Results 4,461-4,480 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Other Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (19 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The achievement of relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the United States is a priority for the Government in our contacts with that country. We are continuing to work closely with high-level Government contacts, as well as with many other individuals and groups across Irish America and beyond, through the Irish Embassy in Washington and our consulates throughout the US. All of this...

Other Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (19 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Last November, President Obama announced his long-promised executive action on US immigration policy but in February of this year an injunction was granted by a federal judge in Texas. This forced the Department of Homeland Security to halt the roll-out of the expanded direct admission of students abroad, DASA, programme and the new deferred action to parents of Americans and lawful...

Other Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (19 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I do not have a date in respect of this court hearing. Should I get any information, I will be happy to report that to the Deputy. It would not be wise of me to speculate on a likely hearing date for a court action. The Deputy is correct that, the court case notwithstanding, it is important that we continue to ensure we raise these issues with our US counterparts as often as possible. I...

Other Questions: Humanitarian Aid (19 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The earthquakes in Nepal on 25 April and 12 May had horrific humanitarian consequences for the region. Irish Aid, working with Irish non-governmental organisations, NGOs, is fully committed to making a contribution to the response and we are working closely with the European Union and United Nations. The European Commission allocated €22.6 million in assistance to the Government of...

Other Questions: Humanitarian Aid (19 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I assure Deputy Durkan that the Government of Nepal is leading the response efforts and has declared a state of emergency across the affected districts. The United Nations resident and humanitarian co-ordinator for Nepal is co-ordinating international assistance on the ground in support of the country's Government. While it has been reported that much aid has not yet been delivered, I...

Other Questions: Humanitarian Aid (19 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: As Deputy Durkan will be aware, this is a challenging and difficult issue. The terrain is extremely difficult, damage is widespread and the priority is to ensure power, water and transport are available. The United Nations has issued an appeal for $423 million in support of the efforts of the Government of Nepal to address the most critical needs of shelter, sanitation and water, emergency...

Leaders' Questions (19 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Deputy Cowen is telling them that.

Leaders' Questions (19 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Deputy Cowen was near enough.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (19 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The 41stanniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings took place two days ago on May 17th. The survivors of those terrible attacks, and the families of the victims, are now into the fifth decade of their search for answers. Commemorations took place last Saturday, 16thMay, at which the Government was represented by Minister of State Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. Anniversaries...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (19 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: On 23 July 2014, the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva held a Special Session on the conflict in Gaza, which was then still taking place. At that session, Ireland made a statement characterising the situation as follows: "Ireland condemns both the firing of missiles from Gaza into Israel, by Hamas and other militant groups, and the killing of hundreds of civilians in military attacks by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (19 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I have been deeply troubled by the worsening situation in Macedonia for some time, and the subject was discussed by EU Foreign Ministers at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels yesterday. We are very concerned about the situation, both at the events of the weekend of 9thand 10thMay, and the wider political instability facing the country. Ministers agreed to monitor the situation...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (19 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I discussed this case with Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry in New York on Monday 27 April, outlining Ireland’s concerns on the case and expressing our disappointment that a decision on the application for bail, an application formally supported by the Irish government, had been refused along with other bail applications in this case. Our two objectives in this case remain clear:...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (19 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: This is a repeat of my reply to Question No. 8 (19497/15). 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (19 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The EU has a clear and long standing position that Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory are illegal, and are damaging to the prospects for a peaceful resolution of the conflict. Products from these settlements therefore are severely penalised by being ineligible for the lower tariffs applicable to goods from Israel, or from Palestinian producers, or many other countries....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (19 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: This is a repeat to my reply to Question No. 9 (19376.15). The 41stanniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings took place two days ago on May 17th. The survivors of those terrible attacks, and the families of the victims, are now into the fifth decade of their search for answers. Commemorations took place last Saturday, 16thMay, at which the Government was represented by Minister of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Common Security and Defence Policy (19 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The current humanitarian situation in the Mediterranean is of great concern to Ireland, and our EU and Southern partners. Solutions must be found jointly to address a crisis on this scale and to prevent further loss of life. The EU High Representative recently visited the Headquarters of the United Nations in New York to discuss aspects of the EU's response to the crisis, including the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (19 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Recent months have seen Libya paralysed by intensifying conflict, with competing factions vying for political legitimacy and control of cities and infrastructure. The continuing UN brokered talks on Libya are an important development. My hope is that this dialogue process will, with the benefit of full participation by all relevant actors, soon reach agreement on a government of national...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (19 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The situation in Venezuela is a matter of concern to Ireland and to our EU partners and is monitored closely within the EU's Foreign Affairs Council. The recent steps taken by the United States are intended to impose financial and travel restrictions on seven named individuals in leadership positions in Venezuela whom the United States has identified as being involved in human rights...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (19 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I refer the Deputy to my written reply to his question of 6 May concerning the Presidential election in Kazakhstan on 26 April. My reply referred to the Statement of preliminary findings and conclusions by the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission which was deployed at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan. This Statement identifies certain issues which give...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (19 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: This Irish citizen’s trial, having been postponed a number of times, has commenced. The next hearing is due to take place on 3 June. At the last hearing of the trial, the citizen’s application for bail, an application formally supported by the Irish Government, was refused along with other bail applications in this case. Our two objectives in this case remain clear: firstly,...