Results 4,301-4,320 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge Deputy Smith's long-standing interest in this matter. I assure him and the House that the Government fully supports the all-party Dáil motions of July 2008 and May 2011 urging the British Government to allow access by an independent international judicial figure to all original documents in its possession relating to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. I have raised this issue...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I assure Deputy Smith that I will continue my efforts in order to ensure this issue can be progressed. On his recent visit to Belfast, the Taoiseach made clear the importance which this Government attaches to the issue of disclosure and co-operation in dealing with the legacy of the past. For the Irish Government and other State authorities, this means committing to co-operating to the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I assure Deputy Smith that I have consistently raised the issue with my counterpart, Secretary of State Villiers. I acknowledge the contribution, help, assistance and influence of the leader of the Opposition and Deputy Smith not just recently, but over a long period of time. I assure the Deputy that, in the context of my deliberations, my Department has a long-standing relationship with...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Egyptian Conflict (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Our objectives in this case are clear - first, to see the release of this individual by the Egyptian authorities so that he can return home to his family and his studies in Dublin and second, to provide consular support for his welfare while he remains in detention. This considered approach and sustained action that has been taken by me and my officials in this case has been to further these...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Egyptian Conflict (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I assure the Deputy and the House yet again that there have been ongoing and useful contacts at official level with our international partners in regard to this case. Having spoken at some length to the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms Julie Bishop, and to my Canadian counterparts, I am well briefed on the facts of their cases and how they differ from the circumstances of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Egyptian Conflict (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Once again, I assure the House that I am fully aware of the frustrations and sensitivities involved. I am also aware of comparisons being made between the case of this individual and other cases involving foreign nationals. I assure the Deputy that I have on numerous occasions discussed the case with Ms Mogherini, as recently as last week. I can confirm to the House that I have been in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Irish Prisoners Abroad (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I assure Deputy Murphy that my objectives in the case are appropriate and clear. They are to see the release of the individual by the authorities in Cairo so he can return home to resume his studies in Dublin and be with his family, and to provide support for his welfare while he remains detained. The approach I continue to take on an almost daily basis is in furtherance of these...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Irish Prisoners Abroad (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The next hearing is scheduled for 26 April, which is later this week. It would be most unhelpful for me or anybody else to speculate as to what might happen on that occasion. I assure the House and Deputy Murphy that Irish embassy officials will be in attendance as they have been at every hearing of this trial to monitor, experience and report on developments of the day. There is a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Irish Prisoners Abroad (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I again express concern at the inaccurate reporting the circumstances of the individual. There were allegations of torture, which were taken seriously and investigated by my Department and me. There was a suggestion in the form of a report that he was missing in prison. That did not transpire to be the case. While the individual remains in detention, a key objective for me is that we do...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The effective and expeditious implementation of the Stormont House Agreement remains a priority of the Government. In accordance with the review and monitoring provisions of the agreement, the second quarterly review meeting, involving the Northern Ireland Executive party leaders and the British and Irish Governments, took place in Belfast on 27 March, where I represented the Government. We...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Notwithstanding the current election campaign in the UK, certain aspects of the agreement are still being progressed. I point specifically to the areas of agreement involving the preparation of legislation, north and south of the Border and in Westminster. I assure the House in particular that legislation incumbent on the Irish Department of Justice and Equality is progressing and I am in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will be aware that the Irish Government was not a party to the negotiations on aspects of the agreement relating to devolution and budgetary and financial issues. Ongoing discussions on these matters take place primarily between the Northern Ireland Executive party leaders themselves, but on numerous occasions I have called on the parties in Northern Ireland, especially Sinn...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Human Rights Issues (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of recent reports of alleged police-led human rights abuses against African Americans in the US and the extensive public concern created by those allegations. These concerns, and the need to address them, have been acknowledged by the US authorities at the highest level. President Obama stated in an address to the US people in November, following the decision of the grand jury in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Human Rights Issues (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I refer again to President Obama's strong response on behalf of the American people following the grand jury's decision in the Brown case, from which I have already quoted. I commend to the Deputy and the House President Obama's inspiring speech on the 50th anniversary of the civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery. It is a comprehensive statement on race relations in the US in terms of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Human Rights Issues (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the Abu-Jamal case to which the Deputy refers. Indeed, as a signatory to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, ICESCR, Ireland supports the right of all people to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, as enshrined in Article 12 of the covenant. I note that the United States has signed but not ratified the...

Other Questions: Middle East Issues (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The comments by the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Netanyahu, before the recent election regarding both the two-state solution and the turnout of Arab voters in that election were disappointing and unwelcome. Such statements are particularly regrettable in the tense and inflammatory situation in the Middle East. We know from our own peace process how words of supposed comfort to one side can...

Other Questions: Middle East Issues (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Yesterday, I attended a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, involving 28 EU members states, in Luxembourg. The High Representative, Federica Mogherini, has made it quite clear that she wants the Foreign Affairs Council to review the approach of the European Union to the Middle East peace process. I have strongly supported this view and I have raised the matter at Council level. I am...

Other Questions: Middle East Issues (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I am conscious of the difficult and challenging situation in the region. I believe that as an important first step, Mr. Netanyahu should now proceed to form his Government. I expect that this will be finalised in the next few weeks. I have had an opportunity to visit the region and see at first hand the difficulties and challenges involved. I assure the Deputy that the Government's...

Other Questions: Conflict Resolution (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Sharing the experience of peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland is identified as a priority in our foreign policy document, The Global Island, which was published earlier this year. Since its establishment in 2008, the conflict resolution unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has engaged in such work on an ongoing basis. Each conflict and each peace process is...

Other Questions: Conflict Resolution (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: It is part of the peace process, on a micro level.