Results 5,001-5,020 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

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

Charles Flanagan: Ireland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur or who the victims are. We attach great importance to combating all forms of discrimination based on religion or belief and incitement to religious hatred. We firmly believe in tolerance, non-discrimination, freedom of expression, freedom of thought, conscience, religion...

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

Charles Flanagan: As previously stated, the advancement of Ireland’s trade, tourism, investment and education promotion objectives is a central aspect of Ireland’s foreign policy and of the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and its Embassy network. While the majority of Irish services and merchandise exports go to Europe and the US and we must continue to cultivate these...

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

Charles Flanagan: The EU is at the forefront of international efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. The key to resolving the conflict remains the comprehensive implementation of the Minsk Agreements. This requires a genuine and complete ceasefire, the removal of heavy weapons and progress on the political track, including arrangements for local elections in eastern Ukraine, the withdrawal of all...

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

Charles Flanagan: 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 securing this citizen’s best interests in so far as we can, working to see him released by the Egyptian authorities at the earliest possible opportunity and...

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

Charles Flanagan: Officers are granted career breaks and re-instated following career breaks as per the terms and conditions of Department Of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 4/13 Career Break Scheme in the Civil Service. This Circular revoked and replaced earlier provisions set out in Circular 18/1998 -Special Leave without pay for career breaks, LP 3/3/2008 - Special leave without pay for career...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (4 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 Supreme Court decision in question dealt with a child born to non-EU parents in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (4 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The question of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) has been the subject of resolutions adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations, as well as its special committee on decolonisation. In its most recent resolution, adopted on 25 June 2015, the committee expressed its regret that, in spite of the widespread international support for negotiation between the two Governments,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (4 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: Departmental Staff Data (4 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade attaches a high priority to language proficiency. In accordance with the Official Languages Act 2003 and the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language, my Department is committed toincreasing the number of functional bilingual officials, to promoting the use of the Irish language and to delivering services in Irish. The most recent skills audit of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Funding (4 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: though hardly any of the organisations funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are directly audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General, I am satisfied that, as a general principle, organisations allocated funding under the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s two Votes (Vote 27 – International Co-operation and Vote 28 – Foreign Affairs and Trade)...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Relocation (5 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Officers in my Department seek internal transfers within the organisation and they are facilitated as part of the regular rotation of staff between missions abroad and HQ. Officers applying for a transfer between this Department and other Departments are advised to seek a “Head to Head” transfer. Regarding transfers to other Government offices outside Dublin, two Executive...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (5 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been providing consular assistance to the family of the Irish citizen through the Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi, the Honorary Consul in Mumbai and the Consular Assistance unit in Dublin, and we are in ongoing direct contact with the family. Upon receipt of the death certificate of the Irish citizen in February, my Department forwarded the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (5 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I am indeed fully aware of this high-profile human rights case. In conjunction with our EU partners in Saudi Arabia, our serious concerns about this case have been conveyed to the Saudi authorities through diplomatic channels. We can have the greatest impact on matters of foreign policy, including human rights, when the 28 EU Member States speak with one voice, as in the case in this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Awards to Irish Citizens (10 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The reference in Article 40.2.2oof the Constitution to "title of nobility or of honour" has been interpreted, in accordance with advice from the Attorney General, as only referring to honours conferred by or on behalf of a sovereign authority, the recipients of which become entitled, by the law or custom of the foreign state in question, to use prefixes to their names such as...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (10 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland does not take a position on the respective claims and underlying sovereignty issues driving this matter. However, we are concerned at the potential for a dangerous escalation of tensions in the area in question. Our strong wish is to see these differences resolved peacefully, and in accordance with international law.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (10 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Turkish elections held earlier this week followed the inconclusive result in June and took place in a particularly difficult and sensitive context. Turkey is facing a very difficult and challenging situation, including as host to over 2 million refugees mainly from the conflict in neighbouring Syria and following the horrific bombing in Ankara on 10 October. It faces internal and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (10 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Irish Embassy in Hanoi, which is accredited to Myanmar, is aware of this case. Ireland has raised this case with the EU Delegation in Yangon. The EU Delegation has been monitoring this case, and will continue to do so. Ireland has long been an advocate of human rights defenders, including throughout our current membership of the Human Rights Council. We strongly support the central...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Treaties (10 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: In a referendum held on 9 February 2014, Swiss citizens voted by a very narrow margin to accept a proposal to introduce quotas and restrictions on migrants, the vast majority of whom are EU nationals. The limits will apply to all work and residency permits issued to foreign nationals, including cross-border commuters and asylum seekers. The referendum text did not specify at what levels the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Allowances (10 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Rent ceilings currently paid to officers serving the State at a number of locations in the United Kingdom and mainland Europe are set out below. The relative size of the properties rented varies according to family size. While most officers travel accompanied by their families, in some cases officers travel unaccompanied by their spouse/partners and children, or are accompanied by some family...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (10 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: My Department has received a request in relation to the reconciliation related costs associated with the visit earlier this year to Sligo by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. However, no decision has yet been made on that request and it continues to receive attention.