Results 4,261-4,280 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (2 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: It is not yet clear whether or not there will be a further discussion of Yemen at the next meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council on 20 April. The Council most recently considered the situation at its meeting on 9 February 2015 when we set out our views on the steps required to achieve a sustainable solution to the developing crisis in the country.Regrettably,the political and security...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Terrorism (2 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The issue of how best to respond to the threat posed by terrorism has been high on the EU agenda in recent months. Foreign Ministers have focused in particular on the contribution that the EU can make through its external action to the effort to prevent and counter terrorism at the international level. We have discussed strategies to engage with third countries to prevent violent extremism...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (2 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland has repeatedly condemned the targeting of civilians by all parties in the course of the Syrian conflict at both the EU and the UN. As I said in my speech to the UN General Assembly in September 2014, “the flagrant violation of international law by all sides in the Syrian conflict must be confronted and referred to the International Criminal Court”. I reiterated this in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Expenditure (2 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Embassy Tehran was operational from 1976 to 2012 and incurred expenditure of €534,738 in 2011 which was the last full year of operation by this Embassy. The Consulate General of Ireland in Cardiff was operational from 1998 to 2009; expenditure incurred in 2008 the last full year of operation was €290,410. Office expenditure includes staff, travel, office running, premises and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (2 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I, and officials in my Department including our Embassy in Cairo, have raised this case with the Egyptian authorities on many occasions. Following the beginning of the trial on 29 March, a formal application for release on bail is now being considered by the Egyptian court. Embassy Officials were present in court on 29 March and will attend the next hearing on 26 April. I am aware of reports...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (2 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Stormont House Agreement recognizes the important role to be played by civil society. The Agreement provides specifically for the establishment of a civic advisory panel to ensure that civic voices are heard, and civic views are considered, in relation to key social, cultural and economic issues. The Agreement proposes that such a panel be established by June 2015. The panel will advise...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (2 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland has always been at the forefront internationally in raising human rights issues.We raise any concerns with the Saudi authorities primarily through relevant international mechanisms, such the Universal Periodic Review of Saudi Arabia in the UN Human Rights Council, and have also done so bilaterally. We normally raise human rights issues in Saudi Arabia, including specific cases, in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Stormont House Agreement: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (2 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I am pleased to have the opportunity to appear before the committee to update it on the political talks that were held in Belfast in the final quarter of last year, which resulted in the Stormont House Agreement on the eve of Christmas Eve. I acknowledge the great interest of the committee in the matter, which builds on the foundational work of the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Stormont House Agreement: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (2 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Deputy Ferris for his comments. This is a matter for the Department of Justice and Equality. Work has commenced on the legislation. I expect it will be enacted to allow for its operation in 2016. I expect the heads of the Bill to be published later in the summer. With regard to the consultative process, the Deputy is aware that, like all items of legislation, the Bill will go to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Stormont House Agreement: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (2 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Deputy Smith raised a number of issues. Welfare reform is a matter exclusively for the parties in Northern Ireland. Meetings have taken place at a high level over recent weeks. I take the opportunity at this committee to call on all the parties to redouble their resolve with a view towards reaching agreement on the matter, which is obviously complex as well as being important. I would...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Stormont House Agreement: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (2 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I share the Deputy's view that infrastructural improvements and developments are vital in the context of peace, stability and prosperity. The A5 dual carriageway is seen as a key infrastructural project and it was very much under discussion in the context of the agreement. I was pleased the Government reaffirmed our commitment of funding to the tune of £50 million in financial support...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Stormont House Agreement: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (2 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Institutional reform was very much on the agenda in the context of the talks, albeit one that did not directly involve the Government. I do not see an immediate appetite to change the structure as set up by the d'Hondt mechanism, the aim of which was to ensure a large degree of power sharing. I do not think the time is right for such a change. However, there is a provision for members to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Stormont House Agreement: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (2 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: As regards the Dublin-Monaghan bombings, which we discussed prior to Deputy Conlan's arrival, I reiterate that I will continue to raise this issue. It is one about which I believe we need to be supplied with appropriate information and documentation. I raised the matter recently but will continue to do so. I agree with what the Deputy has said. The issue of smuggling was aired by Deputy...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Stormont House Agreement: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (2 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Chair. On the last issue, I am sure the committee could lend its support. There was a very successful launch of the bid to stage the Rugby World Cup with the full support of all the party leaders in the North and the South. It is a very exciting opportunity and I think if the Chair were to lend his support by contacting the IRFU, it would be most helpful. I get a sense from...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Stormont House Agreement: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (2 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the committee.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (15 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Achieving relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the US is a priority for the Government in our contacts with the United States. Through our Embassy in Washington and our Consulates throughout the U.S., we continue to work closely with high level Government contacts and with many other individuals and groups across Irish America and beyond. All of this work is aimed at achieving relief...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (15 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 647 and 648 together. The EU Foreign Affairs Council most recently considered the situation in Yemen at its meeting on 9 February 2015. At this meeting, I participated in a discussion of the crisis in Yemen with my fellow Ministers and with the High Representative. In light of this, conclusions were published which set out the EU’s views on the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (15 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I, and officials in my Department including our Embassy in Cairo, have raised this case with the Egyptian authorities on many occasions. The Irish Government has formally supported applications by this individual’s lawyers for his release. I have spoken personally to my Egyptian counterpart on a number of occasions, including as recently as 2 April, to underline our support for this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Language (15 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: In accordance with the Official Languages Act 2003 and the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language, my Department is committed tocontinued implementation of the regulations under the Official Languages Act, includingincreasing the number of functional bilingual officials to promote the use of the Irish language and to deliver services in Irish. The most recent skills audit of all staff...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Language (15 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: All Passports are issued in accordance with the Passport Act 2008. When it is brought to the attention of the Passport Service that a passport applicant has reduced capacity, then the provisions of S6 (4) of the Passports Act 2008 are applied. Section 6 (4) states, “An application for the issue of a passport to a person who is suffering from a physical or mental incapacity may be made...