommendations are being considered by the Minister for Justice and Equality and I am sure that when he is in a position to bring proposals to the Government he will do so.

Order of Business (4 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Deputy would have been very welcome, but the transfer market is getting crowded.

Order of Business (4 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The proposals for the criminal law (sexual offences) Bill will be brought to the Government shortly. The Bill is expected to be published next year.

Order of Business (4 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The geothermal energy development Bill, which is to provide a legislative framework for the vesting, licensing and regulation of the development of geothermal energy, is expected late next year. My information is that Bill will come after the minerals development Bill. There is a sequence.

Order of Business (4 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The heads are being developed in consultation with key stakeholders and the Bill is expected next year.

Order of Business (4 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The national paediatric hospital development Bill is being progressed. I do not have a date for its publication but work is being done on it.

Order of Business (4 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I am glad the Deputy acknowledges that we are at last reaching a position where we might consider a social dividend after all people have been through. We have no social welfare Bill scheduled for the remainder of this year.

Order of Business (4 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: This issue on the commencement of the Charities Act was raised yesterday and I undertook that I would arrange to get responses sent to the Deputies who raised it. I will ask that Deputy Ross be included in that circulation.

Order of Business (4 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The legislation on the leader's allowances paid to Independent Members is in the Seanad and will be in this House early in the new year. A Dáil debate on the disappeared has been discussed at Whips' meetings but legislative business has been prioritised. I will ask the Chief Whip to address it again.

Order of Business (4 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The terrorist offences Bill will be early next year. Recently I met briefly with Mr. Michael Gallagher from the Omagh families. I hope to have a longer meeting with him. The EirGrid Bill will be published next year.

Order of Business (4 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The health service plan was submitted to the Minister for Health on 25 November. As I am working from memory, I hope the Deputy will not get back to me in a few days if it turns out to be 26 November.