Results 3,561-3,580 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Application Fees (24 Sep 2014)

Charles Flanagan: In 2011 the Government found it necessary in light of the budgetary situation to discontinue the arrangement whereby over 65’s could avail of a reduced passport fee. Were the Passport Office to reinstate this reduced fee for those aged 65 and over or for any other category of adult applicants the shortfall would have to be met by the taxpayer. The cost of exempting those aged 65 and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Neutrality (24 Sep 2014)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland’s policy of military neutrality is characterised by non-participation in military alliances. This policy has been underpinned by a set of complementary values which includes the protection of human rights; support for development; and the promotion of disarmament and the elimination of weapons of mass destruction. Arrangements for the overflight and landing of US military...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Scottish Referendum (24 Sep 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The people of Scotland voted on 18 September to remain part of the United Kingdom. Attention is now turning to changes that will take place following the referendum and the plans outlined by Prime Minister Cameron on wider UK constitutional issues. While a timetable and some broad principles have been outlined, the precise details of the changes are still to be clarified. I am in ongoing...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Membership (24 Sep 2014)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland and the UK have strong historical, cultural, political and economic ties. Working together within the European Union for over more than forty years has further strengthened and deepened those links. While no two member states have identical positions across all policy areas, we share common interests with the UK on many issues of major importance.The Irish government wants to see the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Citizenship Applications (25 Sep 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The application for citizenship through Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) was received in the Consular Division of my Department on 25 August 2014. Applications for FBR submitted in Ireland can take up to 3 months to process. The applicant was informed in writing on 16 September that the application is incomplete.The applicant has been notified of the additional documentation that must be...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Rehiring (25 Sep 2014)

Charles Flanagan: My Department consulted with the Civil Service Occupational Health Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on this case. The decision was communicated directly to the officer in May 2014 and again in August 2014 following receipt of further correspondence from the officer.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (30 Sep 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The Free Trade agreement between the European Union and its member states on the one part and the Republic of Colombia and the Republic of Peru on the other is an agreement within the meaning of Article 29.5.2° of the Constitution. Ratification by Ireland is therefore subject to prior approval of the Dáil. My colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Agencies (30 Sep 2014)

Charles Flanagan: There are no State agencies, bodies or organisations under the aegis of my Department. There are seven ad hoc advisory groups/committees to which I make appointments. These are: the Emigrant Services Advisory Committee; the Advisory Group of the Global Irish Network; the Irish Aid Expert Advisory Group; the NGO Standing Committee on Human Rights; the Standing Committee on Holocaust Education,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (1 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: For children born in Ireland on or after 1 January 2005, entitlement to an Irish passport is governed by the terms of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended (the Act). Section 6A provides that persons born in the State on or after 1 January 2005, where neither parent is Irish or British citizen or otherwise entitled to reside in the State or Northern Ireland without...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (1 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: My Department is not aware of any issue with the passport in question. The Deputy, or applicant, may wish to contact the Passport Service, (Ms. Fiona Penollar, Head of the Molesworth Street Passport Office) to discuss the specifics of this individual case.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Budgets (1 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: My Department comprises two separate votes, Vote 28 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vote 27 International Co-operation. VOTE 28 BUDGET and EXPENDITURE REPORT 2011 2011 2012 2012 2013 2013 2014 2014 Annual Actual Annual Actual Annual Actual Annual Month 8 ADMINISTRATION EXPENDITURE Budget Budget Budget Budget Actual €k €k €k €k €k...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: North South Ministerial Council (1 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The agenda for the upcoming meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in plenary format has still to be agreed with the Northern Ireland administration. However, it is customary at these meetings for Ministers to review work undertaken in the areas of North South cooperation, including by the North-South Bodies, since the preceding plenary meeting. It is likely that discussions...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Internships (1 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The government is committed to developing Irish engagement in international conflict resolution as an important dimension of Irish foreign policy. To support this objective, a paid internship has been in place in my Department’s Conflict Resolution Unit since it was established. The internship, lasting 11-months, is designed to give a graduate in this area an opportunity to gain...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (1 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 141, 142 and 143 together. A number of elements of the Good Friday Agreement and St Andrews Agreement have not yet been fully implemented. Among these are the establishment of a North South Consultative Forum, a Bill of Rights and an Irish Language Act. The Government’s firm position is that these Agreements must be implemented in full. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: North-South Implementation Bodies (1 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The first part of the St Andrew’s Agreement Review is now largely completed. This involved examining the Bodies in terms of efficiency and value for money. Part two of the Review involved expanding the areas of North South cooperation and, in line with the decision at the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) Plenary meeting in November 2013, Ministers North and South have been...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Resolutions (1 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: UN Security Council Resolution 2178 (2014) on foreign terrorist fighters was adopted unanimously in New York on 24 September 2014. Ireland co-sponsored the Resolution along with 103 other States, including all other EU member states. This Resolution takes a comprehensive, human rights compliant approach to tackling the foreign fighters problem in accordance with international law. It...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Appointments to State Boards (2 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: There are no State Boards under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (2 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I visited New York, Washington D.C. and Boston over the period from 23 September to 1 October. While there I had a wide range of meetings covering UN issues as well as bilateral and community matters. On US. immigration reform, which remains a key Government priority, I met with both Irish community groups and high level government contacts. My programme included discussions with Vice...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Issues (2 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: In the course of my recent visit to New York for the General Assembly of the United Nations I had the opportunity to meet the Secretary General of the Organisation, His Excellency Ban Ki Moon. The Secretary General was accompanied by senior Irish staff from the United Nations Secretariat. Among the issues we discussed were UN peacekeeping, the current conflicts in the Middle East, the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (2 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The Government has consistently raised the issue of the need to establish an independent review into the Ballymurphy cases, both at the level of the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Government issued statements expressing disappointment at the decision of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 29 April 2014 not to appoint a Hillsborough-style panel to...