Results 4,621-4,640 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (24 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I am familiar with the case of Sheikh Ali Salman, Bahrain’s main opposition leader, who was reportedly jailed for four years last week. The apparent arrest, detention and prosecution of Sheikh Ali Salman for the peaceful exercise of the right to freedom of expression is of great concern. Ireland was one of 47 member states who delivered a joint statement expressing serious concern...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (24 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: My Department raised a number of human rights issues with the Iranian authorities in January 2015, during political consultations with the visiting Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr. Takht-Ravanchi. These included the issue of freedom of expression in Iran.I raised human rights issues myself during my meeting with the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mr. Larijani, on 16 June, focusing on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (24 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: There have been no visits by officials from our Embassy in New Delhi to Sri Lanka since the Parliamentary Question No. 213 of 21 April 2015. Our Ambassador accredited to Sri Lanka has however discussed developments in Sri Lanka with the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in New Delhi. The EU recently issued a call to Member States to nominate observers - 18 Long Term Observers and 26 Short Term...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (24 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland has diplomatic relations with Turkmenistan on a non-resident basis through our Embassy in Moscow. On Monday, I participated in the Foreign Affairs Council meeting which adopted conclusions on the EU’s Strategy for Central Asia. I welcome this Strategy under which, among other things, the EU will “further enhance its efforts to address the serious challenges to human...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Commemorative Events (24 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The appalling events at Srebrenica in 1995 have been recognised as genocide by the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. This has been widely accepted by the international community. Ireland has, in the past, joined with our EU partners to condemn any attempts to minimise or deny the genocide which took place at Srebrenica. As we...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Applications (25 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware that a number of Irish citizens have made representations to our Embassy in Ottawa and the Honorary Consulate in Vancouver concerning their position in regard to working visas and in particular the bilateral Working Holiday programme. Under this programme, recipients are advised not to travel until the full formalities are completed. The Canadian authorities advise that it...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (25 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 229 together. During my visit to Gaza earlier this year, I saw first-hand the devastating humanitarian consequences of last year’s conflict, and the particularly difficult impact on children, which compounded already difficult living conditions. As an immediate response to the Gaza crisis, Ireland provided €500,000 to the Emergency...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (30 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: A former Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Dermot Ahern, blocked it in the early stages.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (30 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Opportunism on the Deputy's part.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (30 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: As we approach the 20th anniversary of the terrible atrocity that took place at Srebrenica, we remember the 8,000 victims who lost their lives there. The appalling events at Srebrenica in 1995 have been recognised as genocide by the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. This has been widely accepted by the international community....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Citizenship Applications (30 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: An application for citizenship through Foreign Birth Registration on behalf of the person (details supplied) was received by the Embassy of Ireland in Ottawa on 23 April 2015. I wish to reassure the Deputy that the Department, through the Embassy in Ottawa, has been in direct contact with the individual to clarify the documentation that remains outstanding and has provided them with details...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (30 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: As we approach the 20th anniversary of the terrible atrocity that took place at Srebrenica, we remember the 8,000 victims who lost their lives there. The appalling events at Srebrenica in 1995 have been recognised as genocide by the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. This has been widely accepted by the international community....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (30 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website provides weekly performance reports on actual turnaround periods for Passport Express. Currently the turnaround time for Passport Express is on average ten working days for renewal application and 12 working days for first time applicants or for those who have lost or had their passports stolen. However the Department emphasises, including...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Repatriation Costs (30 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: There are no formal voluntary repatriation/return migration programmes to Ireland. However, through the Emigrant Support Programme, the Government provides funding to organisations that assist Irish people who are considering returning to Ireland e.g. Safehome and Crosscare. The Government’s policy has been to create the economic conditions necessary to make returning to Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Nuclear Proliferation (30 Jun 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland’s long track record in the area of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation dates back to the late 1950s when Ireland’s efforts at the United Nations General Assembly led to the negotiation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). I addressed the NPT Review Conference in New York at its opening on 27 April this year in order to highlight...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (1 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Department currently has a dedicated channel of communication for Oireachtas representatives, and any passport-related queries through this channel are dealt with without delay. Details are regularly circulated to Oireachtas members, most recently on 8 June 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (1 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Expenditure on education and training in my Department in 2014 was €631,686. Based on that figure, the percentage reductions specified by the Deputy would result in the following outcomes: - 2.5%€ 5%€ 10%€ Resulting reductions in expenditure 15,792 31,584 63,169

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (1 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: My Department engages professional service providers in a number of areas where the required skills are not available in-house and it is more cost- effective to source them externally. Details of payments in the twelve months to the end of 2014 are included below in respect of Vote 27 (International Cooperation) and Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade). Vote 27 - €2.305 M Vote 28 -...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (1 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: There are currently 3 Special Advisors employed in my Department. None of them are paid a salary rate above the first point of the Principal Officer scale. Hence there would be no saving to the Exchequer if the Special Advisors’ salary was capped at the first point of the Principal Officer pay scale.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (2 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Since my appointment in July 2014 I have met with the groups listed in the table below, on the dates indicated.The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also receives many requests for meetings at Headquarters and in Missions abroad from a wide-range of groups and individuals whom it is not always possible for me to meet. Date of meeting Details of meeting 27 August 2014 Meeting with...