Results 5,021-5,040 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

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

Charles Flanagan: I welcome the publication of this valuable report by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) that was commissioned by the Department of Finance. It has already served to deepen our understanding of the various and complex issues that arise for Ireland in connection with a potential change in the nature of the UK’s relationship with the EU. The findings of the study are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Travel Advice (10 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: It was with great shock and sadness that I learned of the air disaster over the Sinai Peninsula on 31 October, which resulted in the tragic loss of so many lives. On behalf of the people and the Government of Ireland, I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to all Russian people during this difficult time. Travel advice for individual countries worldwide, including the level of caution...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Investment Projects (11 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: My Department has responsibility for two Votes (Vote 27 - International Co-operation and Vote 28 – Foreign Affairs and Trade) and neither Vote has a large volume of capital expenditure. In 2014, total capital expenditure under Vote 27 was €0.31m and all related to expenditure overseas in priority Programme Countries for Irish Aid. Under Vote 28, a total of €5.167m was...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (11 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: In my replies to Questions last week, I listed a number of measures that were needed to try to stop the recent deterioration. These included clear and positive action by local leaders; security measures that were proportionate and even-handed; a response that went beyond just security; refraining from provocative words and actions, and making clear that the status quo in the Holy Places would...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (12 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been providing consular assistance to the Irish citizen and his family through the Embassy of Ireland in Singapore, the Honorary Consul in Manila and the Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin and we are in ongoing direct contact with the family. In October, during a visit to the Philippines, an Embassy official raised the case with the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (17 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I assume the Deputy refers to the recent elections in Turkey, when President Erdoğan’s AKP party was returned with an overall majority. I last met with President Erdoğan when I visited Turkey earlier this year in the context of the centenary commemorations at Gallipoli, when the warm relationship between Ireland and Turkey was recalled. As I have said previously in this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Terrorism (17 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: It was with great shock and sadness that I learned about the tragic loss of so many lives in the terrible air disaster over the Sinai Peninsula on 31 October. The Taoiseach has written to Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to convey the sympathies of the Government and the Irish people. I would also like to express again my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and their loved...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Israeli Settlements (17 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The guidance on indications of origin of settlement produce adopted by the European Commission on 11 November has been produced in response to requests by myself and other Ministers over some time, and I therefore welcome its appearance. The guidance does not change the regulations in force, but draws the attention of importers and retailers to the simple fact that Israeli settlements in the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: North South Ministerial Council (17 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Ministers from the Government and from the Northern Ireland Executive meet regularly to discuss matters of mutual interest within the agreed sectors of co-operation. I understand, therefore, that aspects of biosecurity, including plant life and health, food safety, the protection of the environment and the control of invasive species have been discussed within the Council by the relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (17 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland and its EU partners oppose the death penalty in all circumstances, and work for its suspension and abolition around the world. Abolition of the death penalty has been one of Ireland’s priorities at the United Nations. I have noted with concern the increased use of the death penalty in a number of countries, including Saudi Arabia. In conjunction with our EU partners, our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (17 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: My Department is aware of the case of this Irish citizen who is currently detained in Low Moss Prison, Glasgow. Officials in our Consulate General in Edinburgh have written to the individual earlier this month offering consular assistance, and await a response.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Union Membership (17 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I welcome Prime Minister Cameron’s letter of 10 November to the President of the European Council, Mr. Donald Tusk, in which he provided further details of his government’s EU reform agenda. This represents an important step forward and we now look forward to working with the UK Government and our 26 other EU partners in securing an agreement that will hopefully help ensure...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (18 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I can confirm that Minister Fitzgerald raised the case with the Egyptian Foreign Minister at the Valletta Summit on Migration that took place last week.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (19 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Emigrant Support Programme (ESP), provides funding to non-profit organisations and projects to support Irish communities overseas and to facilitate the development of more strategic links between Ireland and the global Irish. Over €135 million has been provided to organisations dealing with Irish emigrants since the establishment of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (19 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Emigrant Support Programme (ESP), provides funding to non-profit organisations and projects to support Irish communities overseas and to facilitate the development of more strategic links between Ireland and the global Irish. A total of €11.595 million has been allocated to the Emigrant Support Programme for 2016. The funding cycle...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (19 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I attended the most recent Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) meeting in Brussels on 16 November. The Council took place in the shadow of the terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday night. At noon, Foreign Ministers joined people across Europe in observing a minute’s silence in memory of those killed. I also personally conveyed the condolences of the Irish people to France’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (19 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 204 and 205 together. While the circumstances around this event are unclear, I am very concerned about such an operation taking place in a hospital and there are clearly questions to be answered in that regard. In the present tense and dangerous circumstances in the area, I have made clear that any security actions need to be proportionate and carefully...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Data Protection (19 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: My Department has not introduced any such legislation since 1 January 2000 to date.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Defined Benefit Pension Schemes (19 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: With regard to staff of my Department, the calculation and payment of superannuation benefits is a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Staff of the former Agency for Personal Service Overseas (APSO) were integrated into the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2003. Two former APSO staff and a spouse of a deceased APSO staff member are in receipt of public sector...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (24 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. My Department recently assisted the family in having the death certificate authenticated by the...