Results 4,021-4,040 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (22 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I remain deeply concerned at this individual’s continued detention as well as the recent further postponement of his trial. Previous PQs, including my response to question 19 today (2657/15), have set out my approach to this case, and the steps taken, in some detail. Most recently I discussed the case with EU High Representative Mogherini in Dublin on 12 January. She confirmed...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (22 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The countries of the Western Balkans are making steady progress in their preparations to join the European Union. Within the region of the Western Balkans, there are four candidate countries: Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Albania. In addition, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo are potential candidate countries. The enlargement process is founded on the Copenhagen criteria, which reflect the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (27 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Passports belonging to a mother and her four children were declared lost in October 2012. The Passport Office has referred the circumstances of the loss of these passports to An Garda Síochána and investigations are still ongoing regarding this matter. Pending the outcome of these investigations passports with a restricted validity were issued in accordance with section 9(1) and (2)...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Missions (27 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Japan is a priority market under our Government Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy. In December 2013, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny visited Japan where he met with Prime Minister Abe. Together they launched the Japan-Ireland Partnership for Innovation and Growth. The Taoiseach was accompanied for part of this visit by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Mr. Simon Coveney, T.D. During...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Air Navigation Orders (27 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The regulation of civilian aircraft is governed by the Convention on International Civil Aviation (the Chicago Convention)which came into force on 4 April 1947. Ireland’s rights and obligations under the Convention have been incorporated into Irish law through the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1946, as amended. The legislation provides that the Minister for Transport has primary...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo involves one of the most complex and enduring humanitarian crises in the world. This is the result of decades of political and economic mismanagement, exacerbated by difficult relations with neighbouring countries, ongoing violence in the Great Lakes region and chronic underdevelopment. I share the strong international concern at the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the case of Abdallah Abu Rahme, who was convicted of obstructing military operations in the West Bank, by blocking a military bulldozer engaged in construction. His is one of a series of cases of concern related to the protests around construction of the separation barrier on Palestinian land belonging to the villagers of Bil’in The size of the Irish mission in...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Vice Chairman. I am pleased to be here today to present to the select committee the Revised Estimates for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for 2015. I trust that the committee will endorse the priorities and output targets we have set for ourselves for 2015. It is my first time I have had the pleasure of meeting the select committee to present the Revised Estimates...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The commitment to advancing Ireland's trade and economic interests in Europe and internationally is set out in programme A. The amount allocated for the programme in 2015 is €48.6 million, a slight increase on the allocation for 2014. Last year, 19 ministerial-led Enterprise Ireland trade missions took place to countries which have been identified as priority markets for Irish...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Deputies for their positive remarks in respect of the St. Patrick's Day activities. It is very important that the very best opportunity be taken over that period by a range of Ministers. I cannot conceive of a similar type of opportunity available in any other country in the world. St. Patrick's Day is a huge international celebration and is an annual event. In recent times we...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: In the context of our economic recovery, we have highlighted areas where we can increase our level of trade, particularly in the export market sector. There has been a particular concentration on trade promotion in the Asian market in recent times. The economic importance of Asia, coupled with its role as a engine for innovation and good practice, has led to a situation where our missions...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I do not believe we have plans to visit Cuba in the immediate future. Both my Department and I would welcome an opportunity to hear from the committee if there are areas in which its members believe we can forge new exploratory links. We would be happy to hear from them in the form of a report at any stage.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Our embassy in Mexico has jurisdiction over our engagement with Cuba. Our relations are excellent. If Deputy Eric Byrne has contacts in Cuba, we would be very happy to hear any proposal he might have as to how we might engage further with that country to provide an opportunity that was not readily identifiable in the past.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I will be very happy to hear from members on their return by way of report.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Members will appreciate that there are obviously great opportunities, but we must work within our resources. We have a mere three embassies covering all of South America and Central America. That presents difficulties and means that we cannot engage in the manner members would like. I certainly take on board the recommendation of the committee that we engage actively with Cuba and other...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Minister of State, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, will speak about emigrant support services and the Diaspora. Deputy Brendan Smith spoke about the cost of an emergency passport and the consequent hardship which he considered was placed on those making an application. There is no charge for an emergency passport over and above the normal cost of a passport. I accept what Deputy Ruairí...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: It will cost €35. We are actively engaged with other jurisdictions to ensure its increased acceptance across Europe and beyond. The passport service continually looks towards reform, embraces new technologies and offers a service to the public in a way which ensures efficiency. This year we intend to issue a number of contracts. They will include contracts for facial recognition...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The specific case to which the Deputy refers is that of Ibrahim Halawa, on which we have been engaged in some detail for many months. It exemplifies the high level of attention and engagement that is often required of the consular services. My Department and I are monitoring the case very closely. Last week I again raised the issue with Ms Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Contact will be made in all cases involving an Irish citizen in another jurisdiction where assistance is sought. The Department will make efforts to ensure a satisfactory outcome is achieved. We are very much aware of the case involving 26 Irish citizens in Australia whom I understand will be the subject of a deportation order by the Australian authorities. We have not received any...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: An additional charge applies if a passport is sought and received within a short period, that is, faster than the five-day turnaround period.