Results 4,901-4,920 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (22 Oct 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The clearly deteriorating security situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, in particular around East Jerusalem, is a matter of very great concern to me, as it is to the wider international community. The visit to the region this week by the UN Secretary General underlines the depth of this concern. While I appreciate the frustration of those who see no political end in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (22 Oct 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland, like our EU partners, has a strong and unequivocal opposition to the death penalty at all times and in all circumstances and accordingly seeks its universal abolition. The reports of the execution of persons who committed crimes as minors by the Islamic Republic of Iran are deeply worrying and I echo the comments made by The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Summary Executions,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (22 Oct 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTI individuals is a key priority for Ireland in our international human rights advocacy, including our engagement at the UN Human Rights Council, at EU meetings and through our diplomatic network. Ireland attaches importance to combating all forms of discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity and we strongly believe that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Shannon Airport Facilities (22 Oct 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 317 and 318 together. The Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952 gives the Minister for Foreign Affairs primary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland. Arrangements under which permission is granted for military aircraft, including US aircraft, to land at Irish airports are governed by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Commemorative Events (22 Oct 2015)

Charles Flanagan: December 14th2015 marks the 60thanniversary of Ireland’s membership of the United Nations. Our engagement with the United Nations has been, and continues to be, central to our foreign policy, and it was a privilege for Ireland to play such a central role in the final negotiations on the Sustainable Development Goals in this, our anniversary year. In May of this year, my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Sustainable Development Strategy (22 Oct 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 324 and 325 together. At the end of September, the Taoiseach led the Irish delegation at the UN Summit in New York where world leaders ratified a new global development agenda, including a detailed new set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets. The SDGs are universally applicable and will guide the actions of all countries in their efforts...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Following the request by the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Sean Sherlock, and I, together with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Ms Theresa Villiers, facilitated a return of the five main parties in Northern Ireland to round table talks. The talks resumed in round table format on 21 September and are continuing...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The recent assessment report makes for sober reading. It states that all the main paramilitary groups operating during the period of the Troubles remain in existence, including the provisional IRA and a number of loyalist groups and organisations. The assessment adds that the structures of the provisional IRA remain in existence, but in a much reduced form, and that the leadership of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: It is important that all parties under the facilitation of the two Governments commit themselves to the full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement. I am listening closely to what the Deputy has said in that regard. Let me assure the House that it was always the intention that the current round of talks would be focused and intensive. There is no doubt that in recent days the talks...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The clearly deteriorating situation in Palestine and east Jerusalem, which is now spreading to other areas, is a matter of very great concern. The main factors are the operation of policies on the ground intended to push Palestinians out of Jerusalem in favour of settlers, the absence of any political process which might promise an end to this situation and, among Palestinians, the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Many of us have seen the most disturbing video clips in recent times of civilians on both sides being killed. Some Israeli citizens have been murdered in clearly sectarian attacks. A greater number of Palestinian civilians have been killed, many of whom have not been directly involved in any attacks. There are also concerns that so many of the attackers, despite lacking firearms, were shot...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I confirm that as far as Ireland and the Irish Government are concerned, a negotiated two-state solution is our goal. It has been for some time and continues to be. It also continues to be the objective of the European Union. With particular reference to the settlements, the EU has consistently asserted that they are illegal and has condemned their continued expansion and all policies...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Human Rights Issues (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputy for asking this question. It is one in which I have taken a very active role since becoming Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade last year. Significant resources in Cairo and in Dublin continue to be deployed in the provision of comprehensive consular assistance to this citizen. The key focus of our extensive engagement on this complex and sensitive case remains...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Human Rights Issues (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I assure the Deputy that the Government has formally supported several applications that have been made by lawyers acting for and on behalf of this citizen for his release on bail and under a presidential decree. As an example of our ongoing interest in and commitment to this case, within the past hour I spoke at length to my colleague, the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Mr. Sameh Shoukry. I...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Human Rights Issues (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I have not been to Cairo in recent times. However, on my visit to Cairo last year I certainly had an opportunity to raise the issue. As recently as 1 p.m. this afternoon I had the opportunity of direct engagement on the issue. On the specific issue the Deputy raised regarding the international journalist, it is very clear to me from all the contacts I have made and from studying the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Peace Process (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I have long warned of the danger of a peace process which is effectively in suspension and not visible on the ground. As I have previously reported to the House, I have consistently argued in the Foreign Affairs Council that the EU needs to retain a focus on the conflict in Israel and Palestine, and to do more. I am encouraged that High Representative, Federica Mogherini, has shared my...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Peace Process (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: It is important that every effort be made on the part of politicians both in the region and on the international stage to ensure there is a meaningful process, without which people on both extremes resort to violence. It is important, in the first instance, that a measure of respect be shown to the status quoon the matter of holy places and sites. Full respect must be restored and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Peace Process (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: It is important the international community continues to exhort, influence and advocate, in so far as it can, continued encouragement for the two-state solution. I believe it is important in the first instance that measures be taken to de-escalate the violent activity in Jerusalem and the region. The expansion of the settlements continues to narrow the window of possibility of bringing...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Peace Process (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: However, the cost of abandoning the two-state solution will not be borne by the international community alone but by all Israelis and all Palestinians and it, of course, remains the best hope for the future of politics in the region.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The appalling attack on the peace rally in Ankara on 10 October, in which 102 people lost their lives and many more suffered serious injuries, was shocking to us all. I wish to reiterate my condemnation of this attack, which the Turkish authorities believe was carried out by individuals linked to Islamic State. In a statement, I expressed my condolences to the families of the deceased, to...