Eamon Gilmore is an Irish Labour Party politician who serves as European Union Special Representative for Human Rights since February 2019. He previously served as European Union Special Envoy for the Colombian Peace Process from 2015, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade from 2011 to 2014, Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 to 2014, Chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe from 2012 to 2013, Minister of State at the Department of the Marine from 1994 to 1997. He was a Teachta Dála for the Dún Laoghaire constituency from 1989 to 2016.At the 2011 general election he led the Labour Party to its best electoral performance, with a record 37 Dáil seats. Labour entered into a coalition government with Fine Gael, with Gilmore being appointed Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.
As Minister for Foreign Affairs he led Ireland's seventh presidency of the European Council during the first half of 2013, and took on the role of chief negotiator for the Council in talks with the European Parliament on a €960 billion EU budget for the period 2014–2020. Throughout 2012, he held the role of Chairperson-In-Office of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe .Born in County Galway, Gilmore graduated from University College Galway, becoming President of the Union of Students in Ireland. Later, he entered local politics and worked as a trade union organiser. As a Democratic Left TD, he helped to negotiate that party's merger with Labour. He was beaten by his colleague Pat Rabbitte in Labour's 2002 leadership election, following which he was appointed as the party's Environment, Housing and Local Government spokesperson. Gilmore was elected unopposed as Labour Party leader in 2007; he resigned the post in July 2014, and was succeeded by Joan Burton.
Wikipedia
“That debate is over and the referendum has delivered a result.”
Gilmore following the rejection of the first Lisbon Treaty referendum by the Irish people. Sunday Independent http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/gene-kerrigan/gene-kerrigan-gilmore-hasnt-a-shred-of-credibility-left-2666664.html
“Running around like a blue-behind bluebottle waving slogans.”
Slogan waver Eamon Gilmore on Richard Boyd Barrett's suggestion that the government's 12.5 per cent corporation tax is not being effectively implemented. The Irish Times http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/1129/breaking31.html
“It's Labour's way or Frankfurt's way.”
Gilmore's infamous election campaign slogan. The Irish Times http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0416/1224314764022.html
Gilmore indignantly dismissing criticism of “sharp corrupt practice” by Health Minister James Reilly from Mary Lou McDonald in the Dáil. Irish Independent http://www.independent.ie/national-news/how-many-bodies-are-buried-on-this-island-because-of-sinn-fein-gilmore-taunts-mcdonald-in-dail-spat-3332746.html
Gilmore in public after the first Lisbon Treaty referendum. Sunday Independent http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/gene-kerrigan/gene-kerrigan-gilmore-hasnt-a-shred-of-credibility-left-2666664.html
