Results 21,001-21,020 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (18 Sep 2024)

Charles Flanagan: 118. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a local authority has been instructed not to proceed to tender on a road project (details supplied), which has already been approved in the annual road grant notification, without prior approval of the Transport Infrastructure Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36018/24]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Projects (18 Sep 2024)

Charles Flanagan: 119. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a local authority has been instructed not to proceed to tender on a road project (details supplied), which has already been approved in the annual road grant notification, without prior approval of the Transport Infrastructure Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36019/24]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Capital Expenditure Programme (18 Sep 2024)

Charles Flanagan: 218. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to outline all costs, including planning, preparation, consultants, construction and fit out, relating to a newly constructed building within the precinct of Portlaoise and Midlands prison campus (supplied supplied); and if the Minister with responsibility for the Office of Public Works; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Curriculum (18 Sep 2024)

Charles Flanagan: 287. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills where ultimate responsibility lies for the drafting, preparation, settling and publication of a social, personal and health education curriculum handbook for schools featuring a classroom exercise depicting Irish families (details supplied); and the unit in her Department that had the final say in reaching agreement on and signing off on such...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Charles Flanagan: We have lift-off in the form of a quorum. Our meeting will now commence in public session. I have received apologies from Senator Wilson. I received texts from two Senators to the effect that they are both chairing the Seanad, which is interesting. I am delighted Senator Clonan has joined us to allow us to commence our important meeting with representatives from Dóchas to discuss the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Charles Flanagan: That notwithstanding, I know he will fully comply with our standing orders and meeting regime. I thank Senator Clonan again for allowing us to kick off proceedings. I now call on Ms McKenna to make her opening statement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Charles Flanagan: Thank you very much. I thank the witnesses who are representing four of the leading groups involved in Ireland's humanitarian work overseas, namely Dóchas, Goal, Concern Worldwide and Trócaire. They have presented us with a stark and shocking assessment of life in Sudan currently, after 500 days of conflict, which involves hunger, famine, conflict, bombardment, sexual violence and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Charles Flanagan: I have a few points before we conclude. I acknowledge that all the witnesses primarily, if not exclusively, represent humanitarian organisations and it is often difficult to become involved or, indeed, embroiled in the political situation. It seems, however, that the power struggle along the Red Sea is playing a very important role here. It also seems that the crimes of the RSF appear to be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Charles Flanagan: Are they organised?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Charles Flanagan: How many field workers do we have in the region at present?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Charles Flanagan: The matter of their own safety and protection is itself a big issue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Charles Flanagan: We will come back to the Middle East before we conclude but I do not want to depart from Sudan for the moment.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Charles Flanagan: I do not want our discussion on Sudan to become an attack on Israel. Before we conclude, I will be inviting our guests, in particular Ms Walsh, to speak to us briefly on the current situation in Lebanon. That will address the issue raised by Deputy Cronin. Regarding the point the Deputy has made, if it is applicable to Sudan, I will ask our panel to respond to it. We can leave the Middle...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Charles Flanagan: I know the Tánaiste was also very keen that this issue be discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union, which it has been. I am not sure of the extent to which conclusions meaningful conclusions have been reached. This is a clear role Ireland might have in ensuring the matter of Sudan is continuously placed on the monthly agenda for the Foreign Affairs Council. My...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Charles Flanagan: I am sorry to ask again. It is my fault for not knowing the answer, because I know it has been given. I heard the Tánaiste speak during the summer about the international independent fact-finding mission for Sudan at the human rights council. He was very keen for there to be a renewal. Has that happened? If so, is there a change to the terms of reference? In what form and under...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Charles Flanagan: That will be done in Geneva.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Charles Flanagan: I have a final question. I am sorry if I drew things out for longer than was necessary but we have not had a discussion on Sudan for some time. I was very keen that we would and that the issues would be amplified. There is one area I might ask the witnesses to comment on. The external actors in the region are more than just the neighbours or people looking for land, occupying or invading....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Charles Flanagan: Notwithstanding the disappointment of the United Nations General Assembly, we can still see that the matter has been raised by Ireland. We hope we will have further opportunities in that regard. We are now in October and will have the October meetings of the European Council and the Foreign Affairs Council. It is my understanding that the Taoiseach and Tánaiste will be specifically...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Charles Flanagan: I agree with that comment from the Deputy.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Charles Flanagan: It is staggering.