Results 201-220 of 6,680 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (27 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 64 together. I have regular comprehensive discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, most recently on 21 May, about the overall situation in the North and the peace process. I discuss a number of issues regularly with her, including the threats posed by so-called dissident republicans, as well as attacks by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (27 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I met with Dr Haass on 23 May when he visited Dublin after his visit to London on 22 May. We share the view that progress in the Party Leaders Talks is urgently needed. I remain convinced that the best way forward for dealing with important issues such as parades, flag and identity issues and dealing with the past, is the early, successful conclusion of these talks. Maintaining the status...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (27 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 58 together. Since the replacement of the Royal Ulster Constabulary by the PSNI in 2001 as recommended by the Patten report in 1999, Northern Ireland has benefitted from a new beginning for policing and for public confidence in policing. As part of the transformation in policing accountability mechanisms are in place to hold the PSNI to account,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (27 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government, and our European Union partners, are completely opposed to the death penalty in all cases. We also attach the utmost importance to combating all forms of discrimination based on religion or belief. Freedom of religion or belief is one of Ireland's priorities for our membership of the Human Rights Council, from 2013 to 2015, and we have played a central role in the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (27 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: This passport was issued on the 15thMay 2014 and sent to our mission for onwards transmission to the applicant.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Driver Licence Exchange (27 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I am deeply conscious of the unease within the Irish community in Canada about the lack of reciprocal arrangements with the various Canadian Provinces, each of which is responsible for regulating and issuing licences to motorists resident within its own jurisdiction. The lack of such agreements with Ireland can have the effect of restricting the opportunities for employment for holders of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (27 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: While I have not personally spoken to Prime Minister Yatsenyuk following recent events in Ukraine, the European Union through President Van Rompuy and the Commission continues to maintain regular contact with the Prime Minister and the interim government in Kiev and to keep member States informed of these discussions. President Van Rompuy held talks with the Prime Minister in Kiev on 12 May...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (27 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The Taoiseach represented the Government at the canonisation of Saints John XXIII and John Paul II in Rome on Sunday 27 April. After the ceremony, he had the opportunity to speak with Pope Francis. During the exchange, the Taoiseach conveyed to Pope Francis that were he to accept an invitation to visit Ireland from the Catholic bishops, such a visit would have the full support of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (27 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Officials from my Department met representatives from the Armenian Embassy last October, following the decision by President Sargsyan that Armenia would join the Eurasian Customs Union, and would not proceed with the initialling of an Association Agreement with the European Union. At that meeting, it was made clear to the Armenian side that, while we respected their sovereign choice, we and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Resolutions (27 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The question of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) has been the subject of resolutions adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations, as well as its special committee on decolonisation. The committee adopted its most recent resolution in June 2013 and expressed its regret that, in spite of widespread international support for negotiation between the two Governments, implementation of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (15 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy will be aware, my colleague the Minister of State for European Affairs, Paschal Donohoe T.D. attended the most recent Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in Brussels on 12 May. The Council agenda covered many key policy issues and important Conclusions were reached on a number of areas. While the situation in the Ukraine and relations with Russia continue to dominate the European...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (15 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government was represented at the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) of 12 May 2014 by the Minister for European Affairs, Paschal Donohoe T.D. The FAC conclusions reaffirm the European Union’s support for Ukraine’s unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and call upon the Russian Federation to do likewise. The Council expressed alarm at the continued efforts by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (15 May 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.Immigration reform and the challenges faced by our undocumented remain central to our bilateral...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (15 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy is aware, this weekend, on 17 May, sees the fortieth anniversary of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. With 33 killed, that terrible day saw the highest number of casualties on any single day during the Troubles. It left a further 300 people injured. The Taoiseach and I have reiterated our support for the all-party Dáil motions of July 2008 and May 2011 urging the British...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (15 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The Deputy will be aware of the Government Decision of 6 May 2014 regarding the nomination of ambassadors to Embassies abroad, including the Ambassador to Thailand. It should be noted that nominations of ambassadors are subject to the approval (agrément) of the authorities of the receiving States and appointments are not formally confirmed until this approval is forthcoming. In...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (15 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 56 together. I remain firmly of the view that Northern Ireland urgently requires a new way forward on dealing with the past that can command public confidence. The early successful conclusion of the political talks represents the best opportunity to make progress across all three important areas of parades, flag and identity issues and dealing...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Medical Aids and Appliances Provision (15 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: There are ten defibrillators in my Department. One defibrillator is accessible in each of the ten buildings where officials of my Department are located, including in the Passport Offices. The cost of each defibrillator was €1,295.85. As there is no public access to departmental offices outside of office hours, the defibrillators are not available during such periods.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (14 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland is committed to defending the universality of human rights, including the promotion and protection of space within which civil society can operate, free from harassment or intimidation. Ireland engages on human rights issues on an on-going basis in our contacts with the Colombian Government and civil society. We have also raised issues of concern within the context of the most...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (13 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The people of Scotland will vote in a referendum on 18 September 2014 on the question: ‘Should Scotland be an independent country?’ That question is one which the people of Scotland, and they alone, should decide. I do not believe it would be appropriate for the Government to comment, therefore, on issues which at this stage are hypothetical, especially where comment might be...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Bodies (13 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: There are no commercial semi-State companies under the aegis of my Department.