Results 4,561-4,580 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Topical Issue Debate: Consular Services Representations (11 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I will continue to keep in close contact with the members of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, with the spokespeople of the main Opposition parties, and with Deputy Smith in particular. There have been some concerns regarding his health and the conditions in the prison. I am very mindful of those concerns. The embassy previously lodged formal requests with the appropriate...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: North South Ministerial Council (11 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The twentieth Plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) was held at Dublin Castle on 5 June 2015. At the meeting, which was chaired by the Taoiseach, there was a discussion on the policies being implemented to support economic growth, job creation and improve living standards in both jurisdictions. The Council welcomed the discussions that have taken place across...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Sector Staff Remuneration (11 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The potential cost of introducing an hourly rate of €11.45 per hour within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is calculated at approximately €640,000 per annum.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Foreign Conflicts (11 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Senator for facilitating this debate in the Seanad. As he stated, it is an important issue. The barbaric violence and culture of hatred which fuel the ISIS campaign of terror are utterly unacceptable to Ireland and the wider world and a threat to the values of freedom and human dignity which we fundamentally espouse. ISIS's actions are harmful, first and foremost, to the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Foreign Conflicts (11 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Yes, the United States is very much involved. There is an ongoing programme of interaction between the European Union and the United States. Only recently the High Representative, Ms Federica Mogherini, visited the United States and she has been particularly active on this issue since assuming office in November. Our position, notwithstanding the Senator's exhortation that Ireland should...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects Status (11 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: On behalf of the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, I thank Senator Reilly for raising this matter as it provides the Minister with an opportunity to clarify the current position in regard to major capital projects for the Holy Family special school in Cootehill, County Cavan. The Senator will be aware of the demographic challenge facing the education system in the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Schools Building Projects Status (11 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I assure Senator Reilly that the Department has an active interest in this matter and is anxious to advance the project. She is familiar with the process involved in moving from stage 2a to 2b, but she can be assured the Department is actively involved in the matter.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: National Heritage Plan (11 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Senator for raising this matter. Reconciling reasonable and understandable aspirations of local communities to continue the tradition of burial in or near their local historic burial ground with the need to preserve and protect the archaeological heritage is always a difficult task. On behalf of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, I am pleased to have the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: National Heritage Plan (11 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: This is a matter of life and death, as the Senator said. The Department worked closely with the local community group in Annaghdown to resolve what was a difficult and complex issue. It required the reconciliation of the aspirations of the local community with the highly important and appropriate protection of the nationally important heritage site. I am sure the local community is...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: National Heritage Plan (11 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I ask the Senator to acknowledge the difficulties involved. I will be happy to facilitate further engagement after this debate to ensure the three parties - the local authority, the local community and the Department - will work closely together to try to resolve the issue.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (16 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 666 and 667 together. I am aware of the reports referred to by the Deputy. As is often the case in these matters, however, it has not proved possible to establish the full facts in every instance. The promotion and protection of human rights is a core principle of Ireland's foreign policy and we have prioritised the protection of trades unionists, human...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (16 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade I have not met with the named individual nor have I met with senior executives of his media companies.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (16 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: This matter was under investigation by the Department of Justice since June 2014. On 11 June 2015 the Passport Office received information from the Department of Justice that its investigation has been completed. Therefore, this passport application will now be progressed without delay.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (16 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: An Post is responsible for the details of its services on its website. Of course An Post is a strategic partner of my Department with regard to the delivery of passport express services and for this reason its website links to the Departments website for performance reports on actual turnaround periods. Currently the turnaround time for Passport Express is on average 10 working days for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (16 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Average turnaround passport express 2015 Month Working Days January 12 February 11 March 10 April 10 May 11

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (16 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Almost 50% of passport applications are received in the months April to July. We are almost two thirds of the way through this extreme spike in passport applications and average turnaround times for passport express have remained at 10 or 11 days. Additionally at this time of year approximately 250 customers are seen daily by appointment at our public counters in Dublin and Cork and receive...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (16 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy's question refers to a recent incident widely reported in the media that took place on Friday 5June in McKinney, Texas. I note that the incident is currently being investigated by local US authorities and that the police officer in question has since resigned from his position. Given that the investigation is ongoing, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the media reports.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Travel Statistics (16 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not have this data. Data from the Central Statistics Office’s Household Travel Surveys of 2013 and 2014 show that the number of outbound trips to the Asia were 127,000 in 2013 and 165,000 in 2014 (figures are rounded to the nearest thousand).

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Israeli Settlements (16 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Belgian guidelines which were introduced in July 2014 do not include a mandatory requirement for labeling of settlement goods. As in the case of the earlier UK and Danish guidelines, they provide that labeling where it appears must be accurate, including in relation to settlements. I support the proper labeling of settlement goods, and I hope to see guidelines introduced at EU level, for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Staff (16 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Locally engaged staff at our embassies and consulates general provide valuable support to these missions in promoting Ireland’s interests in the countries where they are accredited. As we operate in almost 80 jurisdictions, it is not feasible nor, in many cases legal, to operate a standard Irish contract. In line with best international practice, our locally engaged staff are...