Results 161-180 of 6,685 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (10 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Passport demand in Ireland is seasonal. Almost 50% of all passport applications are received in the four months April –July. To meet these seasonal pressures the Passport Service has recruited and trained 157 temporary clerical officers.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Responsibilities (10 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 1977 provides for the delegation of statutory Ministerial powers and duties to Ministers of State. This may be done at the request of the Minister concerned, by Government Order. The relatively modest statutory powers of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade relate to consular, passport and other technical matters and it has never...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (10 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland has repeatedly drawn attention to concerns with regard to the treatment of Palestinian prisoners, both directly with the Israeli authorities, and in discussions at EU or UN level. The excessive use of administrative detention has been criticized by the EU on a number of occasions in recent years, and I have also spelt out my concerns about the practice, including here in the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Staff (5 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government, on foot of proposals made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, nominates officers to Heads of Mission posts, including to positions as Consuls General. The nominated Consuls General are career civil servants and are subject to the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour and the Ethics in Public Office Acts. Every Honorary Consul must agree to be supervised...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (5 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I wish to inform the Deputy that there is no financial assistance available from this Department in such circumstances. This Department advises the Irish citizen to speak directly with their insurance company on this matter. Also Irish citizens working abroad may have earned an entitlement to assistance under the host country’s social security system. The person can check what is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (5 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I condemn the brutal killing of Farzana Parveen, in Pakistan on Tuesday 27 May, as I condemn all such so-called “honour killings”. My Department has consulted with the Pakistani authorities and based on these contacts, it appears that the authorities in Pakistan are taking measures to bring those responsible to justice. We understand two separate investigations have been...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (5 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: On 29 May 2014, I met with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers in Dublin.We discussed developments in the Northern Ireland Party Leaders’ talks. We agreed that the coming weeks will be a crucial period in ensuring progress. The Secretary of State and I encouraged Party Leaders to do everything possible to take these matters forward. At our meeting we expressed...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (5 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 to 29, inclusive, together. The Good Friday and St Andrews Agreements are essential to the achievement of reconciliation and mutual trust in Northern Ireland and in the totality of relations between these islands. I continue to stress the importance of progressing implementation of all outstanding aspects of the Agreements in my ongoing contacts with the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (5 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The 40thanniversary of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings on 17 May was a reminder to us all of the painful legacy of that terrible day, and of the questions that remain unanswered. On 6 May, I met with survivors and families of the victims of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings and with Justice for the Forgottenand confirmed the Government’s ongoing support for their campaign. At that meeting, I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Representations (4 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I wish to inform the Deputy that I have raised my concerns at this individual’s continued detention without trial with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Nabil Fahmy, on 11 November and 23 December 2013. In addition, the Embassy of Ireland in Cairo has been in sustained and direct contact with the Egyptian authorities in relation to this case. Our Ambassador Isolde Moylan and her...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (4 Jun 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: Human Rights Issues (28 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Human rights have been a priority of successive Irish governments, and are a key dimension of our foreign policy. Ireland works bilaterally and through the EU and UN to ensure that human rights are respected in Myanmar/Burma. Earlier this month, EU Foreign Ministers approved the establishment of a formal EU-Myanmar Human Rights Dialogue. The first such Dialogue took place in Myanmar on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (28 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 20 together. As noted in a previous reply, this is an issue to which I accord a very high priority. I am conscious of the difficulties experienced by Irish citizens who are undocumented in the United States, and 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (28 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 26 together. I refer the Deputies to my earlier reply to Priority Question No 3. I also refer the Deputies to the written answers I gave yesterday to Questions Nos. 55 and 64 in relation to these matters. If the Deputies wish I can repeat my answer to that question: Policing, prisons and overall criminal justice policy have been the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: In June 2013 the Passport Office in Molesworth Street moved to a service whereby customers book, via a simple web based system, guaranteed time slots before travelling into the office. The public have responded very well to this new arrangement and in particular are very welcoming of the fact that the many hours previously spent queuing in the office has been eliminated. Customers are now...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (28 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The Government remains deeply concerned about the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and has emphasised the importance of seeking a negotiated political settlement. Let me begin by welcoming the holding of Presidential elections in Ukraine on Sunday and the election in the first round of Petro Poroshenko. While there were difficulties in holding the elections in Eastern Ukraine owing to the security...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (28 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 27, 33, 34 and 36 together. I have strongly condemned the abduction by the terrorist organisation, Boko Haram, of more than 200 schoolgirls from the northern Nigerian town of Chibok on 14 April. I am also appalled by the reported abduction of a further 11 girls on 4 May. Through our development policies and programmes, Ireland is a strong supporter of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (28 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I would like to assure the Deputy that Quality Customer Service is a priority for my Department and for all our offices, at home and abroad. My Department does receive a small number of complaints from members of the public concerning the services provided by our 70-plus embassies and consulates abroad. All complaints are investigated and a response is issued as soon as possible. Where...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (28 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I am aware of the report in question, which details a number of disturbing practices in relation to detention of Palestinian children. The report indicates a 2% rise in cases of minors held in solitary confinement, which is clearly unwelcome. Children in custody should be allowed to be accompanied by adult family members. I have paid particular attention to the incidence and conditions of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Representations (28 May 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I wish to inform the Deputy that I have raised my concerns at this continued detention without trial with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Nabil Fahmy, on 11 November and 23 December 2013. The Embassy of Ireland in Cairo has been in sustained and direct contact with the Egyptian authorities in relation to the case. Our Ambassador Isolde Moylan and her colleagues in Egypt have met with senior...