Results 5,221-5,240 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (17 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 521 and 522 together. Achieving relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the US and agreement on a facility for future legal migration between Ireland and the US is a priority in the Government’s relationship with the United States. Our Embassy in Washington and Consulates elsewhere in the US are active in advocating immigration reform and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (17 Dec 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 €135m has been provided to organisations dealing with Irish emigrants since the establishment of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (17 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I have made clear in the House my view that the peace process in the Middle East is currently at a standstill, and that the international community needs to do more to attempt to break this deadlock. The violent events in recent months have clearly demonstrated the risks of the continued political vacuum. The Foreign Affairs Council in July adopted Conclusions on the Middle East Process,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (17 Dec 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 combatting 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: North South Ministerial Council (17 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: A meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in plenary format was held in Armagh on Friday 11 December 2015. This was the 21stPlenary meeting of the NSMC. At the meeting Ministers discussed the Fresh StartAgreement and the work to be undertaken by officials to review North South infrastructure projects. The Council also welcomed the commitment in Fresh Start to tackle...

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

Charles Flanagan: Ireland’s positive links with Cuba have grown steadily in recent years, in particular since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries in 1999 and the opening of the Cuban embassy in Dublin in 2001. As I have stated before, I wish to see this relationship develop further. Cuba and Ireland held bilateral consultations in April of this year during the visit...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (17 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: A number of elements of the Good Friday Agreement and St Andrews Agreement have not yet been fully implemented including an Irish Language Act, a North South Consultative Forum, and Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. The Government’s firm position is that these Agreements must be implemented in full. The Agreements, as well as the principles and values underpinning them, are at the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Appointments to State Boards (17 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 532 and 533 together. There are no State Boards under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Commencement of Legislation (17 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Specific provisions of Acts under my Department that have not yet been commenced are Sections 14(8) and 14(9) of the Passports Act 2008. These Sections of the Passports Act, if commenced, would provide that guardians’ consent to the issuing of a passport would be considered to be enduring for the child up to the age of 18. The commencement of these provisions, including required...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Living Wage (17 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The potential cost of introducing an hourly rate of €11.50 per hour within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade could be up to €500,000 per annum. This is dependent on the number of temporary staff employed in the Passport Service during the peak season and therefore very difficult to estimate. The remuneration of the staff of my Department is as sanctioned by the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (13 Jan 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The welfare of this citizen remains a key priority for me and my Department. All our actions are in support of our twin objectives of securing his release at the earliest opportunity, and caring for his welfare while he remains in detention. To that end, Embassy officials undertake regular and frequent consular visits with this citizen and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (13 Jan 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 715 to 717, inclusive, together. On 27 October 2015, Ireland and the other Member States of the European Union voted in favour of Cuba’s resolution at the UN General Assembly in New York calling for the ending of the US economic, commercial and financial embargo on Cuba. Our view is that following the welcome restoration of US-Cuba diplomatic...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Appointments to State Boards (13 Jan 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I have not nominated any individual to serve in a position carrying remuneration, other than out of pocket expenses, in a semi-State organisation or organisation of the type referred to by the Deputy since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in July 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (13 Jan 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Over the next five years, Ireland will contribute €3 million to the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Stability and Addressing Root Causes of Irregular Migration and Displaced Persons in Africa. Respect for Human Rights is central to the objectives of the Fund, recognising that human rights abuses are themselves a root cause of irregular migration. The Final Declaration agreed by all...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (13 Jan 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The protection and promotion of human rights has long been a cornerstone of Irish foreign policy. Our membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council (2013 to 2015) afforded us the opportunity to underline and reinforce that commitment at the very heart of the global human rights’ machinery. Respect for human rights is also fundamental to the EU’s foreign policy. Since...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Immigration Policy (13 Jan 2016)

Charles Flanagan: As part of its comprehensive approach to addressing the Migration crisis the EU has been deepening its engagement with third countries in its neighbourhood. This recognises the fact that the majority of migrants entering the EU in recent months transit such third countries. In an increasingly interconnected world, all countries are mutually reliant on each other as regards effective migration...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (13 Jan 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Passports Act, 2008 (the Act) requires that each person who is a guardian of a child must provide his/her consent to the issue of a passport to his/her child. In the vast majority of cases the witnessed consent of parents or legal guardians is given on the application form. This record is sufficient to meet the consent requirements of the Act. However, there are cases where only one...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (13 Jan 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The information as requested by the Deputy on the number of annual subscriptions to external membership bodies and groups made by my Department, including the cost and details, is set out in the table below: Name of Organisation Details Annual subscription fee in 2015 € Institute of Public Administration Governance Forum The Governance Forum is a network providing events and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (13 Jan 2016)

Charles Flanagan: In 2015, the Department’s Library spent €208,537 on subscriptions to 82 print and online newspapers and magazines for headquarters and Missions abroad. The Department has a network of 80 Diplomatic, Consular and other offices overseas. Missions abroad perform a wide range of functions in pursuit of Ireland’s foreign policy interests, including representing and advancing...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Advertising Expenditure (13 Jan 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28: Foreign Affairs and Trade; and Vote 27: International Cooperation. There are no agencies under the aegis of my Department. Advertising undertaken by my Department relates mainly to notification of changes to passport and consular fees, public office opening hours, and occasional notices concerning...