Results 5,481-5,500 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The five-year long conflict in Syria has been brutal, with more than 400,000 people dead, and consistent violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by parties to the conflict. Ireland strongly condemns the deliberate blocking of food aid to civilians as a tactic in this brutal war. 90% of civilians under siege are victims of the Assad regime. I deplore in the strongest...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Reports (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My Department is closely following developments in Brazil in light of the ongoing political situation, including the suspension of President Dilma Rousseff and our Embassy in Brazil provides regular reporting on the latest developments and their possible repercussions. The events are also the subject of ongoing discussion at EU level in Brussels. Ireland and our EU partners share the view...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UK Referendum on EU Membership (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Government's position on the EU-UK question is clear and has been outlined on many occasions: while respecting that this is a decision for the UK voters to make on 23 June, as our friend, closest neighbour and partner, we want the UK to remain as a member of the European Union. My Ministerial colleagues and I have been active in our engagement with the UK Government, and with our EU...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Government is committed to recognising the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict. The Government works consistently to achieve a free, independent and sovereign Palestinian state, not just in theory but in fact, and all of our actions on the Israeli/Palestinian issue are directed to that end. It is central to our objective of a two state solution that will...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I have repeatedly condemned the horrific crimes by ISIS against religious and ethnic minorities in Syria and Iraq. ISIS has boasted of its use of murder, torture, mass sexual violence and forced religious conversions in areas under its control. Ireland has publicly condemned ISIS and other terrorist groups at the United Nations, including at the Human Rights Council. I note that the High...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The need for the EU-Turkey agreement to comply with EU and international law was a key concern for very many Member States, including Ireland when the agreement was being negotiated by EU Heads of State and Government in March. Ireland raised it several times before the European Council, including at the General Affairs Council. The legal advice of the EU institutions was that there is such...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: In the course of Egypt’s Universal Periodic Review, which took place during our membership of the UN Human Rights Council, Ireland made a recommendation that “Egypt retract the draft legislation on civil society organisations, which threatens their independence by enabling the government to dissolve them without a court order or refuse to license new organisations on grounds...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My visit to Belfast last week was my first since my re-appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. I undertook a series of meetings with political, community and sports representatives. During my visit, I put forward the Government’s position on the UK-EU Referendum and our priorities in the new Programme for Government, which has detailed commitments in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Significant resources continue to be deployed by my Department, both in Cairo and in Dublin, in support of our objectives in this case. Those objectives, as previously reported to the House, are to seek the release of this citizen at the earliest opportunity so that he can return to his family and his studies in Ireland, and to provide consular assistance to the citizen and his family while...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The UNICEF report for the fourth quarter of 2015 confirms the tragic picture of which we were already aware, and which was the subject of much discussion in this House and elsewhere at the time. The deaths and other casualties detailed in the report relate largely to the outbreak of a wave of violent incidents from October last year, first in Jerusalem and then spreading to other cities. I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My Department has been working closely with our Embassy in New Delhi and the Consulate in Mumbai to provide consular assistance to the family of the Irish citizen at the centre of this tragic case, and officials remain in ongoing direct contact with the family. In the course of the past 17 months, my Department has provided extensive consular assistance in this case. My Department assisted...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UK Referendum on EU Membership (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 149 together. The outcome of this referendum is, first and foremost, a decision for UK voters to make on 23 June. However, Ireland has a unique perspective and interest in the outcome of the referendum which extends to our business sector and our mutually beneficial trading relationship. We trade around €1.2 billion of goods and services...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I have repeatedly condemned the horrific crimes by ISIS against religious and ethnic minorities in Syria and Iraq. ISIS has boasted of its use of murder, torture, mass sexual violence and forced religious conversions in areas under its control. Ireland has publicly condemned ISIS and other terrorist groups at the United Nations, including at the Human Rights Council. I note that the High...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I can assure the Deputy that the Government and my Department are continuing to pursue every constructive avenue to secure the release of this citizen and we will continue to bring all of our influence to bear on his behalf through all appropriate channels. All of the sustained and focused actions that have been taken by the Taoiseach, myself and other Ministers, and by my Department and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 146 together. The locations currently experiencing war, starvation, genocide, violence against women and children, and the use of child soldiers remain a constant concern to the EU, UN and wider global community. The priorities set out following the Foreign Policy Review in ‘The Global Island’ recognise that we are increasingly...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Government has consistently condemned the acts of violence being perpetrated by Boko Haram, which have resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of an estimated 2.2 million people. The brutal activities of Boko Haram continue to represent a serious threat to the peace and security of Nigeria, and to the wider region, including Cameroon, Chad and Niger. They also involve the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The rise of ultra-nationalist movements which are not committed to democratic means, in some states in Europe, is clearly of great concern. Given its particular history, Europe has to be vigilant to the false promises of extremist ideologies with their simplistic solutions to complex problems. Where extreme movements – of whatever political hue – advocate violent responses...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Development (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The question is open to a number of possible interpretations. On the issue of euro-scepticism, it is complex and multifaceted, but euro-scepticism is by no means a majority position across the EU or its Member States. Governments and citizens across Europe continue to hold broadly positive views on the European Union. Our Union’s positive image depends to a large degree on its...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Achieving relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the US and agreement on a facility for future legal migration between Ireland and the US remains a priority for the new Government. Our Embassy in Washington and Consulates elsewhere in the US are active in advocating immigration reform and the issue is also regularly addressed in high level political contacts between Ireland and the US...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: All passport applications are issued in accordance with the Passport Act 2008. In processing the application, the Passport Service has to establish the identity of the applicant and their entitlement to citizenship under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act. The Passport Service offers a number of ways for applicants to submit their application. The applicant must select the...