Results 1,841-1,860 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: White Paper on Defence (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The White Paper on Defence, which is expected to be published by the Minister for Defence next year, will provide a framework for Ireland’s defence policy for the period 2014-2024. There have been significant changes in both the domestic and the international security and defence environment since the last White Paper was published in 2000. The publication of the Green Paper on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Issues (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: There is at present no Syrian Ambassador accredited to Ireland, following the departure of the last non-resident Ambassador from London in March 2012. Nor have there been any recent contacts with Syrian diplomatic representatives based at their Embassy in London.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Terrorism (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack at the Westgate Shopping Centre in Nairobi which, so far, is known to have left 72 people dead, and over 200 people injured. I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the families of the deceased and injured. As I stated while the attack was still happening, Ireland, along with our EU partners, stands in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Appointments (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I have appointed seventeen Honorary Consuls as follows: Year of Appointment Location Name of Honorary Consul Occupation 2013 Kenya,- Nairobi Mr. Jonathan Andrew Sutton Businessman 2013 Botswana, Gaborone Mr. Paul Gerard Sullivan Businessman 2013 Kazakhstan, Almaty Mr. Kairat Mazhibayev Businessman 2013 Turkey, Antalya Mr. Mehmet Seckin Arkan Lawyer 2013 Canada, Nova Scotia Mr. Brian...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The new sewage treatment plant in Gaza is critical infrastructure to protect public health, and especially to prevent the total contamination of Gaza’s groundwater, from which all drinking water is drawn, by sewage leaking from the existing inadequate facilities. The future operation of the plant is a matter of speculation, but it is clearly essential that it become fully operational...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations Issues (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 74 together. Ireland’s membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) presents an opportunity to enhance our reputation internationally and to make a meaningful contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights. During Ireland’s three year membership of the HRC, which runs from 2013-2015, we are actively working...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy is aware, three members of the Russian music band ‘Pussy Riot’ were sentenced to prison terms of two years on 17 August 2012 following the performance of a satirical song in a Moscow cathedral in February 2012. While the sentence of one band member was subsequently suspended on appeal, the court upheld the custodial sentences imposed on the other two members, Maria...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland has long held the position that only a political solution can bring peace to Syria. I have repeatedly stated my belief that further militarisation is unlikely in any way to contribute to a solution of the conflict or lessen the suffering of the Syrian people. I have also consistently opposed the supply of weapons to all sides of the conflict and continue to do so. The EU has...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: In my ongoing contacts with the Secretary of State and with the Northern Ireland Executive, including in the context of the North South Ministerial Council, I have pressed for the re-establishment of the Civic Forum as a valuable and, as yet, unimplemented provision of the Good Friday Agreement. In my address to the British Irish Association on 7 September, 2013, I pointed out that Northern...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I met with Richard Haass in New York last week to discuss his work and the issues that he has been asked to address by the Northern Ireland Executive. The meeting followed an earlier conversation with him on 13 September last. Our discussions provided a valuable opportunity to hear his considered view on the talks process and to get his assessment of the way forward. I had met the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to Question No. 8 (PQ41155/13) on this topic, which was as follows: I have consistently called for the end of all restrictions on movement in and out of Gaza, and will continue to do so. I have also commented on the specific restrictions placed on fishermen. Even though the limit enforced by Israel has been extended from 3 to 6 miles, this is still...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Policy on the placement and treatment of a country’s nationals in prison in the European Union is a matter for the democratically elected government and the relevant competent authorities in each Member State in accordance with domestic, European and international law, and, as such, it would be inappropriate for me to become involved in the matter in question. As I have stated...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Directives (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The timely transposition of EU Directives is a priority for the Government. The Government has established an Interdepartmental Committee on EU Engagement (ICEE) to ensure active oversight of progress by Departments in transposition and implementation of EU legislation. The Committee is also charged with examining and improving overall working methods and the exchange of best practice in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes region was discussed at a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 22 July, which I attended. At that meeting the Council adopted comprehensive Conclusions in support of the ‘Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the Region’, which had been concluded in Addis Ababa on 24...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I have clearly stated on numerous occasions that the use of Irish airspace and airports for extraordinary rendition operations has not, and will not, be permitted under any circumstances. The current Programme for Government states clearly that this Government “will enforce the prohibition of the use of Irish airports and related facilities for purposes not in line with the dictates...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Application Fees (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Yesterday I launched a redesigned Irish passport that incorporates images of Irish landscape and culture with innovative and enhanced security features. Over the lifetime of the contract for this booklet the average cost of the blank book will be halved. In these current economic times the procurement of an enhanced product from an Irish company at a lower cost to the Irish people is to be...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Last Wednesday, 25 September, I announced that the Government will make a voluntary contribution of €200,000 in support of the destruction of chemical weapons in Syria. This funding will be provided to the trust fund established by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons for that purpose. The practical implementation of the framework agreement brokered by the US and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European External Action Service (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The High Representative's Review of the European External Action Service (EEAS), was circulated to EU Foreign Ministers in late July. Ireland welcomes the opportunity to take stock of the performance of the EEAS following its first two and a half years in operation. The Review was the subject of discussions at the informal Foreign Ministers meeting which I co-hosted, together with Cathy...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Missions Participation (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I refer the Deputy to my reply to PQ37204.13 on 18 September. I undertook a political and trade mission to China (Beijing and Shanghai) from 30 July to 3 August 2013, at the invitation of the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi. The purpose of my visit was to strengthen the high-level political engagement necessary to deliver on the Strategic Partnership Agreement between Ireland and China....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Neutrality (2 Oct 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I read with interest the Red C Poll to which the Deputy refers, which indicates that 78% of the public supports Ireland's policy of neutrality, a policy to which this Government is fully committed and which will remain a lynchpin of our foreign policy for the foreseeable future. This policy, which is characterised by non-participation in military alliances, is underpinned by a set of...