Results 4,421-4,440 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (6 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The concerns over reports of alleged police led human rights abuses against African-Americans in the United States have been acknowledged by the US authorities at the highest levels. In relation to the death of Mr. Freddie Grey in Baltimore, and the reaction to his death, President Obama has highlighted the need to investigate how laws and their policing are implemented, while also...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (6 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Presidential elections were held in Kazakhstan on 26 April and the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan announced preliminary results, with 97.7% of votes favouring the incumbent, President Nursultan Nazarbayev. I would take this opportunity to welcome the fact that the OSCE/ODIHR, at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, deployed an Election Observation...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (6 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, since the ETA declaration in 2011 regarding "the definitive cessation of its armed activity", the Government has closely followed developments, including recent proposals from relevant parties. As we have said on many occasions, we continue to encourage all efforts which are aimed at securing a definitive peace in the Basque Country.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Recruitment (6 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: My Department was granted delegated sanction in February 2015 to manage its staffing resources. Under this sanction, we are in the process of recruiting eight Development Specialists for the Irish Aid programme and fifteen Clerical Officers to fill critical vacancies throughout the Department. We are also taking on two Third Secretaries, the recruitment grade for the diplomatic service,...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Public Sector Staff Increment Payments (7 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Details of increments for the years 2008 - 2015 set out in the table. The numbers for 2015 cover the period up to 30thApril 2015. YEAR NUMBER OF INCREMENTS VALUE OF INCREMENTS 2008 761 679,396 2009 739 608,755 2010 694 585,911 2011 630 630,105 2012 533 486,841 2013 447 393,135 2014 305 293,746 2015 126 210,994

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Common Security and Defence Policy (12 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland is actively participating in ongoing discussions at EU level on various strands of the EU’s comprehensive strategy regarding the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean. Our primary concern in these deliberations is to prevent further loss of life at sea.The European Council on 23 April did not make a specific commitment to Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) actions...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (12 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The promotion and protection of human rights is a core principle of Ireland's foreign policy and human rights issues in Colombia are a focus for Ireland and for the European Union.Human rights are addressed in detail in the context of the EU-Colombia Human Rights Dialogue. Through this mechanism, which addresses the issues directly with the Colombian authorities and includes input from civil...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Bodies (12 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 519 and 520 together. There are no State Agencies, State Boards or organisations of the type referred to under the aegis of my Department. My Department currently has four bodies, boards, or committees under its aegis. These are: the Emigrant Services Advisory Committee; the Irish Aid Expert Advisory Group; the NGO Standing Committee on Human Rights; and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (12 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: It is the norm internationally to provide passports of a ten year standard validity to all adults. A reduced term of validity for children’s passports is necessary as children’s appearances change significantly within a short period of years, which can lead to uncertainty regarding the identity of the passport holder. However this is not generally the case for adults of any age....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Fees (12 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: In 2011 the Government found it necessary in light of the budgetary situation to discontinue the arrangement whereby over 65’s could avail of a reduced passport fee. The cost of exempting those aged 65 and over from passport fees was estimated in 2011 to be €2.4 million per annum in terms of lost revenue and, as the shortfall would have to be met by the taxpayer, I have no...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Arms Trade (12 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy is correct in referring to Ireland’s long track record in the area of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, dating back to the late 1950s, when Ireland’s efforts at the United Nations General Assembly led directly to the negotiation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). I addressed the ninth NPT Review Conference in New York on 27 April in order to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Data Collection Issues (13 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the decision by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in the United States last Thursday regarding the use of section 215 of the Patriot Act to justify bulk domestic telephone data collection. It is now a matter for the US administration and Congress to address the issues raised by that Court decision. To that end, I note that the question of bulk data collection is currently...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UK Referendum on EU Membership (13 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The debate in the United Kingdom regarding its relationship with the European Unionis followed extremely closely by my Department, the Department of the Taoiseach and indeed all government departments. That focus will now only intensify following the recent general election in Britain and Prime Minister Cameron’s commitment to holding a referendum on the country’s EU membership...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consultancy Contracts Data (14 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two Votes, Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Co-operation). It has not been possible to compile the requested information in the time available. I have asked my officials to provide the requested information directly to the Deputy as soon as it is collated.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (14 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I welcome the re-appointment of Theresa Villiers MP as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, my working relations with Theresa Villiers have been very close and constructive, involving regular and in-depth engagement, in particular in the context of the Stormont House Agreement. I had a constructive telephone conversation with Secretary of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (14 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I made a two day official visit to Switzerland on 6 and 7 May at the invitation of my Swiss counterpart, Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter. The purpose of my visit was to strengthen our relations with Switzerland, particularly by advancing our cooperation on issues of international concern and by supporting our important bilateral economic relations. I believe my visit achieved both of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UK Referendum on EU Membership (14 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I have of course been following very closely the debate in the United Kingdom regarding its relationship with the European Union, along with my Government colleagues. Since last week’s general election in the UK, Prime Minister Cameron has reiterated his commitment to holding a referendum on the country’s EU membership by 2017. While a referendum on the subject will be strictly...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: International Agreements (14 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Senator Naughton for raising this important issue. Ireland's commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights is an underlying principle of Ireland's foreign policy and is a priority for this Government. Ireland is currently a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council and we pursue our human rights priorities in many international fora. Ireland is a firm supporter...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: International Agreements (14 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I am very grateful to Senator Naughton for providing me with the opportunity to discuss this important issue, which, in many respects, cuts to the heart of the Government's approach to peace and stability on this island, as well as our commitment to the international human rights framework on a more general basis. The Good Friday Agreement, including its provisions on human rights, was...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Good Friday Agreement (19 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The commitment of Ireland to the promotion and protection of human rights is an underlying principle of Ireland's foreign policy and is a priority for the Government. Ireland is currently a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council and we pursue our human rights priorities in many international fora. Ireland is a firm supporter of the European Court of Human Rights and the European...