Results 20,681-20,700 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Implementation of the Recommendations of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Discussion (26 Sep 2023)

Charles Flanagan: -----in the circumstances. I ask the Secretary General and Chief of Staff to respond to the remaining questions from Deputy Cronin, Senator Wilson and Deputy Berry.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Implementation of the Recommendations of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Discussion (26 Sep 2023)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy likes comprehensive replies, so they can be given to him in writing. We are coming towards the end.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Implementation of the Recommendations of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Discussion (26 Sep 2023)

Charles Flanagan: If Deputy Cronin is happy with that, I will move towards a conclusion. On behalf of the joint committee and on my own behalf, I thank all of the witnesses for meeting with us this afternoon and for the manner in which they dealt with the questions from members. I thank the Secretary General, Ms McCrum, and the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Clancy, whose contributions on the questions...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Implementation of the Recommendations of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Discussion (26 Sep 2023)

Charles Flanagan: That is fine. I was going to suggest that the Deputies co-operate, with Deputy Carthy asking a question on behalf of Deputy Cronin if necessary. I will invite Deputy Carthy to speak first and we will see how we are then in terms of Deputy Cronin's time. I am also conscious that I have already indicated to Deputy Stanton that I would give him priority on foot of the issue he raised earlier....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (26 Sep 2023)

Charles Flanagan: 99. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline Ireland's position on the need to reopen the Lachin corridor route between Nagorno- Karabach and Armenia; if Ireland would raise the issue directly with our European partners and the United Nations, with a view towards ensuring through passage by means of humanitarian corridors; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (26 Sep 2023)

Charles Flanagan: 402. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update on the provision of a domestic violence refuge in County Laois; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41105/23]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (26 Sep 2023)

Charles Flanagan: 403. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update on the provision of a domestic violence refuge in County Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41106/23]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Home Care Packages (26 Sep 2023)

Charles Flanagan: 537. To ask the Minister for Health when HSE-contracted home care visit staff in Laois and Offaly will resume evening and weekend hours to ensure that a full complement of service is available to patients and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41100/23]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Current Issues Facing Members of the Defence Forces: Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (3 Oct 2023)

Charles Flanagan: I have received apologies from Senators Wilson and Ó Donnghaile. From the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers, RACO, we welcome Lieutenant Colonel Conor King, who, as general secretary, is no stranger to this committee, Commandant Martin Ryan, Commandant Amy Colclough, Lieutenant Commander Cian O’Mearáin and Captain Jamie Bray. They are all very welcome. We...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Current Issues Facing Members of the Defence Forces: Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (3 Oct 2023)

Charles Flanagan: Unfortunately, there is that clash for members. Deputy Carthy has advised me of his inability to remain for the entirety of the meeting. We will be flexible to ensure everybody has an opportunity to engage on this. I remind witnesses and members of the long-standing parliamentary practice that we should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Current Issues Facing Members of the Defence Forces: Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (3 Oct 2023)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Lieutenant Colonel King. During the course of his presentation, I was recalling that it has been less than two years since he was last with us, in 2021. On that occasion, we were seeing the completion of the commission's work. While his presentation pointed to some of the realities, I felt there was a sense of optimism. Unfortunately, I do not get that sense today. Lieutenant...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Current Issues Facing Members of the Defence Forces: Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (3 Oct 2023)

Charles Flanagan: I might call on Lieutenant Colonel King to deal with these issues now rather than take contributions from other members because Senator Craughwell has to leave.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Current Issues Facing Members of the Defence Forces: Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (3 Oct 2023)

Charles Flanagan: Similar to Senator Craughwell, on the basis that Deputy Carthy indicated he needs to be in the Chamber, I will not move on to any further member until the Deputy’s queries and questions have been dealt with.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Current Issues Facing Members of the Defence Forces: Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (3 Oct 2023)

Charles Flanagan: That is fine. Even better.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Current Issues Facing Members of the Defence Forces: Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (3 Oct 2023)

Charles Flanagan: Will Deputy Carthy leave it there for the moment?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Current Issues Facing Members of the Defence Forces: Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (3 Oct 2023)

Charles Flanagan: There is a lot in that. I will briefly add my part before we move into answers. My big concern is the lack of any optimism on the part of our five guests. The big difference between now and the last time we met is the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. I find the level of pessimism and discontent to be quite worrying and before we conclude I would like to hear whether there...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Current Issues Facing Members of the Defence Forces: Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (3 Oct 2023)

Charles Flanagan: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Current Issues Facing Members of the Defence Forces: Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (3 Oct 2023)

Charles Flanagan: I think we are heading towards a conclusion now. The witnesses have dealt with the issues as put forward. It only remains for me to thank them for their frankness, the direct nature of their presentation and their answers. On behalf of the committee, I offer our good wishes to them for the remarkable level of professional service shown last week off our south coast in very difficult and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Current Issues Facing Members of the Defence Forces: Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (3 Oct 2023)

Charles Flanagan: I think we could have a meeting with that group. It was on our agenda in any event but it has taken on a greater level of importance, given there is such a divergence of opinion between, on one hand, what is happening, and on the other hand, what we are hearing.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Current Issues Facing Members of the Defence Forces: Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (3 Oct 2023)

Charles Flanagan: In response to Deputies Berry, Stanton and Carthy and Senator O'Reilly, we will evaluate the issues raised this afternoon. We will apportion responsibility for departmental engagement on those and we will be happy to have a further meeting over the next few weeks. We have the Tánaiste here next week but I think it is on foreign affairs issues. We will have the Tánaiste here to...