Results 4,661-4,680 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Expenditure (9 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The work of our missions around the world continues to be important in Ireland’s economic recovery and the restoration of our international reputation. Our embassies’ work in support of Ireland’s interests include: promoting Ireland as a source of high-quality exports, a destination for investment, research, study and tourism to targeted audiences and contacts;...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Expenditure (9 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The work of our missions around the world continues to be important in Ireland’s economic recovery and the restoration of our international reputation. Our embassies’ work in support of Ireland’s interests include: promoting Ireland as a source of high-quality exports, a destination for investment, research, study and tourism to targeted audiences and contacts;...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Expenditure (9 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The work of our missions around the world continues to be important in Ireland’s economic recovery and the restoration of our international reputation. Our embassies' work in support of Ireland’s interests include: promoting Ireland as a source of high-quality exports, a destination for investment, research, study and tourism to targeted audiences and contacts; supporting trade...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (9 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: In the past five years over 630,000 passports have been issued annually by the Passport Service. Demand is currently up 4.5% over of the same period last year, meaning we are currently on track to issue 655,000 passports this year. Queries received by the Department through the dedicated channel of communication for Oireachtas representatives are dealt with without delay. When the Passport...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Greek Referendum Result (9 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 247 and 251 together. The Government has noted the result of the referendum in Greece. The position of the Irish Government is that we will continue to engage in an effort to reach a successful outcome. Following the referendum, Finance Ministers of the euro area Member States (the Eurogroup) met in Brussels to take stock of developments and to try to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (9 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the tragic case in question and I deeply sympathise with the victim’s family on their loss. Without knowing the precise truth of the matter, serious questions should be asked in any responsible jurisdiction in a case where lethal force is used in such circumstances. I have expressed for some time in discussions at EU level my concern that the use of lethal force against...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (9 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland fully supports the removal of the terrorist threat posed by the ISIS group, consistent with international law. Airstrikes have been conducted against ISIS in Iraq and Syria for a number of months. It is for individual States to determine in what way they might best contribute to the concerted international effort underway to tackle the threat posed by ISIS and other fundamentalist...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Air Accident Investigations (9 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH 17 over eastern Ukraine on 17 July 2014 resulted in the tragic loss of 298 innocent lives. This event was met around the world with widespread shock and condemnation. On 21 July 2014 the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2166, which Ireland co-sponsored, calling for a full, thorough and independent investigation into the crash in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: International Terrorism (14 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: We have all been deeply shocked and saddened by the recent event at Sousse in Tunisia, where three Irish citizens lost their lives in this terrible atrocity. I condemn unreservedly these terrorist attacks and other recent attacks elsewhere. I take this opportunity to again convey my deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the families of the three Irish citizens who lost their lives...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: International Terrorism (14 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Deputy Smith makes an important point in respect of registration. In addition to publishing travel advice and ensuring the travel advice is constantly under review and updated in accordance with the information received and the circumstances on the ground, we operate a citizen registration facility which allows Irish citizens to register their contact details with the Department of Foreign...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: International Terrorism (14 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: In Tunisia and a number of destinations where Irish citizens travel, we do not have a resident full-time ambassadorial presence. In that regard, we rely significantly on our good relations with neighbour states, in particular, EU states. There is a positive and active relationship to ensure we have assistance on the ground in the first instance but also that we have the appropriate...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (14 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement remains a priority of the Government and continues to be a key focus in contacts with the Northern Ireland Executive and the British Government. The Taoiseach and the Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, discussed implementation of the Agreement at their meeting in London on 18 June, underlining the collective benefit of full implementation....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (14 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will be aware that the Agreement also provides for the Northern Ireland Executive to consider whether devolution of other fiscal powers, including the aggregates levy, stamp duty and the landfill tax, would result in a clear economic or social benefit for Northern Ireland. The recently published Stormont House implementation progress report notes that the options have been prepared...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (14 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: In all my contacts with the Northern Ireland parties over recent months, I have underlined, and will continue to underline, the importance of finding workable solutions to the crucial issues, with particular reference, as stated by the Deputy, to budgetary and welfare issues. I point to the Stormont House Agreement as having the potential to benefit Northern Ireland across a wide range of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (14 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Prison issues in Northern Ireland, in particular those affecting prisoners in separated accommodation, regularly feature in my discussions with Northern Ireland Minister of Justice, David Ford, MLA, and, on non-devolved matters, with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, MP. In my contacts, I emphasise the importance of building trust between separated prisoners and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (14 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: It is in everybody's interest to advance matters. I invite the Deputy to agree with me that the recommendations made in the Stocktake report represent the way forward. The Northern Ireland Prison Service has accepted the recommendation made in the report that forum meetings take place at least once every two months with an agreed agenda. If there is an agreed agenda, the types of issue or...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (14 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: If there is any perceived delay in the implementation of the recommendations made in the Stocktake report, it is important that the issues be addressed. The report, produced by the independent assessment team, was transmitted to Minister Ford and representatives of the prison late last year. It clearly addresses a number of grievances and issues on which progress should be made. It has not...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (14 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I agree with Deputy Smith that the important issue currently is to ensure the full implementation of all aspects of the Stormont House Agreement. I mentioned in response to Deputy Ó Snodaigh that there are urgent and challenging issues relating to finance. There is a small window of opportunity in the course of the next few weeks which will provide the five party leaders and their...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (14 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I share the concern expressed by Deputy Smith and others about the incidents of violence last night on the streets of Belfast. I believe it is important that the rule of law obtain and I am pleased to report this morning that a number of arrests have been made, charges have been laid and those people will be brought before the courts at the earliest opportunity. It is important we all use...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (14 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I, too, had an opportunity to watch the most recent television programmes dealing with the subject of collusion. It remains a matter of public record that collusion occurred between British state forces and paramilitaries during the course of the Troubles. In our ongoing bilateral relations and through the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, we have raised with the British...