Results 5,581-5,600 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: With 65 million people displaced from their homes worldwide, the plight of refugees is a priority for our humanitarian and development assistance. Through Irish Aid, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade provides humanitarian assistance for refugees forced to live in camps and those living in host communities, and supports their livelihoods through a range of channels. The United...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Sector Allowances (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Outcome of the Review of Public Sector Allowances was published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on 18 September 2012. In relation to my Department, the abolished allowances in question were the Deputy Head of Division allowance and the disturbance allowance (an allowance designed to assist with costs associated with a return from posting abroad). The disturbance...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Sector Staff Remuneration (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Policy making in relation to terms and conditions including determination of salary rates for public servants is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Israeli Settlements (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The European Union has taken a number of actions to distinguish between settlements and Israel proper, and between settlement goods and Israeli goods. Ireland has supported and indeed advocated for many of these. Goods from settlements are charged a higher tariff to enter the European market; meat from settlements may not be certified by Israeli veterinary authorities, and is thus in effect...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I have repeatedly discussed the conflicts in Syria and Iraq as well as the threat of terrorism at the EU since the start of this year. The January Foreign Affairs Council discussed the situation in Syria and EU support for the UN-led negotiations. The Syrian conflict was also discussed at the February Council and the May Council adopted conclusions on Syria, Iraq and Daesh, as well as...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland does not have any diplomatic relations with Kurdish representative bodies in Turkey, Iraq and Syria. Ireland, along with its EU partners, supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of those States. Ireland has repeatedly raised the human rights situation in Syria and Iraq at the UN and the EU. Ireland has called for referral of the situation in Syria to the International...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I will start by congratulating you on your recent appointment as Chairman of this committee and I also congratulate the members of the reconfigured committee for the Thirty-second Dáil. I look forward to engaging with the committee not only today but in future months and, dare I say, years. Under the programme for a partnership Government, this Government is committed to reform of...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Work under the programme includes: the effective delivery of passport and consular services for citizens; supporting emigrants; deepening engagement with the diaspora; sustaining peace and enhancing reconciliation and political progress in Northern Ireland; increasing North-South and British-Irish co-operation; and promoting our culture, arts and creative industries throughout our embassy...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Chair.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I thank members for their contributions. Perhaps I can address the replies by way of groups because there has been an interest in the same topics, including the issue raised by the Chairman and Deputy Darragh O'Brien in regard to Northern Ireland. I wish to assure members that we are anxious to advance matters under the Good Friday Agreement, the Stormont House Agreement and A Fresh Start....

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Programme B covers the Department's contribution towards a more just world, the promotion and protection of human rights internationally and a more secure world based on a stable and secure rules-based international environment. Over 70% of current expenditure in this programme is made up of contributions to international organisations. My Department's commitments to international peace,...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: With regard to the Chairman's opening question on the matter of the interdepartmental committee on human rights, which was established in 2015 with the objective of improving the coherence of the promotion and protection of human rights, I believe work is ongoing. A number of meetings have taken place. I do not have up-to-date information since the recent Government formation but I would be...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Department's work under programme C has been supporting Ireland's economic recovery through effective contribution to job creation, exports, inward investment, education and tourism and building and maintaining strong bilateral relations to promote economic interests abroad. My Department's commitment to advancing Ireland's trade and economic interests in Europe and internationally is...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Chairman has raised a very important point about co-operation between the various Departments. Of importance in that regard is the export trade council within my Department, which I chair, which comprises representatives at ministerial level from the Departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Education and Skills and Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and representatives from State...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: This programme provides the framework for the Department's role in securing Ireland's influence in EU outcomes through maintaining and growing strong relationships with the European Union institutions and other member states. The programme equally supports Ireland's contribution to the EU's global engagement on peace and security, trade and development, as well as security in the wider...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: In regard to the Chairman's question regarding the UK referendum, contingency plans, co-ordinated under the Department of the Taoiseach, are in place across a range of Departments, including the Departments of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Foreign Affairs and Trade and so on. We will be eagerly awaiting the result tomorrow. I expect the Taoiseach will...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Notwithstanding the ongoing rota of retirements it has been the policy of the Department over many years to ensure that we have a programme in place to minimise any loss of expertise. We ensure we have people in place with the appropriate level of expertise to meet the needs required in important roles. Through our recruitment and promotion competitions, organised by the Public Appointments...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: We are undertaking a review because it is important to avail of all opportunities and we are emphasising our trade mandate. Over the past couple of years we managed in very challenging financial circumstances to open 14 new missions abroad. I expect that over the next couple of years we may be in a position to increase our complement. The review is considering Europe and further. Deputy...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The total number of staff in the Department is 1,580. That includes 314 locally recruited staff in missions abroad as well as over 150 temporary clerical officers to meet the seasonal demand in the Passport Office. Deputy McLoughlin has raised an important point and it is one we keep under review. We recently reviewed the operation of our single diplomat missions which have worked well but...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I turn to income accruing under appropriations-in-aid. The primary source of income which accrues directly to the Exchequer from my Department comes from passport application fees, which are estimated to amount to more than €40 million in 2016 and which account for more than 90% of all our appropriations-in-aid receipts. The total income under appropriations-in-aid is estimated at...