Results 81-100 of 6,685 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (2 Jul 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 Congressman Luis Gutierrez, Congressman Paul Ryan, Senator Pat Leahy, members of the Congressional Friends of Ireland Group, House Judiciary Committee Member Congressman Mark Amodei,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Egyptian Conflict (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: In my address to the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade last week I condemned the severe sentences imposed by a court in Cairo on 23 June on a number of Al Jazeera journalists for essentially doing no more than their job. I share the widespread international concern over this verdict, which amounts to the criminalisation of the legitimate activities of a free press. This verdict...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Strand Two of the Good Friday Agreement provided for the establishment of the North/South Ministerial Council and the North/South Implementation Bodies. It also provided that consideration be given to a North/South Consultative Forum and a North/South parliamentary forum.With the establishment in 2012 of the North/South Inter-Parliamentary Association, which is in effect the North/South...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Iraqi Conflict (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to Question no. 9 concerning Iraq, which was as follows:“The dramatically deteriorating situation in Iraq is a matter of very serious concern, both for the Iraqi people and for the international community as a whole. The Al- Qaeda linked islamist militia known as ISIS, with allied Sunni groupings, have captured large parts of northern and western...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Egyptian Conflict (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: In my address to the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade last week I condemned the severe sentences imposed by a court in Cairo on 23 June on a number of Al Jazeera journalists for essentially doing no more than their job. I share the widespread international concern over this verdict, which amounts to the criminalisation of the legitimate activities of a free press. This verdict...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Scottish Referendum (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: This issue of Scottish independence is a matter for decision by the people of Scotland. The Government has adopted a strictly neutral approach to the debate in Scotland and has avoided being drawn into speculation on, or anticipation of, various potential outcomes. Our impartiality should not however be mistaken for indifference or lack of interest. We fully recognise the importance of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (2 Jul 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. These principles have rightly been at the centre of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Iraqi Conflict (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to Question no. 9 concerning Iraq, which was as follows:“The dramatically deteriorating situation in Iraq is a matter of very serious concern, both for the Iraqi people and for the international community as a whole. The Al- Qaeda linked islamist militia known as ISIS, with allied Sunni groupings, have captured large parts of northern and western...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (2 Jul 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 Congressman Luis Gutierrez, Congressman Paul Ryan, Senator Pat Leahy, members of the Congressional Friends of Ireland Group, House Judiciary Committee Member Congressman Mark Amodei,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Global Economic Forum (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: There have been three Global Irish Economic Forums to date; 2009, 2011 and 2013. The first Forum took place in 2009 as a response to the deepening economic crisis at the time. It brought together members of the Diaspora and the Government who were tasked to come up with new and innovative ways to help lift the country out of recession. This first Forum recommended the establishment of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The disappearance of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank on 12 June understandably aroused great public anxiety and concern. I condemned this abduction and called for the urgent release of the three teenagers and their safe return to their families. The finding on Monday of the bodies of the three missing youths has sadly ended all such hopes. I have issued a statement on behalf of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (2 Jul 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. These principles have rightly been at the centre of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukrainian Conflict (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The crisis in Ukraine continues to be a major focus for the EU. At the most recent Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 23 June, which I attended, Ministers were briefed by the new Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Pavlo Klimkin. The Council conclusions reiterated strong condemnation of the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol.The Council decided to prohibit the import into the EU of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: Threats to human rights across the broad Middle East region are numerous and, in many cases, grave. Promoting and enhancing respect for human rights, together with core related principles such as freedom, equality, and the rule of law, form a very important part of the EU’s dialogue and engagement with countries in the region. The right to religious freedom is an area of particular...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I have paid particular attention to the incidence and conditions of detention of Palestinian children. The report referred to provides graphic details of further allegations of practices which are clearly unacceptable. My view is simple: Palestinian children in Israeli custody should be afforded the same rights, protection, and treatment under the law which Israel rightly considers...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I refer the deputy to my reply to Question no. 32 on the same topic, which was as follows:“The disappearance of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank on 12 June understandably aroused great public anxiety and concern. I condemned this abduction and called for the urgent release of the three teenagers and their safe return to their families. The finding on Monday of the bodies of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Parliament Elections (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The recent European Parliament elections confirmed the extent of European citizens’ concern over the continuing effects of the economic crisis across the European Union and the uneven pace of economic recovery. While increased support for eurosceptic parties and, more worryingly, parties with extreme views on some issues, is a cause of considerable concern, that support varies greatly...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 49 together. Direct negotiations between the parties were suspended at the end of April, and there is no immediate prospect of the talks being resumed. The essential issues behind the breakdown were the profound lack of trust between the two sides, insufficient political commitment, particularly by the Israeli government, to reaching an agreement, and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: I remain seriously concerned by the worsening security situation in Nigeria. I have strongly condemned the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls from the northern Nigerian town of Chibok by the terrorist organisation, Boko Haram, on 14 April. I am also appalled by continuing reports of violent attacks, including further abductions, throughout Nigeria. I have given my full support to the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (2 Jul 2014)

Eamon Gilmore: The issue of prisoners has been and is a difficult element of the Middle East Peace Process, as indeed it was in our own case. The release of a number of longer term Palestinian prisoners held by Israel was an element in the arrangements for the recent talks process, and the non-release by Israel of the final group of prisoners was an element in the breakdown of those talks. We have...