Results 541-560 of 6,681 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore in 'Written Answers'

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

Eamon Gilmore: While the majority of Irish services and merchandise exports go to Europe and the US and we must continue to cultivate these markets, the Government is strongly focused on the further development of trading partnerships with other important emerging markets. Following the launch of the Government’s Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy, ‘Trading and Investing in a Smart...

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

Eamon Gilmore: The promotion of Ireland’s economic and trading interests overseas is a strategic priority for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and its Embassy network. Alongside its foreign policy, diplomatic and consular functions, the Embassy network is a key platform for the promotion of Ireland’s trade, investment and tourism objectives. In June 2011, certain trade promotion...

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

Eamon Gilmore: Ending the conflict is Syria is a critical objective for the Government and the wider international community. The cessation of the present violence is essential to addressing the widespread abuses of human rights and the crimes committed by the Assad regime and opposition armed groups against the civilian population of Syria. Ireland strongly supports the efforts of the UN and the...

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

Eamon Gilmore: The protection of human rights in Egypt remains a matter of continuing concern to Ireland. I have previously raised these concerns in discussions with my EU colleagues, most notably at the extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 21 August 2013. I have also discussed our concerns directly with the interim Egyptian Foreign Minister, Nabil Fahmy. Ireland has also expressed...

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

Eamon Gilmore: The EU remains committed to promoting peace, democracy and stability in Europe through its enlargement policy. This commitment was most recently reiterated in the Conclusions of the General Affairs Council of 17 December. With regard to the Western Balkans in particular, the EU noted that ten years ago at the Thessaloniki Summit of 2003, the EU reiterated its unequivocal support to the...

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

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland, along with our EU Partners, pursues a strategic and comprehensive approach to countries in Africa suffering the consequences of conflict or natural disaster. This approach encompasses political and diplomatic engagement, development cooperation programming, humanitarian assistance, and support for peacekeeping operations. The top ten poorest countries in the world are in Africa....

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

Eamon Gilmore: While there is more hope now of a peaceful resolution of the nuclear issue, the Deputy’s Question is a timely reminder that there remain very considerable human rights concerns in relation to Iran, which have generally speaking worsened over the last ten years. The new Government in Iran has made some welcome statements on improving the protection of human rights in Iran. Ireland and...

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

Eamon Gilmore: I strongly support the Colombian peace process and hope that ongoing negotiations will bring an end to the long conflict there which has caused much suffering. During the course of 2013, negotiators reached agreement on the land reform and political participation elements of their discussions and I commend them for the progress that they have secured. In November 2013, the Secretary...

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

Eamon Gilmore: Matters relating to the processing of driver’s licences in Ireland and reciprocal exchange agreements are the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority which falls under the aegis of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. I am of course aware of the issues relating to driver’s licences in Alberta, and in other provinces across Canada. This is a matter of concern to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Application Numbers (19 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Irish Passport Service produced a total of 632,073new passports in 2012. The Irish Passport Service produced a total of 623,955 new passports from 01 January 2013 to 13 December 2013 (inclusive).

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Expenditure (19 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The decision to close Ireland’s Embassy in Teheran in 2011 followed a thorough review of the overseas diplomatic network in which particular attention was paid to the promotion of Irish economic interests and the economic return from missions abroad. Ireland’s diplomatic and consular network is comparatively modest in size and includes 56 Embassies, 7 multilateral Missions and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (19 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 64 together. I can confirm that since 1 January 2013 I have received a total of sixteen requests or letters asking me to reopen the Embassy to the Holy See. With regard to the reopening of the Embassy in Teheran, I have received no requests or letters substantially on this topic in 2013.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Service Issues (19 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: In 2012 my Department issued 631,947 passports. We are currently on track for the issuance of a similar number in 2013. Customers applying through the Passport Express service are given a commitment by the Passport Service that ten days from the date of receipt of properly completed applications, a passport will be issued. Last year over 83% (428,000) of all persons applying for their...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (19 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: In ongoing contacts with the British government, most recently at my meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Rt. Hon. Theresa Villiers MP, on 18 December, I continue to stress the importance of both Governments supporting the full implementation of all aspects of the Agreements. I am firmly of the view that an Irish Language Act should be introduced in Northern Ireland. All...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (19 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I have previously put on the record of the Dáil that I support the establishment of a Civic Forum which would provide for a broad range of voices on community relations and stimulate informed public debate in relation to key societal challenges. On my regular visits to Northern Ireland, I continue the practice of engaging with civil society representatives. In my address to the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Council Meetings (19 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I attended the most recent meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in Brussels on 16 December.This was the final scheduled Council meeting of the year. We had a full agenda addressing a wide range of issues. Conclusions were agreed across a number of key policy areas; the full text of these Conclusions may be accessed on the official EU website . In opening the Council meeting, High...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (19 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: It is assumed the Deputy is referring to the Association Agreement which includes a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area between the EU and Ukraine and which was initialled in March 2012 after lengthy negotiations. While important progress was made, Ukraine announced shortly before the Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius last month that it was suspending the preparations to sign the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Freedom of Information Requests (19 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: In 2012, my Department received 136 Freedom of Information requests, twelve of which incurred a Search and Retrieval fee. To date in 2013, 85 requests have been received, and ten have incurred a Search and Retrieval fee.Where Search and Retrieval fees are incurred, requesters have the option to reduce the scope of their request to reduce or eliminate such fees. My Department works with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (19 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008 (the Act). This broadly provides that a person must be an Irish citizen and that his/her identity is known to the Minister for Foreign Affairs before a passport can issue to that person. Section 6(2)(a) and (b) of the Act provides that: “(2) An application for the issue of a passport to a person shall...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Process RIA (19 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Regulatory Impact Assessments are carried out on all legislation as necessary. However, most of the legislation brought forward by my Department does not impact significantly on the regulatory environment and since March 2011 no Regulatory Impact Assessments have been carried out by my Department. I have sponsored two items of legislation - the European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2012 and...