Results 4,921-4,940 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

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

Charles Flanagan: Turkey is facing a very difficult and challenging situation, not least following the horrific bombing in Ankara on 10 October. It faces internal and external challenges. It is an extremely important partner of the European Union, in particular, as we frame our collective response to the current migrant crisis. The Turkish elections held earlier this week which followed the inconclusive...

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

Charles Flanagan: We will continue to engage with the new Turkish Government on a bilateral basis. I had the opportunity to visit Turkey earlier this year and also through the European Union. I assure the Deputy, lest there be any doubt, that Ireland continues to be a strong supporter of the peace talks between the Turkish Government and the Kurdish Workers' Party. We have been encouraged by the ceasefire...

Other Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Following the request made 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 the return of all five main parties in Northern Ireland to round table talks. The talks resumed on 21 September and are still continuing in a...

Other Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware the Deputy’s party is represented at the talks and I wish to acknowledge the contribution of Martin McGuinness and his team in that regard. The current talks process offers an opportunity for all of us, the governments and the political parties, to agree a comprehensive approach which sees us working collectively to achieve a society free from the shadow of paramilitary...

Other Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: As Deputy Crowe rightly points out, the British Government has agreed, at the request of the five Northern Ireland parties, to introduce legislation for the various legacy institutions, as envisaged under the Stormont House Agreement. The Bill will be introduced in the Commons in the coming weeks with a view towards having the institutions established in the course of 2016. However, aspects...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I will not repeat fully the reply I gave to Priority Question no. 101. I agree it is important that we do everything we can to avoid a further escalation of the situation into a full-scale conflict. The surrounding region offers a salutary lesson of how much worse things could be. It is important in addressing the situation not to focus on the sufferings or shortcomings of one side because...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I again repeat the call for all sides to exercise restraint. The Irish Government and the European Union continue to state clearly that all violence against civilians must end, that both sides should avoid any provocation and that both sides should respect fully the existingstatus quo in respect of holy sites and places. In addition, the European Union is underlining that the lack of a...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Of course, I agree with the Deputy that any response from a security point of view must be proportionate in the circumstances. However, we must also look to the medium and long term. It is important that we reiterate our goal and objective. A negotiated two-state solution remains the objective of Ireland and of the European Union. It is also important that we acknowledge what some...

Northern Ireland: Statements (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I am pleased to have the opportunity to address the House on the current situation in Northern Ireland. In his statement, the Taoiseach outlined the priority which this Government attaches to peace and stability in Northern Ireland. Work to deliver a reconciled and peaceful Northern Ireland as part of a prosperous and inclusive island of Ireland continues every day across government,...

Northern Ireland: Statements (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Members for their contributions, all of which will be the subject of careful consideration on my part. I will return to Belfast early tomorrow morning to co-chair the talks as they reach a critical phase. I will take with me a strong message of support from this House - support for the Good Friday Agreement and the need to safeguard its political institutions; support for victims...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Sustainable Development Goals (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: At the end of September, the Taoiseach led the Irish delegation to the UN Summit in New York which formally adopted a new global development agenda. This includes a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and targets which will guide actions in all countries to eliminate poverty and achieve sustainable development over the next fifteen years. President Higgins and my colleague Minister...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Syrian crisis is first and foremost a tragedy for the Syrian people. Ending the catastrophe which has befallen Syria, and which has imposed enormous burdens on the States neighbouring Syria is critical to the stability of the Middle East region, and the security and safety of the Syrian people and their neighbours. I welcome the announcement on Friday of the understandings by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: It is a matter of public record that collusion occurred during the Troubles between British State forces and paramilitaries. Successive Irish Governments, in our ongoing bilateral relations and through the European Court of Human Rights at Strasbourg, have raised the issue of collusion with the British Government. We continue to do so, including in relation to a number of individual...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Strategy (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I warmly welcomed the announcement earlier this year by my colleague, Minister Paschal Donohoe, T.D., and Mr. Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, of the ‘Ireland’s Ancient East’ tourism offering. Ireland has a rich archaeological heritage that is worthy of being celebrated and shared with the world. The Embassy network works closely with Tourism Ireland and its...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Taoiseach and I, together with Minister of State Sherlock, met with Senator Gary Hart, the US Secretary of State’s Personal Representative, in Dublin on 14 October, to discuss the political situation in Northern Ireland. It was a valuable opportunity to hear the Senator’s impressions of the ongoing talks following his meetings that day and the previous day with the leaders...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Prison issues in Northern Ireland, in particular those affecting prisoners in separated accommodation, regularly arise 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, both of whom I meet on a regular basis in the context of the ongoing political Talks at Stormont....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The 2008 Passports Act provides that I as Minister for Foreign Affairs shall be satisfied as to the identity of each applicant before a passport is issued. This serves to maintain the good reputation and integrity of the Irish passport worldwide which in turn protects Irish citizens as they travel abroad. The witnessing of applications by An Garda Síochána in the state has been a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: 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 foreign military aircraft to land at Irish airports are governed by strict conditions. These include stipulations that the aircraft must be...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Resolutions (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: On 27 October, Ireland joined with the rest of the EU Member States in voting in favour of Cuba’s resolution at the UN General Assembly in New York, which called for the ending of the US economic, commercial and financial embargo on Cuba. In light of the welcome restoration of US-Cuba diplomatic relations earlier this year, the embargo serves no constructive purpose. Ireland, along...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland enjoys a strong and growing bilateral relationship with China. It is therefore no surprise that we also have a thriving trading relationship from which both countries benefit. Trade has grown impressively in recent years to the extent that China was our 9th largest trading partner in 2014, representing around 2 and a half percent of our total trade. In 2014, exports in merchandise...