Results 121-140 of 6,684 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (26 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I visited Washington D.C. over the period 17-19 June for various meetings in relation to U.S. immigration reform, which remains a key Government priority. My programme included separate discussions with Cong. Luis Gutierrez, Cong. Paul Ryan, Senator Pat Leahy, members of the Congressional Friends of Ireland Group, House Judiciary Committee Member Cong. Mark Amodei, Cong. Mario Diaz-Balart,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (26 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: As the Deputy will be aware I attended the most recent meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in Luxembourg on Monday 23 June. The agenda was a very busy one with discussions dominated in the main by the latest events in Ukraine and developments in the EU's Southern Neighbourhood, notably Iraq and Libya; a number of other items were addressed at the end of the Council meeting. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (25 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I remain deeply concerned about allegations of human rights abuses in Western Sahara and detention conditions for Saharawi prisoners in Morocco. I am aware that a number of Saharawi prisoners have been on hunger strike for various periods over the last number of years in protest at the conditions of their detention. The UN Special Rapporteur for torture and other cruel, inhumane or...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (25 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The principles and values of the Good Friday Agreement and the subsequent St. Andrew’s Agreement are essential to peace and reconciliation in Ireland and across these islands. Their key elements include devolution based on power-sharing; agreement on sovereignty; human rights; parity of esteem; and support for the rule of law. The continued shared responsibility of the two governments...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (25 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The Northern Ireland Party Leaders have individually acknowledged that there is broad agreement among the parties on the basic architecture for moving forward on the issues of flags, parades and dealing with the past. They are continuing to meet, including a meeting that took place on Tuesday, with a view to closing the remaining gaps between them and for developing the practical mechanisms...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (25 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: In the Good Friday Agreement the parties affirmed their commitment to the mutual respect, the civil rights and the religious liberties of everyone in the community. As one of the key underlying values of the Agreement, respect for human rights remains a priority for this Government and is fundamental to informing our approach to furthering peace and reconciliation, and to supporting effective...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (25 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Across a range of issues, relations between Britain and Ireland are of central importance. Both the UK government and the Scottish government are important and valued partners for Ireland. In each case the relationship is based on close geographic, cultural and commercial ties, as well as friendly political relationships. We maintain regular contacts with the Scottish Government. In...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (24 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Under Dr Haass’ chairmanship of the Panel of Parties talks, the Northern Ireland parties made enormous progress in seeking an agreed approach to dealing with flags, parades and the past. Richard Haass and Meghan O’Sullivan consulted widely across society in Northern Ireland last year and brought to the table a clear message from the people that they want to see the party...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Marching Season (24 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I maintain regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers MP, about the current situation in Northern Ireland, including contentious marches and the overall parades issue. My officials in the British Irish Joint Secretariat in Belfast closely monitor the situation on the ground and maintain regular contacts with political and community leaders who work to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (24 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The replacement of the Royal Ulster Constabulary by the Police Service of Northern Ireland in 2001 as recommended by the Patten report marked a new beginning for policing and for public confidence in policing in Northern Ireland. As part of that transformation in policing, accountability mechanisms are in place for the Service, including the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (24 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: As requested, I am providing the Deputy with a list of international agreements which Ireland has signed but not ratified. The list has been prepared according to the information available to my Department and aims to be as comprehensive as possible. There are 83 agreements on the list: 20 Multilateral agreements for which the UN Secretary General is the depositary; 16 Council of Europe...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (24 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I raised my concerns regarding this individual with the EU High Representative, Catherine Ashton, Catherine Ashton, as recently as yesterday at the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg. I have also raised my concerns at this individual’s continued detention without trial with the then Egyptian Foreign Minister, Nabil Fahmy, on 11 November and 23 December 2013. I followed up these...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Residency Permits (24 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: My Department works in close cooperation with other Departments to help promote Ireland as a provider of English language studies for foreign students and generally to encourage closer education links with other countries. However, the question of entry into Ireland, and the criteria used to assess individual cases, are ultimately matters for the Minister for Justice and Equality.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Magdalen Laundries (24 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The Ambassador of Ireland to the Holy See has discussed this matter with Holy See officials on a number of occasions. A written communication has also been sent via diplomatic channels to which a response is understood to be forthcoming.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Disaster Response (24 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: On 22 April I wrote to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Yun Byung-Se, to convey, on behalf of the Government and people of Ireland, our deepest sympathy to the injured and bereaved following the sinking of the Sewol ferry on 16 April. I also emphasised that the people of Ireland had been deeply moved by reports of those affected by the disaster, and by the heroic...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Common Travel Area (19 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: This question touches on some issues that are not within this Department’s remit, however I can confirm that there is no requirement to present a passport for travel within the common travel area. However, I am aware that at least one airline requires a passport, not for travel within the common travel area, but rather as the only approved means of establishing the identity of Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (18 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: For the period in question, six settlements containing “confidentiality clauses” were entered into by my Department. As it was not possible, in the time available, to obtain legal advice on what information we can release in respect of these agreements, I am unable to provide an individual breakdown by year but I can confirm that the total cost of the six settlements was...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (18 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Last week, I launched the 2014-2017 Strategy for the Reconciliation Fund. The Strategy prioritises the further implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, and the Agreements which flowed from it, through community, academic and advocacy work. Currently about 150 organisations per year are awarded funding for project work. The new strategy also makes provision to develop a new multiannual...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Appointments to State Boards (18 Jun 2014)

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

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (18 Jun 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Ireland enjoys excellent bilateral relations with Cuba. Diplomatic relations were established between our two countries in 1999, and bilateral engagement has increased steadily in the period since then.In 2013, bilateral trade in goods with Cuba reached €1.35 million, an increase from the figure of €1.2 million in 2012. In keeping with my wish to see relations with Cuba...