Results 4,101-4,120 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (19 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 164, 165 and 167 together. The Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952 gives the Minister for Foreign Affairs primary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland and in Irish airspace. However, as the aircraft in question did not at any time enter Irish sovereign airspace there was no requirement to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Representations (19 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Between 9 and 16 February 2015, three Irish missions abroad received letters of protest relating to the policing response to incidents at a protest at Jobstown, Tallaght, Dublin 24. These were our Embassies in London and Stockholm and our Consulate General in Edinburgh. In addition, a peaceful protest was held outside the Embassy of Ireland in Vienna.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (19 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Together with the Taoiseach, I launched the Government's review of Foreign Policy The Global Island: Ireland's Foreign Policy for a Changing World on 13 January 2015 at the conference organised by my Department on “Representing the Global Island”. The purpose of the review was to provide a progressive and forward looking statement of Ireland's foreign policy written in clear and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Terrorism (19 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Boko Haram carried out its first reported terrorist attack in Chad on 13 February. The attack took place in the village of Ngouboua, on the shores of Lake Chad. Reports suggest that the militants killed and wounded a number of Chadians and destroyed most of the village before being pushed back by the Chadian army. I utterly condemn the appalling acts of violence being perpetrated in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukrainian Conflict (19 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The conflict in eastern Ukraine has escalated rapidly in recent weeks. The upsurge in violence and the increasing number of casualties, in particular innocent civilians caught up in the fighting, has been deeply troubling. I welcome the agreement reached in Minsk on 12 February, following all-night talks involving Chancellor Merkel, President Hollande, President Poroshenko and President...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (19 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: At the Foreign Affairs Council on 9 February, I and my EU colleagues expressed our grave concern at recent developments in Yemen, including the seizure of control in Sana'a by Houthi militia and the consequent collapse of the transitional national government. The Council called for the release from house arrest of the former President and Ministers, who have all resigned. Yemen urgently needs...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Congressional Medals (19 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The history of the US government's relationship with Native Americans presents a complex and challenging legacy. This legacy has become a matter of much debate in the United States and I am aware, in particular, of the campaign surrounding the awarding of Congressional Medals of Honor to members of the US Army's Seventh Cavalry who were involved in the tragic event referred to by the Deputy....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (24 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I have repeatedly condemned the abduction of more than 200 young girls by Boko Haram from a school in the Nigerian town of Chibok in April 2014. I have also condemned other appalling acts of violence being perpetrated in Nigeria and its neighbouring countries by Boko Haram. These include the killing in January of a large number of civilians in an attack by militants in the north-eastern...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (24 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: These terrible events continue to overshadow relations between Armenia and Turkey and the two sides maintain sharply different historical interpretations of these events. Ireland has not taken a position on the issue of the recognition as genocide.As we in Ireland know well, the process of reconciliation and coming to terms with the past is never easy. In this year of centenary...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (24 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I remain deeply concerned at this individual’s continued detention as well as the recent further postponement of his trial. From my first day in office, I have taken a strong interest, and an active role, in this case and indeed in my first week in office I spoke to Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry setting out my concerns.I have spoken to FM Shoukry on a number of further occasions,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (24 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The ongoing situation in Venezuela is a cause of great concern. It is apparent that tensions are growing and the country is suffering an increasing degree of political polarisation. As I have indicated before, the deaths, casualties and detentions arising from the unrest there require full, impartial investigation in accordance with due legal process. The apparently high levels of impunity...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Easter Rising Commemorations (24 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The centenary of the Easter Rising in 2016 will be the centre-piece of the Government’s Decade of Centenaries programme. The Taoiseach launched the outline plans for the Ireland 2016 commemorations on 21stNovember 2014. These outline plans are currently being developed and the public are being consulted for their views.My colleague, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (24 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: In the context of preparing a new Diaspora Policy, the Government is considering initiatives along the lines of the Deputy’s question. I expect the Diaspora Policy to be launched very soon, after which, I would be happy to provide the Deputy with more detailed information.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (24 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I issued a statement condemning the murder of 21 Egyptian citizens by the terrorist group ISIS on 16 February:“I am deeply shocked by the reports of the brutal killing of Coptic Christians in Libya by ISIS.This is a monstrous act beyond comprehension, which must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. It is also a savage attack on a minority community. Ireland has repeatedly...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (24 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has a longstanding relationship with the Justice for the Forgotten group. My Department has had several meetings with the group at both official and Ministerial level. The Government continues to support the Justice for the Forgotten group in their campaign on behalf of the Dublin-Monaghan families. In this regard, the group has received grant...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (24 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Stormont House Agreement identified a number of areas in which legislation may be required, particularly regarding the new institutions to be established under the Agreement’s provisions on dealing with the past. On 30 January, the first implementation and review meeting of the Agreement was held at which a detailed implementation timetable regarding all aspects of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (24 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Together with the Taoiseach, I launched the Government’s review of Foreign Policy The Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World on 13 January 2015 at the conference organized by my Department on “Representing the Global Island”. The purpose of the review was to provide a progressive and forward looking statement of Ireland’s foreign policy...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Expenditure (24 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade currently utilises 151 properties abroad. Our official diplomatic and consular premises overseas are key platforms for promoting Ireland’s interests and values abroad, providing vital services to our citizens, our diaspora and to visa-required business travellers resident in the host state who wish to travel to Ireland. Accordingly, it is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Oversight (24 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: As with all Government Departments, Irish Aid expenditure is audited annually by the Comptroller and Auditor General. The Comptroller and Auditor General conducted an audit of the budget allocation for the Vote in 2014 and his report was published on 26 September 2014. The report did not highlight any matters of concern.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Terrorism (24 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: My Italian colleague was referring to the crisis in Libya which is a cause of grave and ongoing concern for the European Union, its member states, and the international community. I condemned the horrific murders of 21 Egyptian Christians by ISIS on 16 February. It is my sincere hope that the promise of a political resolution to the crisis in Libya can be fulfilled. The convening of...