Results 3,601-3,620 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will be aware of long-standing practice in that regard. The more he wishes to alarm Members of this House and the Irish community, the more the issue becomes surrounded in hyperbole of a type to which the Deputy is most accustomed. Lest there be any misunderstanding, let me repeat that the use of Shannon Airport by US military is a long-standing practice that has been in place...

Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I assure the Deputy we will follow the practice of successive Governments on this, in accordance with international practice. My Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport are kept fully informed of all developments. In spite of his assertions to the contrary, the Deputy will be aware that the vast majority of the flights in question concern civilians and have no military...

Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: There may be troops but the transit of troops is in accordance with long-established practice.

Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I assure Deputy Wallace that Ireland will continue to use its powers to promote peace and diplomatic relations. As I said in an earlier reply before the Deputy entered the House, Ireland always opts for political, diplomatic and humanitarian aid solutions over military solutions.

Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: It strikes me as extraordinary that Deputy Finian McGrath, the Reform Alliance and Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett appear to be ad idem on this.

Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: Lest there be any misunderstanding, I inform Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett that, in accordance with international best practice, foreign military aircraft passing through Ireland with the permission of the Government are not subject to routine searches or inspections.

Other Questions: Shannon Airport Facilities (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The principle of sovereign immunity applies automatically to foreign state or military aircraft in the same way that it applies to Irish State or military aircraft abroad.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Declarations (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: Last week I was honoured to co-host the High Level International Meeting on Zero Hungerat the UN in New York. The Zero Hunger Challengewas launched by the UN Secretary General in 2012. He set the international community the challenge to achieve an end to global hunger within a generation. There has been significant progress in recent years, but the stark reality remains that over 800 million...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: In recent years the growing polarisation over the nuclear issue, and the isolationism of the Iranian authorities, made it very difficult to discuss or progress issues relating to human rights, civil society, or democratic principles with Iran. Following President Rouhani’s election in August 2013, the new Government in Iran has made some welcome statements on improving the protection...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I recently 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 US-Ireland relations and Irish community matters. While our paths had crossed at the UN in New York, I met bilaterally with both Vice-President Biden and Secretary of State Kerry during my visit to Washington...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (7 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 U.S. 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: Foreign Conflicts (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The growth of extremism and the threat posed by ISIS and other jihadist groups to the people of Syria and Iraq was extensively discussed at the UN General Assembly which I attended last week. As I made clear in my address to the General Assembly, there can be no complacency within the international community about the threat which ISIS and other extremists represent or about the need for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the recent resolution at the IAEA General Conference to which the Deputy refers. Efforts have been continuing since the 2010 Review Conference to organise a Conference on a Weapons of Mass Destruction-free zone, including nuclear weapons, in the Middle East It has been our opinion - and the opinion of all other EU Member States - that there is still reason to believe that this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Passports (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland supports Hong Kong’s Basic Law protections of internationally recognised fundamental freedoms, including freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. We encourage all parties to refrain from any actions that may escalate tensions, and to express views on the SAR’s political future in a peaceful manner. We further encourage all parties to work for a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Strategy (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The Government Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy (2010-2015) is being implemented over the course of the current Programme for Government and, as the Deputy notes, has recently been reviewed in a process led by my Department and involving relevant Departments, State agencies and private sector members of the Export Trade Council. As provided for in the Strategy, the Government...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukrainian Conflict (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I am continuing to closely monitor ongoing developments in eastern Ukraine, which remains an issue warranting our deep concern and attention. While the situation remains fragile and infractions have occurred, the ceasefire agreed in Minsk last month between Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels is continuing to hold in large part. It is crucial now that all sides respect their commitments and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Defence Forces Deployment (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The conditions under which Irish military personnel may be deployed for service outside the State as part of an International Force, referred to as the ‘triple lock’ mechanism, are set down in the Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act of 1960 as amended by the Defence (Amendment) Act of 2006. The service must be as part of an International United Nations Force as defined by the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: My Department is monitoring the situation in Hong Kong closely. Our Consulate General in Hong Kong has been in contact with local officials. Ireland supports Hong Kong’s Basic Law protections of internationally recognised fundamental freedoms, including freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. We encourage all parties to refrain from any actions that may escalate...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Terrorism (7 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: Middle East Issues (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: On 1 September I issued the following statement on behalf of the Government: “I strongly condemn the appropriation yesterday by Israel of a large block of Palestinian land in the West Bank, which is expected to be used for the creation of a major new Israeli settlement in this highly sensitive area. Ireland has repeatedly made clear that settlements are illegal under international...