Results 14,741-14,760 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: We will continue to encourage other states to join and ensure there can be an international consensus on a ban on cluster bombs. There are now 119 states and there are others which could be encouraged to join them. I underline that those states which are party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, CCM - as Ireland has been for some time and as has its neighbour, the United Kingdom - will...

Other Questions: EU Agreements (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The European Commission set out a new results-oriented concept of co-operation with third countries on 7 June 2016, known as the migration partnership framework. Draft migration compacts were drawn up for the first five priority countries identified: Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Senegal and Ethiopia. The objective of these migration compacts is to: improve co-operation on readmission and return...

Other Questions: Military Aircraft Landings (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am satisfied that when these requests are received by my Department, the regulations are fully complied with and the law is adhered to. Our focus is on ensuring that the information sought and provided regarding flights and aircraft fully demonstrated full compliance with the conditions as applicable. I can point to matters such as the times at which the landings take place. These are...

Other Questions: Military Aircraft Landings (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: -----are strict and robust and that the information we seek-----

Other Questions: Military Aircraft Landings (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: -----is supplied accordingly.

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 62 together. I assure the Deputies that I have taken careful note of recent reports of the use of cluster munitions, including their use in Yemen. These well-documented reports of the use of cluster munitions by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen are a cause of deep concern. Ireland's concern has been expressed by my officials at the sixth meeting...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I share the Deputy's concern about the harm to civilians caused by the use of explosive weapons with wide-area impacts in populated areas in recent times, particularly in Yemen. Ireland is engaged with other states and civil society on approaches to establish strict compliance with international obligations on this issue. Ireland will continue to play a leading role in this regard, and I...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy is right that there have been contacts between senior officials of both Governments over recent times to explore whether a response to the Dáil motion that would be mutually acceptable to both sides can be found. As Minister, I continue to engage with the Secretary of State and with the Northern Ireland parties to ensure we can proceed to report progress on the wider legacy...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I do not envisage the Brexit negotiations will impact directly on issues pertaining to the Stormont House Agreement in respect of the setting up of the legacy institutions. However, I would point out that there is an election in Northern Ireland. I urge all the parties involved in that campaign to ensure nothing is said in the course of the campaign that might make more difficult the...

Other Questions: Military Aircraft Landings (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 86 together. The Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952, made under the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1946, gives the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade primary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland. As the Deputy will be aware, permission must be sought in advance for landings...

Other Questions: Military Aircraft Landings (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Our monitoring is robust. I reiterate that my Department at all times has thorough and robust procedures in place with a view towards ensuring the laid down legal conditions for securing permission for foreign military aircraft to overfly or to land in this State are clearly understood and properly applied. These procedures are kept under review. My responsibility as Minister for Foreign...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Irish Prisoners Abroad (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I repeat to the House, as I have on a number of occasions over the past two years, that this consular case continues to be a top priority for the Government and substantial resources and time are being devoted to it not only be me but by the Taoiseach, officials in my Department and the Taoiseach's Department, by our ambassador and his team in Cairo and by the entire diplomatic network. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Irish Prisoners Abroad (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I will again make it clear that the Egyptian Government is in absolutely no doubt about the position of the Irish Government. The Taoiseach has made our views absolutely clear and it was interesting that the response of President el-Sisi to members of the delegation was the same response that was received by the Taoiseach following his intercession and contact with President el-Sisi. That...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. The House will be aware that dealing with the legacy of the past relating to the conflict in Northern Ireland is a major priority for me as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and for my Government colleagues. This commitment is reflected in the Programme for a Partnership Government, which makes specific reference to pursuing the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The controversy concerning the substance of the RHI scheme is a matter solely and exclusively for the devolved institutions, and not something on which I or the Government would comment. As stated previously, I regret the circumstances which led to the decision of the deputy First Minister to resign from office. I acknowledge his contribution and leadership over the past decade within the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I regularly discuss the political situation in Northern Ireland with the Secretary of State. I have discussed the current instability with reference to the issues raised as recently as late last week. It is important that the conduct of the elections is such that all parties ultimately elected to the assembly have a responsibility towards establishing a working Executive in accordance with...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I had a constructive face-to-face meeting with the British Secretary of State late last week and I intend to meet him early next week. I remind the Deputy that in the 2014 Stormont House Agreement, the Government and the British Government, recalling the commitments from previous agreements, endorsed the need for respect for and recognition of the Irish language in Northern Ireland. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: During recent months, I have had the opportunity to speak directly with all of my EU colleagues. There have been a number of personnel changes since then and I have arranged a number of meetings for the next few weeks in those cases. I am encouraged by the manner in which the Irish concerns have been received across the EU. I am encouraged at the appreciation, acknowledgement and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I remind the Deputy that negotiations have not yet commenced. To look for the end of the story before the negotiations have even commenced is probably somewhat ambitious. I welcome what Commissioner Barnier said, when he clearly indicated his understanding of the position on the island of Ireland and, furthermore, that he is anxious that this position be "defended". I also welcome what...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I agree with the importance of the points the Deputy has stressed. I assure him and the House that the issues will be fundamental in the context of Ireland's position. I listened to Prime Minister May's speech. 4 o’clock While the Deputy refers to certain aspects of the speech, it is important that we keep it in context. In her Lancaster House address, she said:We cannot forget...