Results 501-520 of 6,681 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland has for many years supported the achievement of a fully sovereign state of Palestine as an essential element to the resolution of the Middle East conflict. Both nationally and in concert with our EU partners, we work for the realisation of this goal and to help build up the Palestinian institutions for statehood. Ireland’s position has always been clear that full diplomatic...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme and to its place at the heart of Ireland’s foreign policy. Our new policy on International Development, 'One World, One Future', focuses sharply on the poorest countries and communities in sub-Saharan Africa and on three goals: reducing hunger, building sustainable growth and good governance. I believe...

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

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 44 and 65 together. As I stated earlier in my reply to Questions Nos. 1, 2 and 3, I have made clear the Government's view to all participants and stakeholders that the Panel of Parties Talks presented an opportunity to make further progress towards advancing reconciliation and the creation of a truly reconciled and prosperous society in Northern Ireland....

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

Eamon Gilmore: I have closely followed developments in relation to the Basque Country since the declaration by ETA on 20 October 2011 that the organisation had "decided on the definitive cessation of its armed activity". I have also taken careful note of the public statement on 4 January by a group of former ETA prisoners in which they expressed regret for the suffering inflicted on all sides during the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 27 together. I was not on the recent Trade Mission to the Gulf which was led by the Taoiseach and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton. Therefore, I cannot comment directly on what was said during their bilateral meetings. However, I understand that during the course of his visit to Saudi Arabia from 4th to 6th January,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 29, 30, 38 and 39 together. In relation to the overall humanitarian situation in Gaza, the impact of the blockade, and the humanitarian assistance provided by Ireland in response, I would refer to my detailed reply to Question 28 (ref 53172/13) on 11 December last. Ireland, both nationally and through the EU, will continue to draw attention to the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Strategy (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: On 17 January 2013, the Government decided to initiate a short focused review of the Government’s Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy which covers the period to 2015. This decision was reiterated in the Action Plan for Jobs 2013, under Action Point 202: "In cooperation with all relevant Departments and agencies, carry out a short and focused review of the Government Trade Strategy,...

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

Eamon Gilmore: The Foreign Affairs Council had a wide-ranging discussion on the situation in Ukraine at its meeting on 16 December 2013 in Brussels. High Representative Ashton reported to the Council on her visit to Kiev where she held talks with President Yanukovych and other government representatives, the opposition and civil society. There was disappointment with Ukraine’s decision in November...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The question of Ireland’s ratification of the Antarctic Treaty and related agreements comprising the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) has been examined in some detail by the Government and Offices concerned. While the objectives and achievements of the ATS are of considerable importance and the commitment of the signatories is commendable, the direct benefits to Ireland of ratification...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Issues (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland’s three-year membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC), from 2013-15, presents an opportunity to make an enhanced contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights. During our term, we are actively working to add value to the work of the Council and strengthen the institution itself. Ireland’s approach to membership of the HRC is guided by...

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

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 78 together. The person referred to by the Deputy holds dual American and Irish citizenship. He applied for Irish Citizenship through Foreign Birth Registration and became an Irish citizen in September 2013. He had not claimed Irish citizenship at the time of his alleged offence in 1996 or conviction in 2001. The person referred to by the Deputy...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008 (the Act). This broadly provides, among other requirements, that a person’s identity is known to the Minister for Foreign Affairs before a passport can issue to that person. The Department wrote to the person in question on 12 March, 2013 to inform her that her application for a passport had been...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland is not a party to the Hague Convention (V) respecting the Rights and Duties of Neutral Powers and Persons in Case of War on Land. As I outlined in a response to the Deputy in this House on 19 November 2013, sovereign immunity applies automatically as a matter of law, including in respect to foreign State or military aircraft. In my response, I also set out the legal rules...

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

Eamon Gilmore: The Government is fully committed to maintaining relations with the Holy See. Ambassador Cooney was in the Vatican earlier this week where he attended the New Year Greeting ceremony with Pope Francis and also met Archbishop Parolin. He did not attend the event on 13 December.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Broadcasting Sector Regulation (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: There are mechanisms in Ireland for the hearing of broadcasting complaints. The operation of those mechanisms, and the response to them by media outlets, is not the responsibility of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of the developments in Pitalito and, at my request, officials of the Embassy of Ireland in Mexico City, which is also accredited to Colombia, have raised with the Colombian authorities concerns regarding the community displaced from their land. The promotion and protection of human rights is a core principle of Ireland’s foreign policy. Ireland engages on human rights...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I am concerned at the continuing recourse on the part of the Israeli occupation authorities to the use of criminal charges, periods of detention, and interrogation, to harass and deter peaceful protesters and activists, and increasingly to blur the distinction between such legitimate activities and violent actions. We have consistently conveyed these concerns to the Israeli authorities,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: My Department has a long-standing arrangement in place with an external provider for the provision of telephonist services for the main switchboard. The Department will be going to tender again for these services in early 2014. Calls to the dedicated Passport Service number are answered by Department staff.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Membership Issues (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together. Prime Minister Cameron stated in a speech on 23 January 2013 that the Conservative party manifesto for the next parliamentary elections, expected in 2015, will seek a mandate for a Conservative Government to negotiate a new settlement with EU partners, and that if a Conservative Government is elected, it will put such a settlement to a...

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

Eamon Gilmore: It is clear that the legacy of the Past needs to be dealt with to allow Northern Ireland to move on to a truly peaceful and reconciled society.Efforts to address the legacy should be motivated, above all, by a commitment to making progress towards reconciliation and a cohesive society. The Panel of Parties Talks stimulated a welcome discussion on these issues with the engagement of a...