Results 5,561-5,580 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (16 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: As advised in the briefing on the passport applications process that I circulated to Members on 26 May, I am pleased to confirm that the Passport Service already offers a passport reminder service to customers. The reminder service, which can be accessed via the Passport Service web pages at www.passport.ie, sends an e-mail both three months and six months before a passport is due to expire...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Properties (16 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: All rent commitments relating to properties in the State occupied by the Department of Foreign Affairs are discharged by the Office of Public Works. In addition, 113 properties are rented by my Department outside the State for use primarily as offices and official residences. Rental agreements vary from country to country in accordance with local law and practice. Leases are usually for a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (21 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I welcome the democratic transition which is currently underway in Myanmar following the historic elections which took place there in November 2015. The transition is still in its early phases, and there are many challenges facing the new Government in its efforts to bring peace and reconciliation, democratic reforms, and development and economic growth to all its people. I welcome the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Fairs (21 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: As the world’s second largest economy, with a population of approximately 1.35 billion people, there are numerous trade fairs taking place in China each day. Some of the most well-known trade fairs that take place in China this year include the 120thCanton Fair, the 22ndChina Yiwu Commodities Fair and Bauma China 2016. Officials in my Department are not aware of any forthcoming trade...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (21 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I refer to the list of aircraft movements provided by the Deputy and note that it comprises overflights and landings by military and civil aircraft. 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 while the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (21 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I can confirm that the requests received by my Department for landings by KC10 aircraft at Shannon Airport during the period in question stated that the aircraft were unarmed, carried no arms, ammunition or explosives and that they would not engage in intelligence gathering. The requests also stated that the flights did not form part of any military operation or exercises. Permission for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Service Staff (21 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Passport Service is in peak season with 60,638 applications currently in the system. The level of demand is very high this year with an 11% rise in the number of applications year-to-date compared to the same period last year. To respond to the seasonal spike in demand and the more general increase in applications, a total of 233 Temporary Clerical Officers have been recruited so far...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (21 Jun 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 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: Consular Services Provision (21 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My Department is providing ongoing consular assistance to this Irish citizen and his family. The focus in such cases is to ensure that the imprisoned Irish citizen has access to legal representation and is not discriminated against in terms of the legal processes or treatment in the prisons system, as well as addressing any specific welfare concerns that arise. Diplomatic and consular...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (22 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The difficulties of, and possibility for, resuming peace talks in the Middle East is a constant topic at the Foreign Affairs Council, and Ireland is active to ensure that the Council maintains a focus on it, despite many other crises in the region. It was discussed most recently at the Council on Monday, which discussed in particular the current initiative by France to create the conditions...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (22 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: At the International Gaza Reconstruction Conference, held in Cairo in October 2014, donors pledged USD3.5 billion to support recovery efforts in Gaza in the aftermath of the 2014 conflict. As an immediate response to the Gaza crisis, Ireland provided €500,000 in July 2014 to the Emergency Appeal of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to help...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (22 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: A combination of increased aridity and growing populations mean that water supply is becoming an increasingly critical issue across the wider Middle East, and large populations are now becoming water vulnerable. However, there are specific additional stresses on Palestinian people resulting from the Israeli control of their land and resources, and the discrimination in favour of Israeli...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (22 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I have consistently made clear, both here in the House and in discussions at EU level, Ireland’s view that the relentless expansion of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank is a major driver of the continuing conflict. I raised the issue of settlements last week with the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, who is also Israel’s Foreign Minister. Settlements...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (22 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland’s programme of assistance to the Palestinian people supports our political objectives and reflects a longstanding commitment to the peaceful development of a viable, sovereign Palestinian State. Through the Irish Aid programme, we currently provide some €10 million annually in development and humanitarian assistance. This involves support to the Palestinian Authority,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: North-South Ministerial Council (22 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: While a date for the next meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in Plenary format has not yet been agreed with the Northern Ireland Executive, I would hope that the meeting, to be held in Dublin, will take place shortly. This will provide an opportunity for the Government and the new Northern Ireland Executive to discuss North/South co-operation in the months ahead. I would...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Functions (22 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Public Service Management Act 1997 seeks to secure an appropriate devolution of authority and responsibility within Government departments from Ministers to their officials. The Act provides a statutory framework for the assignment of specific functions for which the Secretary General is responsible to appropriate officers or appropriate grades of officers within departments, with...

Seanad: EU-UK Relations: Statements (22 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I very much welcome the opportunity to address the recently convened Seanad. I wish everybody a successful, busy and productive time in the course of their tenure here. In particular, I offer my personal congratulations to you, a Chathaoirligh, on your elevation and appointment to the important national role as Cathaoirleach of the Seanad. I wish you every good health over the course of...

Seanad: EU-UK Relations: Statements (22 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I also welcome the opportunity to discuss this important issue just ahead of polling day in the UK's referendum on membership of the European Union. As Senators will be aware, this has been a closely fought campaign in the United Kingdom and the tragic events of last Thursday understandably cast a dark cloud over proceedings in these final days. We all felt absolute horror at the murder of...

Seanad: EU-UK Relations: Statements (22 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the importance of this debate and the informed contributions Seanadóirí have made. On the occasion of my first visit to the recently-established Seanad I was struck by the number of Senators present for the debate. It underlines the importance of it. While I am looking around I wish to avail of the opportunity to wish all the new Senators and other Members a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The situation of unaccompanied minors is a distressing aspect of the ongoing Migration crisis and there are concerns in this regard in many countries both in Europe and elsewhere. While there is a problem with the care of unaccompanied minors in parts of Greece, the Greek authorities are working with the UN High Commission for Refugees and UNICEF to provide appropriate facilities for...