Results 1,961-1,980 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: In October 2011, responsibility for the coordination of EU policy formally transferred from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to a newly created EU Affairs and Coordination Division in the Department of the Taoiseach. The new arrangements responded to the evolution of EU institutional structures and practices following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, in particular the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following table. Grade *Full-time equivalent number serving on 31 July 2013 Equivalent civil service grade Secretary General 1 Secretary General Second Secretary 2 Second Secretary Deputy Secretary 3 Deputy Secretary Assistant Secretary 30 Assistant Secretary Counsellor 55 Principal Officer First Secretary 98.9*...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Diplomatic relations between Ireland and the Kingdom of Morocco were established in 1975. The Moroccan Embassy in Dublin was headed for some years by a Chargé d'Affaires, but since 2009 Morocco has been represented here at Ambassador level. The Irish Ambassador to Portugal is accredited to Morocco. Ireland also has two Honorary Consuls in Morocco; in Agadir and Casablanca respectively....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Service Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: There are no plans to transfer the Passport Service to the Department of Justice and Equality at this time. The Passport Service continues to work on a number of service enhancements and I would like to see this process completed before further consideration is given to any transfer. There are security implications in the outsourcing of passport processing. Best international practice, as...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Missions Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I undertook a political and trade mission to China (Beijing and Shanghai) from 30 July to 3August 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, to support Irish companies doing business in China, to promote...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Ambassador Daniel M. Rooney completed his Mission as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Ireland on 14 December 2012. Pending the nomination of his successor, the Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the United States of America is acting in the capacity of Chargé d'Affaires, ad interim. The appointment of a new Ambassador is a matter...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a roster of observers for election monitoring missions. We aim to ensure that, when requested, Ireland is represented at an appropriate level on international observation missions for elections and constitutional referendums. Irish observers participate primarily in missions organised by the European Union and the Organisation for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Missions Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: During my recent political and trade mission to China (30th July- 3rd August), I announced that Ireland has secured full market access to China for salmon exports. This follows on from intensive negotiations with the Chinese authorities by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) in conjunction with the Irish Embassy in Beijing. The conclusion of these negotiations represents an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 102 to 104, inclusive, together. I have been monitoring the situation in the Russian Federation very carefully and share the concerns of the Deputies and indeed of the many citizens who have written to me about the recent Russian legislation. I am on record in the Dáil and elsewhere confirming Ireland’s firm commitment to combating...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government continues to monitor the situation in relation to Gibraltar as well as the ongoing discussions between the UK and Spain on the issues involved. In common with other EU Member States and with the European Commission, Ireland hopes that the two Governments and all parties involved will be able to address these matters in an open and constructive spirit and in a manner which...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I have no plans at present to close or otherwise alter our diplomatic accreditation to Egypt as a result of recent unrest in the country.The Irish Embassy in Cairo has continued operating throughout recent months and has provided the normal range of services to Irish citizens and businesses, as well as keeping my Department updated on the evolving situation, and representing the interests of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland's priorities at the 68th Session of the General Assembly will include continued efforts to advance the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals; support for efforts to promote of peace and security in particular in relation to areas of current conflict or tension; promotion of Human Rights, democracy and the rule of Law; and the strengthening of the effectiveness of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: My Department is among the most active on social media and I recognise the potential of Twitter, in particular, to provide timely and relevant information to citizens in Ireland and abroad. The Department began to establish social media accounts in 2011. Currently our missions operate 25 Twitter accounts and two Facebook accounts, with more to be established in the months ahead. These...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The European External Action Service (EEAS) is staffed by officials from the EU Commission, the EU Council Secretariat and diplomats from the EU Member States. The Council Decision which established the EEAS in 2010 stipulated that Member State diplomats should represent at least one third of all staff at Administrator (AD) level. On the whole, there has been good progress made towards...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Register of Electors Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government is responsible for legislation dealing with the registration of electors and the conduct of elections and referendums. The Electoral Act 1992 provides for voting by post in Irish elections by civil servants serving at Irish embassies, consular offices and permanent missions of Ireland to international organisations and,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I have previously replied to the Deputy in relation to the GAC held on Tuesday 25 June and no GAC has taken place since then, with that scheduled for Tuesday 23 July having been cancelled. The next GAC is scheduled to take place on Monday 30th September.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I attended the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Vilnius (known as the “Gymnich”) on 6-7 September. As this was an informal meeting, there are no council conclusions or formal decisions taken. However, we had some useful discussions on current foreign policy issues, not least the ongoing crisis in Syria. We began with a discussion on Security and Defence issues, which...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Advertising Expenditure (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Advertising undertaken by my Department relates mainly to notification of changes to passport and consular fees, public office opening hours, and occasional employment, grants, and other matters, including Irish Aid activities, which require communication to a national audience. National print media are considered to be most appropriate for such requirements but there may be occasions when...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Appointments (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 to 97, inclusive, together. My Department has seven bodies, boards or committees under its remit to which I make appointments. These are: the Emigrant Services Advisory Committee; the Advisory Group of the Global Irish Network; the Ireland - United States Commission for Educational Exchange (The Fulbright Commission); the Irish Aid Expert Advisory...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (18 Sep 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Foreign Affairs Council met on 21 August 2013 in an extraordinary meeting called in response to the serious violence which had occurred during and following the forcible dispersion of demonstrations on 14 August, and subsequent political turmoil. The general view of the Council, which I supported, was that the EU needed to show clearly that the violence that had occurred was unacceptable,...