Results 14,681-14,700 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (8 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The UK’s decision to leave the European Union did not change the status of the Good Friday Agreement nor did it alter the existing legal and political obligations of both the Irish and British Governments under the Agreement as they relate to human rights. Specifically, the continuing obligation of the British Government to incorporate the European Convention on Human Rights into...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Commissions of Inquiry (8 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: There are currently no tribunals of inquiry, commissions of inquiry or investigations under way in my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (8 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: First, I wish to restate that the Government condemns in the strongest terms all forms of torture and ill-treatment. The Government strongly believes that the absolute prohibition of torture is one of the cornerstones of the international human rights framework, and all countries are obligated to comply with this unconditional prohibition. No exceptional circumstances may be invoked as a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (7 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Government’s preparations for the upcoming negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU have been extensive. From the outset of our preparations we have been clear about our priorities, which remain: minimising the impact on trade and the economy; protecting the Good Friday Agreement; maintaining the Common Travel Area; and working together with our partners to support...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (7 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 330 and 345 together. It is the firm objective of the Government that Irish citizens will be able to continue to live and work freely in the United Kingdom following the UK’s exit from the EU. Since the referendum in June, my Ministerial colleagues and I have discussed the status of Irish citizens on numerous occasions with our UK counterparts....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (7 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 331 and 335 together. The status of the English language as an official and working language of the EU institutions will not be altered as a result of the UK leaving the EU. Article 342 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides that the rules governing the languages of the EU institutions shall be determined by the Council, acting...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (7 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Government will continue to work with the British Government and the political parties to support the fulfillment of the full promise of the Good Friday Agreement and to advance political stability, reconciliation and economic prosperity in Northern Ireland. The interlocking political institutions of the Good Friday Agreement are at the heart of the Agreement, and are the delivery...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (7 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: In their statements of 29 June and 15 December 2016 the Heads of State or Government of the twenty-seven other Member States of the EU, including the Taoiseach, have been clear that the four freedoms that underpin the Single Market, including the freedom of movement of people, are indivisible and that continued membership of the Single Market would include agreeing to the freedom of movement....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (7 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Since well before the UK referendum of 23 June 2016, the Government, its diplomatic missions and state agencies have engaged with influential Irish people in the UK and elsewhere. The input and ideas gained from these contacts is of great value as we respond to the UK exit from the European Union. This includes helpful analysis and guidance on both the challenges and opportunities involved,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (7 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Government’s priority is to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement and the overall balance of the settlement is not in any way disturbed by the UK’s exit from the European Union. The legal and political obligations of both the Irish and British Governments under the Good Friday Agreement remain unchanged, regardless of the status of the UK within the EU. The Taoiseach and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (7 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: At the meeting on 15 December 2016 of 27 Heads of State or Government (HoSG), including the Taoiseach, agreement was reached on the procedural arrangements to apply on the EU side in the upcoming negotiations process. These are based on the provisions of Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. Following notification by the UK Government, the EU27 HoSG will adopt guidelines defining the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (7 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union provides the legal framework for withdrawal by a Member State from the EU. It provides that agreement between the EU and the UK on British withdrawal has to be concluded within two years, unless there is unanimous agreement on the extension of the period. If after the two year negotiation period an EU-UK agreement has not been reached, the UK will...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Immigration Controls (7 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 339, 343, and 349 to 352, inclusive, together. Regarding the Executive Order signed by President Trump on 27 January, 2017, and as made clear in my statement on 29 January, I fully share the concerns on humanitarian grounds expressed by other EU partners regarding this development. The US cannot suspend its obligations under the Geneva Convention by means...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (7 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I discussed legacy issues with the Secretary of State when we met in Dublin on 30 January. This discussion included reference to the Secretary of State’s opinion editorial in the Sunday Telegraph in relation to legacy investigations. I have consistently made clear that the rule of law, including the requirement for effective investigations of unlawful killings, irrespective of who...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (7 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the recent tragic deaths which have occurred at the Moria refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos to which the Deputy refers. The situation on the ground in Greece remains extremely challenging with tens of thousands of refugees and migrants dispersed across the country in several sites on the mainland and islands. The situation has been exacerbated in recent months by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Israeli Settlements (7 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland contributed to the compilation of the report in question, and the developments and observations contained in it underpin the continued emphasis we have placed on settlement and other issues affecting the lives of Palestinians in East Jerusalem and elsewhere. The purpose of these reports is to act as a basis for policy discussion within the EU, and in general it is not helpful to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Child Abduction (7 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am very much aware of this particularly distressing parental child abduction case. Regrettably, my Department’s consular team and our Embassies are being called on to deal with an increasing number of cases involving parental abduction of minors across international borders. These cases are particularly difficult and complex where, as in this particular case, the country to which...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: North-South Implementation Bodies (7 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The All-Island Civic Dialogue Process is an ongoing series of engagements at both sectoral and plenary level, with the next plenary meeting scheduled for 17 February. As was the case at the first plenary meeting on 2 November 2016, the Government’s policy for these engagements has been to ensure appropriate and proportionate representation by political parties from across the island....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Acht na Gaeilge (7 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Tá roinnt eilimintí de Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta agus Chomhaontú Chill Rímhinn nach bhfuil curtha i bhfeidhm go hiomlán go fóill, iad siúd a bhaineann le hAcht Teanga ina measc. Is é seasamh daingean an Rialtais ná go gcaithfidh Comhaontú Aoine an Chéasta agus na Comhaontuithe comharba a bheith curtha i bhfeidhm ina...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (2 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: It is the firm objective of the Government that Irish citizens will be able to continue to live and work freely in the United Kingdom following the UK’s exit from the EU. A central element in achieving this objective will be the continuation of the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangements between Ireland and the UK. At their meeting in Dublin earlier this week, at which I...