Results 4,981-5,000 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

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

Charles Flanagan: My Department has regular contact with the Israeli Embassy here in Dublin on a range of issues. The Department does not hesitate to raise issues of concern directly with the Israeli Embassy, if that is deemed the most appropriate channel.

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

Charles Flanagan: My Department has received reports from the European Union Expert Election Mission on the first phase of Egypt's parliamentary election. This first phase took place on 18 - 19 October, in 14 out 27 governorates. According to the High Election Committee, 27,402,353 voters were registered to vote in these governorates at 13,485 polling stations (PS) located in 5,459 polling centres....

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

Charles Flanagan: The issues raised by the Deputy relate to the sanctions placed on Iran as part of the dispute over aspects of Iran's nuclear programme. There were no sanctions on food exports, nor were there general sanctions on Iranian banking. However, over time most individual banks in Iran were placed under sanctions because of their involvement in efforts to evade the sanctions on the nuclear and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Allowances (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Officials serving the State abroad are assigned a rent allowance to enable them to rent suitable accommodation in which to live. The Department uses an independent advisory service to provide information on the setting of suitable rent ceilings in all Mission locations, including in the United Kingdom and throughout Europe.In setting rent ceilings, the Department also takes into account the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Shannon Airport Facilities (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, including that the aircraft must carry no arms, ammunition or...

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

Charles Flanagan: The current system of Gardaí witnessing passport application forms has been a vital element of the identity verification for the Passport Service, as it provides initial assurance that the person in the photograph is the same person presenting to submit the passport application form. Also in the case of an application for a minor it provides evidence that both parents give consent for a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Air Navigation Orders (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I can confirm that no request was made to my Department to date in 2015 to permit overflight or landing by the type of aircraft to which the Deputy refers.

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

Charles Flanagan: While the State does not provide for appointments of goodwill ambassadors of this nature, I am pleased to hear of this manifestation of the vibrancy of the Irish community in San Diego, and the great work being done by members of this community to support their fellow citizens in the Bay Area. Their work is very much appreciated and I have asked my Department to draw the attention of our...

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

Charles Flanagan: I have seen reports of ideas floated by some Israeli leaders for security measures which might be taken in response to the present crisis in Jerusalem, including revocation of residency. I would repeat first of all my view that, while security measures to prevent violent attacks may be necessary, an attempt to deal with this crisis just through security measures will not succeed, or will at...

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

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the difficult position of refugees in Tindouf, most of whom have been living there for up to forty years. The climate in this region is extremely harsh. Access to basic resources such as food, water, healthcare, housing and education, and opportunities for employment are very limited. This year, the EU has provided €10 million to improve the living conditions of the...

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

Charles Flanagan: The Passports Act, 2008 provides, among other things, that only Irish citizens are entitled to be issued with Irish passports. Each application received by the Department must, therefore, contain evidence that demonstrates that person’s entitlement to Irish citizenship before a passport can issue. The two children in question were born in the State in 2011 and 2012. Their entitlement...

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

Charles Flanagan: The 2008 Passports Act provides that the 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: EU Migration Crisis (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The scale of the migration challenge facing the EU is an enormous one requiring a comprehensive and coherent response. The political and economic circumstances behind the displacement of millions of people must be addressed, if the flow of migrants is to be managed. The conflict in Syria (which is the biggest driver behind this year’s migrant flows) has led to the world’s...

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

Charles Flanagan: The Foreign Affairs Council is responsible for framing and overseeing implementation of the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), taking account of orientations given by the European Council. CFSP positions continue to be formulated in accordance with the relevant provisions of the EU Treaties. The issues mentioned by the Deputy appear to relate essentially to...

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

Charles Flanagan: Turkeywas granted Candidate status by the European Council in December 1999 and the European Council agreed to begin accession negotiations in December 2004. Fourteen out of thirty-five Chapters have been opened for negotiation, of which one has been provisionally closed. Progress has been slow, due in part to Turkey’s relationship with Cyprus. Ireland takes the view that the accession...

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

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 893 and 906 together. There are currently five countries which have Candidate Status, including four in the Western Balkans – Turkey, Montenegro, Serbia, Macedonia, and Albania. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are potential candidate countries. Ireland has long been a supporter of Enlargement, which is a conditional process: the European Commission...

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

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 894 and 899 together. Ireland and its EU partners strongly endorse the efforts of the United Nations to renew peace negotiations based on the 2012 Geneva communique principles, in particular the ending of violence, the formation of a transitional governing body with full executive powers and a constitutional reform process which would protect...

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

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 895 and 896 together. Together with our EU partners, I fully support the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions to address the threat posed to international peace and security by the ISIS group, consistent with international law. In this context, Security Council Resolution 2170 (2014) recalled that “widespread or systematic attacks against...

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

Charles Flanagan: The brutal activities of Boko Haram continue to represent a serious threat to the peace and security of Nigeria, and to the wider region. They also involve the clear and persistent abuse of human rights, especially of women and girls. The abduction in April 2014 of more than 200 schoolgirls from Chibok appalled the world. It has been one of a number of attacks on defenceless young people,...

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

Charles Flanagan: There is no doubt that the continuing effects of the economic and fiscal crisis, combined with the ongoing challenges of globalisation and demographic change, have had consequences for public confidence in EU institutions – as is also the case for national institutions in many countries. This in turn has led to some rise in support for those who are sceptical towards or are in...