Results 601-620 of 6,679 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (3 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: In 2013, 23 officials of my Department received the cost of membership of professional bodies related to their professional and technical qualifications necessary for the conduct of their duties. The total cost of this to my Department was €7,870.22 for 2013 (to date), which would be an indicative annual figure. The cost of membership of certain local organisations/bodies may also be...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (3 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: As part of their professional development, staff of my Department who undertake qualifying third level courses in their own time may receive financial assistance under the terms of the Refund of Fees Scheme, which is sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade strongly encourages and supports its staff in this regard, particularly...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy Review (3 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I initiated a review of Ireland’s foreign policy and external relations on 8 October 2013. The purpose of the review is to provide an updated statement of Ireland’s foreign policy and to identify a series of recommendations for its conduct, with a view to ensuring that the Government is equipped with the right mix of policies and instruments to promote Ireland’s values...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Missions Data (3 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: In some circumstances there are commercial sensitivities surrounding the publication of the information requested by the Deputy. Many of the companies met during St. Patrick’s Day visits are either potential investors in Ireland or prospective commercial partners of Irish companies in a particular market. Releasing the names of such companies could potentially compromise their position...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Funding (3 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Support for the development of Ireland’s artistic talent, including in the field of music, is primarily a matter for the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, to whom I understand the Deputy has tabled an identical question. My Department does not administer any funding or bursary schemes to support music students studying overseas. I would add that the Ireland-United States...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Representations (3 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: As I have stated previously, the Irish Embassy in Brussels has been closely following developments in relation to this case. As the Deputy will be aware, the company has engaged the services of a French-based agency to act on its behalf in relation to the claims submitted to the Belgian Customs for reimbursement of excise duties paid in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. I am pleased to note that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (3 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I have consistently called for the end of all restrictions on normal movement in and out of Gaza, and will continue to do so. Ireland is very much to the fore in raising concerns with our European partners on the restrictive measures on access and movement imposed on Gaza by Israel and Egypt and pressing for strong EU action to improve the situation within the Territory. There has been some...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Missions Data (3 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy will be aware, Enterprise Ireland is the Government agency responsible for the development and internationalisation of Irish enterprises. Each year, Enterprise Ireland organises a series of targeted, international, Ministerial-led trade missions. The participation by Irish companies in those missions is organised by Enterprise Ireland. I am informed that Enterprise Ireland takes...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (3 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: 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 serious allegations of collusion by the security forces in each...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (3 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together. I issued a strong statement on behalf of the government following the attempted bomb attack in Belfast's Victoria Street on Sunday 24 November, calling on the public to share any information relevant to the investigation with the PSNI. I know that I speak for all members of the Oireachtas in our repudiation of such incidents. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (3 Dec 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: This issue is raised in high level meetings with our British counterparts on an ongoing basis. Most recently, on 13 November last, I met in London with British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. Our discussions covered a range of issues including Britain's future in Europe. I outlined to him our strong view that the UK is better off within the European Union and that the Union is stronger...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (28 Nov 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Good Friday Agreement recognizes the need to define rights, supplementary to those in the European Convention on Human Rights, to reflect the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland. A Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland would ensure that these rights are given a legislative base. I have made my views on this clear to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and will continue to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (28 Nov 2013)

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 ongoing Panel of Parties Talks have stimulated a welcome discussion on these issues with the engagement...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (28 Nov 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: We are regularly reminded of the devastation that the conflict wrought on families and communities. Most recently, allegations of collusion and the murders described in Anne Cadwallader’s book Lethal Allies, the BBC and RTÉ documentary on ‘The Disappeared’, allegations of shoot-to-kill by the undercover Military Reaction Force and the anniversaries of the Shankill...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (27 Nov 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I have noted with interest the Asia Floor Wage campaign which has been initiated by a civil society and trade union movement alliance. I am aware that there are many countries where labour rights are poor or non-existent. Ireland’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights is a fundamental feature of our foreign policy. Under Ireland’s new policy for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Banking (26 Nov 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The value of services provided to the public by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that was accepted by means of credit and debit card in the course of 2012 was €6.14 m. The additional charge that applied to credit card charges under the merchant agreement in operation in 2012 was 1.29%. There was no charge on debit cards. The total value of the additional charge was...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Training (26 Nov 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 137 together. My Department attaches a high priority to language proficiency and it is regarded as an important skill in an officer’s career development and the conduct of their duties. The objectives of my Department’s approach to language training are: to equip diplomatic officers with the language skills necessary to carry out their...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (26 Nov 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The aims of the EU’s Eastern Partnership are to provide a coherent framework for cooperation with the six countries in the EU’s Eastern neighbourhood: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. Ireland supports the aims of the Eastern Partnership and looks forward to the Summit as a significant step forward in the EU’s relationship with these countries. I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (26 Nov 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: As this is a bilateral consular issue between the US and the Cuban authorities, the Government has no standing in the matter.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (26 Nov 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) provides funding to not-for-profit organisations and projects to support Irish communities overseas and to facilitate the development of more strategic links between Ireland and the global Irish. The focus of the Emigrant Support Programme is on initiatives that: address the needs of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable Irish emigrants; enhance access for...