Results 4,201-4,220 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Advisers Remuneration (5 Mar 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Following the resignation of the former Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, TD, in July 2014, his personally appointed staff, including the Special Advisers mentioned, received the following severance payments in accordance with the terms of their contracts of employment and instructions from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Special Advisor...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (5 Mar 2015)

Charles Flanagan: In January 2015, the Taoiseach and I launched a review of Ireland's foreign policy, “The Global Island: Ireland's Foreign Policy for a Changing World”. This review was the culmination of a wide-ranging process of consultation conducted by my Department involving other Government Departments, members of the Oireachtas, civil society and members of the public. It offers a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (10 Mar 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I am fully aware of the case the Deputy has raised. The conviction and sentencing of the leader of the opposition in Malaysia is a matter of concern and raises questions regarding due process of law. Ireland supports the statement of the European Union External Action Service on the matter on 10 February 2015, which is attached. We believe that trust in the administration of justice is an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (10 Mar 2015)

Charles Flanagan: On 18 February my Department granted permission for the landing of a US C130 military aircraft at Shannon Airport in accordance with standard conditions which apply to the landing of all foreign military aircraft. These included stipulations that the aircraft must be unarmed, carry no arms, ammunition or explosives and must not engage in intelligence gathering, and that the flights in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (10 Mar 2015)

Charles Flanagan: As noted on 17 December 2014, the Government’s approach to the question of the recognition of Palestine was set out in detail during the course of the debate held in the Dáil on 9 and 10 December. The Dáil motion called on the Government to recognise a State of Palestine as a further positive contribution to securing a negotiated two-state solution to the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Nuclear Disarmament Initiative (10 Mar 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland has long made clear its support for the negotiations between Iran and the 5 Permanent Members of the Security plus Germany over Iran’s nuclear activities. Current negotiations, which are aimed at reaching an agreement by the end of June 2015 under the terms of the November 2013 Joint Plan of Action agreed by the parties, are ongoing. Ireland continues to support the efforts...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (10 Mar 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Mid-term legislative elections are due in Venezuela later this year. It is essential that the elections be held in a manner that is free and fair in accordance with international standards and, in particular, that the fundamental rights of all persons, including the right to freedom of expression, of assembly and of association be protected and upheld. I have already expressed my concerns at...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (10 Mar 2015)

Charles Flanagan: It was with shock and disbelief that I learned of the brutal and cowardly murder of the leading Russian opposition figure Boris Nemtsov in central Moscow. I am deeply saddened by his death, and have extended my sympathy to his family. Mr. Nemtsov was a courageous champion of democratic reforms who fought tirelessly for a more open and tolerant Russia. His loss will be deeply felt not...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passports Data (10 Mar 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Due to a surge in demand, the turnaround time for passport express has in recent weeks exceeded the target time of ten days for correctly completed applications. The Passport Service regrets the delay and any difficulties caused in this regard. Measures have been taken to return current turnaround times back to standard service levels and I am pleased to inform the house that Passport Express...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (10 Mar 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The third international Conference on Financing for Development will be held in Addis Ababa in July, with the objective of agreeing the financing framework for the post-2015 agenda on sustainable development, which will replace the framework provided by the Millennium Development Goals. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were agreed by the international community in 2000, in order...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Sustainable Development Strategy (10 Mar 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland is currently co-facilitating the negotiations at the United Nations to agree a framework for international development to replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) after 2015. It is hoped that the new development agenda will be adopted at the Summit planned for New York in September. At the heart of this new global sustainable development framework will be a set of Sustainable...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (10 Mar 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Firstly, let me offer my condolences to the family of the Irish citizen who died in New York. Officials at the Consulate General in New York have advised that the process for obtaining a death certificate depends on whether the person died in New York City or elsewhere in New York state. In the case of deaths in New York City, full details of how to obtain a death certificate are available on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (10 Mar 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The purpose of the Third Financing for Development Conference in Addis Ababa in July is to agree the financing framework for the post-2015 agenda on sustainable development. Ireland is currently co-facilitating the negotiations at the United Nations on the new framework for international development to replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) after 2015. It is hoped that the new...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (11 Mar 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Passport Service is committed to the use and promotion of the Irish language. This is reflected in the name policy which is applied under the Passports Act, 2008 (the Act). Section 10 of the Act provides that a passport will issue in the name of a citizen as it appears on his/her birth certificate. If the Irish form of the name is registered on the birth certificate, this name will...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Programme (11 Mar 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I sponsored two items of legislation in 2012 and the information requested by the Deputy is set out below. The information provided below is also available from the Oireachtas website. Name of Bill No of Government amendments tabled/accepted in the Seanad No of other amendments tabled/accepted in the Seanad European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2012 None/None None/None Thirtieth...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (11 Mar 2015)

Charles Flanagan: My Department closely monitors the situation in Gaza, including the pace of the reconstruction. When I recently visited Gaza, I was struck by the desperation of the humanitarian situation for so many people. I met with Pierre Krahenbuhl, the Commissioner General of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and with a number of families directly affected by the conflict. I raised with Foreign...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Communications (11 Mar 2015)

Charles Flanagan: On 3 July 2014, my Department published advice to Irish citizens and business on financial and economic activities in Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Advice along these lines has also been issued by many of our EU partners. The advice is intended to provide advice to the general public, investors and companies on the potential legal, reputational and economic risks...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on EU Foreign Affairs Council: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Mar 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the work of the Chairman as Chair of this important parliamentary committee and also the work of the members of the committee who, I know, engage very positively over a wide range of issues hingeing on our foreign policy and Ireland's role in the world. That is very much appreciated by the Government, my Department and me. In that context I very much welcome the opportunity to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on EU Foreign Affairs Council: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Mar 2015)

Charles Flanagan: This continues to be an issue of the highest priority for me and my Department. I thank the Chair and acknowledge the role of this committee in respect of its sustained interest and constructive engagement on the matter. Since the committee's last briefing on the case, I met last week in Geneva with the Egyptian deputy foreign Minister. I emphasised Ireland's continued concerns regarding...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on EU Foreign Affairs Council: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Mar 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I will deal with them by topic rather than by member, if that is agreeable.