Results 3,721-3,740 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Abortion Legislation (11 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: Between 26 and 30 October 2014, representations in the form of peaceful protests seeking a change in Ireland's laws on the termination of pregnancy were made to nine missions abroad. The missions included embassies in Athens, London, Nicosia, Ottawa, Stockholm, Tel Aviv and Warsaw and consulates general in Boston and New York. At eight of the locations, letters were conveyed to mission staff...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (11 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The Government remains very concerned about this case, particularly following the recent decision of the High Court of Lahore to uphold this person’s conviction. Our concern at the conviction and sentence was first conveyed by the Irish Ambassador accredited to Pakistan (from Ankara, Turkey) to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad in 2013. The Ambassador also expressed our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Travel Insurance (11 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: My Department advises all Irish citizens, before travelling abroad, to consult the Travel Advice pages on the Department’s website at . The Travel Advice pages provide relevant information on a vast range of countries and issues that people travelling should be aware of, and pages are updated frequently. On the Travel Advice webpage for Turkey, as is the case with all other...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (11 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The individuals concerned do not need to produce copies of their birth certificates. Instead the individuals can apply for Irish passports by enclosing the certificates of entry in the Adoption Authority of Ireland’s Register of Foreign Adoptions, relating to their adoption, and an Irish birth certificate for at least one of the Irish parents, available from the Irish General Register...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Meetings (11 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: Since 2004, the Department has organised two formal Heads of Mission conferences, one in 2009 and the other in 2011. The next Heads of Mission conference will take place in Dublin from 12 – 14 January 2015. While the programme for the conference has yet to be fully finalised, the conference will provide an opportunity to coordinate the work of Ireland’s diplomatic network in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Retirements (11 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: A total of 12 diplomatic officers will retire during 2015 and a further 5 diplomatic officers will retire in 2016. In common with other Departments, the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade has sustained substantial staff reductions under the moratorium on recruitment. Permanent Departmental staff numbers have fallen approximately 200, or about 13%, since 2009. In order to try to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on Foreign Affairs and Trade Issues: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I am very pleased to be here and I welcome the opportunity to address this committee for the first time since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in July. The fact that I have not addressed the committee over the past few months is not an indication of my lack of engagement with it. I have followed the progress, work and reports not only of the Chairman, but of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on Foreign Affairs and Trade Issues: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I look forward to working closely with the Chairman and with the members of the committee over the course of my tenure as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. I know that we will be meeting regularly for an exchange of views in the period ahead and I concur with what the Chairman said in there being serious and real issues on the international stage. This committee has been focused on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on Foreign Affairs and Trade Issues: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: On the recognition of Palestine, members will be aware that on 30 October last Sweden implemented its decision to recognise the Palestinian state. I am very conscious of the debate on this issue in the Oireachtas, including the motion passed by the Seanad on 22 October calling on the Government to formally recognise the state of Palestine and do everything in its power at international level...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on Foreign Affairs and Trade Issues: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I have problems staying on script.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on Foreign Affairs and Trade Issues: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: We will deal with the replies by topic, although there may be an element of repetition, as Deputies would appreciate. I acknowledge the opening comments of Deputy Smith, the Fianna Fáil spokesperson.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on Foreign Affairs and Trade Issues: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge Deputy Smith's comments and his constructive engagement in his capacity of Fianna Fáil spokesperson. It would be an exaggeration to say that with foreign policy we have a bipartisan approach but there is a wide range of issues on which we have a bipartisan approach, which I acknowledge. I would have the same sentiment, perhaps to a lesser extent, for Deputy Crowe's...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on Foreign Affairs and Trade Issues: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: Thank you, Chairman. I can be back by 6.30 p.m. if members want to resume then.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on Foreign Affairs and Trade Issues: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I can be back at 6.30 p.m. and we can go on until 7.30 p.m. or 8 p.m. if members are that way disposed. We were discussing the Middle East peace process and I was coming to a conclusion by reference to the settlements. I very much take the view outlined by Deputy O'Sullivan to the effect that the position is entirely unacceptable. The issue of settlement products was raised by Deputy...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on Foreign Affairs and Trade Issues: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I imagine everyone will join me in wishing her every success in her role, function and duties. Like the committee members last week I, too, look forward to paying a visit in the not-too-distant future. Deputy Crowe and others mentioned Syria and the difficult situation there. Deputy O’Sullivan made a particular point on the matter. I do not believe that President Assad or his...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on Foreign Affairs and Trade Issues: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I would be happy to take it. The situation regarding the Colombian peace process is being monitored by my officials in the Department. Ireland is fully supportive of the process and is ready to assist in any way we can. Deputy Byrne asked that I would intervene by way of offering support. The Deputy can be assured that while I will not intervene, we are available to give of our expertise...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on Foreign Affairs and Trade Issues: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I am sure, but it will not be a question of intervening-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on Foreign Affairs and Trade Issues: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: Should any invitation be sought-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on Foreign Affairs and Trade Issues: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: -----I am sure it will receive appropriate consideration. Deputy Crowe mentioned the Ibrahim Halawa case. I do not wish to go into detail other than to state that we are continuously monitoring the situation. I have been to Cairo. Our ambassador is actively engaged. Our wish is that this boy be freed to come home to resume his studies. I have met the family on a number of occasions and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on Foreign Affairs and Trade Issues: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I do not wish to reply by way of oral answer but I will send him a note.