Results 1,601-1,620 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Second, we succeeded in negotiating the end of the promissory note payment and the liquidation of Anglo Irish Bank, or the IBRC as it had then become. Third, we succeeded in persuading our European partners to make a significant policy decision in June 2012 on the separation of bank and sovereign debt. Ireland's situation was specifically referenced in that decision because Ireland had...

Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The circumstances in which the Garda may intervene in a family situation and children may be removed for their own safety have already been established. The question that arises is what happened in this case. We must establish the facts. The intention is that those reports will be prepared over the next two to three weeks and will be given to the children's Ombudsman, who will liaise on...

Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Deputy McDonald has raised three issues. First, she asked me for a categoric statement in respect of discrimination against any family or child on the basis of ethnic or other background. Let us be clear - all children and families in this country, irrespective of ethnic, religious and other backgrounds, enjoy the same rights. There can be no discrimination, targeting or special treatment....

Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: We need to reflect on what is important, namely, the safety of children. We all agree that the practices and neglect that formed part of our history in dealing with children must be put behind us. That is being done. The safety and welfare of children are being put at the heart of the entire child protection system. As regards how that is operated, however, it has to be done in an...

Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I agree with Deputy Troy that the reports we have heard on the removal of the two children from their families are disturbing on a number of levels and join him in welcoming the fact that the children have been returned to their families. I acknowledge the distress this has caused to the children and families concerned. Deputy Troy accepts that the gardaí acted in good faith on the...

Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: We expect that the legislation will be published this session. As Deputy Troy will be aware, the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, has been bringing forward the guidelines and legislation. It is important to recognise this is not an issue of legislation; it is an issue of practice. The issue to be addressed is what happens in practice. We can have all the legislation and guidelines in the world.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (24 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952 gives the Minister for Foreign Affairs primary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland. Permission to land at Irish airports, including Shannon Airport, is subject to the condition that the aircraft are unarmed, carry no arms, ammunition or explosives, do not engage in intelligence...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passports Data (24 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 to 52, inclusive, together. There were approximately 4,695,000 Irish passports in circulation, in date, and valid on 21 October 2013. The Passports Act 2008 requires that before issuing a passport to a person, the Passport Service must be satisfied that the applicant is an Irish citizen. An Irish citizen is defined in the Act as a person who: - is an...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (23 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I thank first all the Deputies who contributed to this debate. It will help to inform the Irish position at this week’s European Council. When I spoke last week on the budget, I said it would copper-fasten the stability that has been so hard-won here in Ireland. I also said that as a country, we had been through too much to put that stability and our ongoing recovery at risk. It...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (23 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of the recent report issued by the World Bank which found that Israel's continued control of Area C deprives the Palestinian economy of an estimated $3.4 billion a year. The report was also raised in recent discussions which my colleague, the Minister of State for Trade and Development, Joe Costello, had with Palestinian representatives, including Foreign Minister Malki, during...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (23 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: This is an issue to which I accord very high priority. During my visit to the US last month, I spoke with several key contacts in the US Congress including leading members of the House Judiciary Committee, Minority House Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Chair of the Congressional Friends of Ireland, Pete King. I also met with representatives of Irish community groups as well as some community...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Trade Promotion (23 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Developing Ireland's trade and investment relationship with China is a key priority for the Government. This is reflected in the large number of high level visits that have taken place between Ireland and China in recent years, and the strong growth seen in many sectors. The implementation of Ireland's Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy is overseen by the Export Trade Council, which I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (22 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Since 30 June this year it has no longer been possible for citizens residing on the island of Ireland to submit passport applications by regular or registered post. All such postal applications must now be submitted through the passport express service operated on behalf of the Passport Service by An Post and by the Post Office in Northern Ireland. This service, which involves a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Excise Duties Issues (22 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I share the concerns of the Deputy and fully understand the frustration of the company at the long delay in reimbursing excise duty due to them for the years in question. I am particularly concerned by the risk which this delay poses to the viability of the company, and the livelihoods of all involved. At my request, the Irish Embassy in Brussels contacted the Belgian authorities, and by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Membership Issues (22 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: There are currently six countries that have formally applied to join the EU and are in varying stages of the accession process: Turkey, Montenegro, Iceland, Serbia, Macedonia and Albania. Two countries, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, are in the pre-accession phase. Ireland is a strong supporter of EU enlargement and we believe it remains one of the EU's most successful policies,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (22 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for Vote 27 – International Cooperation - and Vote 28 - the Departmental Vote. Vote 27 delivers on Ireland's global development commitments, focusing on hunger and poverty, and largely relates to programmes administered by Irish Aid. Vote 28 funds the Department's activities in promoting Ireland's economic and trade interests...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (22 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government appointed the Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as non-resident ambassador to the Holy See, thereby ensuring that contact with the Holy See is maintained at the highest possible diplomatic level. Ambassador Cooney travels to Rome regularly and I am satisfied that the current arrangement for Ireland's representation at the Holy See is the most...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (22 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland's diplomatic network includes 56 Embassies, 7 multilateral missions and 10 Consulates General and other offices. In addition to their country of residence, many Ambassadors are also accredited to additional countries on a concurrent basis which enhances the cost-effectiveness of our external representation. Our missions abroad work very closely with the state agencies in the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (22 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland is committed to upholding a multilateral approach to international relations, based upon the equality of states and the rule of law. This commitment has been expressed through our membership of, and active participation in, international organisations such as the European Union and the United Nations. Membership of these organisations has enabled us to promote the interests, values...

Standing Orders: Motion (17 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: We said we would review it in January.