Results 14,261-14,280 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Diplomatic Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Order for Second Stage (4 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Diplomatic Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Second Stage (4 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to have the opportunity to address the House on Second Stage of the Diplomatic Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill which was published on 5 April. The purpose of the Bill is to enhance the efficiency, efficacy and clarity of various arrangements with respect to the staff of diplomatic missions and international...

Diplomatic Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Second Stage (4 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am sure we can supply it. Another concern with section 49 is that it may be construed as interfering with an international organisation's right to freely appoint its own staff. Only a small number of Irish nationals serve in the State with international organisations covered by the 1967 Act. Furthermore, privileges and immunities enjoyed by officials of international organisations are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad (4 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am very awareof the extremely difficult circumstances in which this individual and his family find themselves. I have personally raised my concerns about the case, and about the health and wellbeing of the individual concerned, with my Philippines counterpart, most recently at the UN in New York last September. My Department officials in Dublin, at and our Embassy in Singapore and at our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Issues (4 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I can confirm that the Interdepartmental Committee on the Irish Abroad met on 30 March 2017 as planned. There was good discussion on the ongoing work of the Committee to address the various barriers that have been reported as facing citizens when returning to live in Ireland. Useful discussions took place on updates provided by relevant Departments on specific issues that have been raised,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (4 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, the Passport Service provides a range of application channels designed to accommodate individual applicants’ circumstances. These channels include online, postal and in-person options. In order for the Passport Service to provide the most effective assistance possible, applicants are advised to select at the outset the channel that best suits their...

Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (Hague Convention) Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee (3 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I can do so but it is regrettable that the Opposition spokespersons are not here now. Had they been here, perhaps we could have dealt with the Bill entirely.

Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (Hague Convention) Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee (3 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence, pursuant to Standing Orders 84A(3)(a) and 149(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business.

Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (Hague Convention) Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputies for their consideration of the Bill and for their contributions to the debate on it. As I said in my initial contribution, while the Bill has a narrow focus and is concerned with the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict, its enactment by the Oireachtas will be a further important demonstration of Ireland's broader support for international...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (3 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of alarming reports by international human rights organisations and in the media of a campaign of abduction, abuse and ill-treatment of men in the Chechen Republic on the basis of their sexual orientation. If confirmed, these actions would amount to serious violations of fundamental human rights. In a statement delivered to the Seanad on my behalf by Minister Helen McEntee on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (3 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am very familiar with the case of the person in question, with his work as a human rights defender, and with his treatment by the Bahraini authorities since June 2016, and indeed before this. My Department has also recently been made aware of his health issues, which have reportedly deteriorated seriously during his most recent incarceration. Ireland attaches a high priority to...

European Council Meeting: Statements (2 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: We did not get a veto as the Spanish did in the case of Gibraltar because the situation is entirely different. We acknowledge that under the Good Friday Agreement, Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. It was voted on by the people of Ireland, North and South, in 1998. We are satisfied that the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland have been fully recognised as part of...

European Council Meeting: Statements (2 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland was anxious from day one that its unique circumstances would be fully recognised in the context of the Good Friday Agreement and the legal and constitutional configuration on the island of Ireland with reference to Northern Ireland and that has been achieved.

European Council Meeting: Statements (2 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: We are satisfied to move forward in the negotiations with that being an important part of the process. On the common travel area-----

European Council Meeting: Statements (2 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: On the common travel area, I take very much the point raised by the Deputy. It is very much welcome that the guidelines provide that existing bilateral arrangements and agreements between the United Kingdom and Ireland which are compatible with EU law should and will be recognised. This will be an issue to dealt with in the negotiations. I am encouraged by a commitment on the part of the...

European Council Meeting: Statements (2 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I will underline the importance of this debate and what Deputies have said about future arrangements. I am anxious that we all work together on this issue. To Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly I say the Government will ensure all parties represented in the House are fully involved in the process. I acknowledge the attendance and contributions of many Members of the House in, for example, the...

European Council Meeting: Statements (2 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The issue of the special status is repeatedly raised by Sinn Féin spokespersons. The object of our engagement, prior to reaching agreement on the guidelines, was that the unique and special circumstances on the island of Ireland would be fully recognised, appreciated and acknowledged by our colleagues. I believe we have achieved that in the context of the guidelines. I have been asked...

European Council Meeting: Statements (2 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I should have referred to that in my previous response. I will deal with it in my response to Deputy Howlin.

European Council Meeting: Statements (2 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Accept the principle of liability.

European Council Meeting: Statements (2 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Notwithstanding the process of the UK withdrawal from the EU, Europe will continue apace-----