Results 521-540 of 6,681 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Eamon Gilmore

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

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 49 together. Over 3,500 people died during the Troubles. The suffering of their relatives and friends endures to this day. There is no hierarchy of loss or grief for these families. However, both Governments accepted at Weston Park that certain cases from the past remained a source of grave public concern, particularly those giving rise to...

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

Eamon Gilmore: Since March 2011 there have been no formal approaches to my Department by countries wishing to open a resident Embassy here.

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

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 to 59, inclusive, and 71 and 75 together. The scale and presence of our diplomatic network is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis. Any decision to adjust the state’s external representation, including the opening of missions, will have regard to national priorities and available resources. At present, Ireland’s diplomatic...

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

Eamon Gilmore: The origins of the Vienna Convention lie in the work of the International Law Commission on the codification of international law on diplomatic relations and immunities. The Commission considered the topic for a number of years before adopting draft articles with commentary, which were presented to the United Nations General Assembly in 1958. Following on from this, a United Nations...

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

Eamon Gilmore: The EU Solidarity Fund was set up by the European Union to respond to major natural disasters and express European solidarity with disaster-stricken regions within Europe. A major disaster is defined as damage estimated at over €3bn or 0.6% of GNI. In Ireland’s case this would amount to approximately €770 million. In exceptional circumstances, however, when the damage is...

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

Eamon Gilmore: With regard to the staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the calculation and payment of superannuation benefits, including the awarding of added years, is a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Appointments to State Boards (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: There are no State agencies operating under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: National Internship Scheme Data (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: While my Department has actively sought to participate in the scheme, there have been no JobBridge placements in my Department to date.

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

Eamon Gilmore: Trade and investment promotion are key priorities for the Government, as part of its wider strategy to promote economic growth and employment. The Government is committed to developing Ireland’s trade and investment relationship with key markets in Asia, including the Republic of Korea (South Korea), to the maximum extent possible. Korea is identified as a priority market under...

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

Eamon Gilmore: Developing Ireland’s trade and investment relationship with China is an ongoing priority for the Government. The importance of China as a trading partner for Ireland 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 key sectors. Total trade with China (including its various...

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

Eamon Gilmore: Trade and investment promotion are key priorities for the Government, as part of its wider strategy to promote economic growth and employment. The Government is committed to developing Ireland’s trade and investment relationship with Japan to the maximum extent possible. Japan is identified as a priority market under Ireland’s Trade Strategy, a review of which will be...

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

Eamon Gilmore: Developing Ireland’s trade and investment relationship with India is an ongoing priority for the Government. The Export Trade Council, which I chair, is responsible for the implementation of Ireland’s Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy. The Council includes relevant Ministers, heads of State Agencies involved in trade promotion, along with representatives of the private...

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

Eamon Gilmore: My Department can authenticate the original document provided by the Office of the Registrar General for submission to the South African authorities. The document can be either presented at our offices in Cork or Dublin or posted to our office in Dublin (see contact details below) for authentication. The fee for authentication of a document is €40. Cork Consular Services Section ...

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

Eamon Gilmore: The Government closely follows the situation of the Rohingya people in Myanmar/Burma and is deeply concerned by ongoing reports and evidence of serious human rights abuses. Myanmar/Burma continues to undergo a process of long-awaited transition towards full democracy. Ireland, together with our EU partners, recognises that significant progress has been made, but that difficult and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Illegal Israeli Imports (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 74 together. My Department’s website already contains cautionary advice in relation to buying property in Israeli settlements. I am aware of the more recent advice introduced by the British Government. I am open to considering further strengthening of our advice, but my preference would be for action at EU level. Ireland has been active in the...

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

Eamon Gilmore: The interim agreement reached between the P5+1 and Iran on 24 November was a very welcome first step, and I am hopeful that it may act as a springboard to the achievement of a final agreement to resolve this dispute during 2014. The active and positive engagement and leading role of the United States played a crucial part in achieving this interim agreement. The US Administration remains...

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

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy notes, the Foreign Minister of the Netherlands, Mr Frans Timmermans, visited Cuba from 5-7 January last with a view to strengthening bilateral ties. I understand that Minister Timmermans met with the Cuban Foreign Minister and other members of the Cuban Government as well as with representatives of civil society. Amongst the themes of this visit, which covered issues such as...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: North South Ministerial Council (15 Jan 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The numbers of formal meetings of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in the years 2009 to 2013 are set out in tabular form below. The NSMC meets in a number of formats. Plenary format involves the Government led by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste and the Northern Ireland Executive led by the First Minister and deputy First Minister. In Institutional format, the Irish Government...

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

Eamon Gilmore: There are five countries that currently have candidate status and have applied to join the European Union: Turkey, Iceland, Montenegro, Serbia and Macedonia, each of which is at a different stage in its relations with the EU: Turkey has been a candidate since 1999 and is currently in accession negotiations with the European Union. Following the agreement reached in June under the Irish...

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

Eamon Gilmore: Turkey has been a candidate for EU membership since 1999 and has been in accession negotiations since 2005. There are currently fourteen chapters open in the negotiations and one provisionally closed. During the Irish Presidency last year, we laid the groundwork for the opening of the latest chapter, Chapter 22 on regional policy, the first chapter to be opened in three years. While I have...