Results 5,741-5,760 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (5 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: In relation to new positions created since 31 December 2010, my Department sought and received sanction for the following: Year Position Grade 2012 Press Officer, Irish Aid Assistant Principal 2014 Chief Financial Officer Assistant Secretary 2016 Assistant Legal Adviser Web + Digital Manager Web + Digital Editor Assistant Principal Assistant Principal HEO

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (5 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. Staff who left the Department in the period 1 January – 31 December 2013 Reason for leaving Number of staff Retirements 27 Ministerial Appointees – following resignation of Minister of State 6 Career breaks/Special Leave/Other 17 New staff employed in the period 1 January – 31 December 2013...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (6 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I have been actively engaged with both the Northern Ireland Executive and the British Government since the results of the recent UK-EU referendum became known. On the Friday when the result was announced I spoke with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the First and deputy First Ministers and the leaders of the Northern Irish political parties. Last Wednesday, the Secretary of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (6 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: As of 4 July, there were a total of 50,055 applications in the passport system. This is down from 68,000 applications in hand approximately at the end of May and the turnaround times for passport renewals and first-time applications have improved. The level of demand remains very high this year with an 11% rise in the number of applications year-to-date compared to the same period last...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Appointments to State Boards (6 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: There are no State boards under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Sector Staff Data (6 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Information in relation to the number of persons of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds currently working in the Department is not recorded. However, there are 322 local staff working in the 80 missions of the Department’s network world-wide, all of whom are recruited locally and are drawn from a broad range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The Department is an equal...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foireann Roinne (6 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Tá mo Roinn tiomanta go hiomlán le seirbhísí a sholáthar agus comhfhreagras a fhreagairt trí Ghaeilge nuair is gá. Léirigh iniúchadh den fhoireann i 2012 go raibh Gaeilge líofa nó ag ard-leibhéal ag 55 baill foirne i mo Roinn, agus d’fhógair 160 baill eile go raibh Gaeilge ag meán-leibhéal acu. ...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Military Aircraft (6 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: 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. Permission must be sought in advance for landings by all foreign military aircraft, including those from the US. If granted, permission is subject to strict conditions. Aircraft must be unarmed, carry...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Military Aircraft (6 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I reiterate that the number of requests and approvals for landings by US military aircraft at Shannon Airport to date this year is broadly in line with that for the same period last year. Successive Governments have followed the same policy in respect of Shannon for many years. The facility of landing there is afforded not only to planes from the United States but also to those from other...

Ibrahim Halawa: Motion (7 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I move:"That Dáil Éireann:notes that Ibrahim Halawa, an Irish citizen, has been detained without due process in Egypt for three years since being arrested as a child of 17 years-of-age; considers this to be an unacceptable infringement of his basic human rights by any international standard; believes that the conditions of his imprisonment are of serious concern, given his young...

Ibrahim Halawa: Motion (7 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I have taken very careful note of the views and concerns expressed in the House today and I assure all Deputies that this case remains the highest consular priority. I will continue to do everything possible to secure the release and return of Ibrahim Halawa and to see him back in Ireland as soon as possible. Everyone acknowledges that this is a complex consular case but it is in receipt...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (7 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: All actions taken in this case are considered in the context of the Government’s clear strategy, which is focused on two core objectives. First, to see this citizen released by the Egyptian authorities so that he can return to his family and his studies in Ireland as soon as possible, and, second, to provide every possible consular support for his welfare while he remains in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (7 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I can assure the Deputy that securing this citizen’s return home to Ireland has been and continues to be a top priority for the Government. The Irish Government is pursuing every avenue to secure the release of this citizen and will continue to bring all of our influence to bear on his behalf through all appropriate channels. Significant resources continue to be deployed by the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Agreements (7 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: In a referendum held on 9 February 2014, Swiss citizens voted by a very narrow margin to accept a proposal to introduce quotas and restrictions on migrants, the vast majority of whom are EU nationals. The referendum outcome has potentially far-reaching implications for EU-Switzerland relations, not least because any new Swiss legislation introducing quotas on immigration by EU citizens would...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (7 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 160 to 162, inclusive, together. I am aware of ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, including those relating to freedom of navigation. The situation in the South China Sea, through which a significant amount of world trade passes each year, is of interest to Ireland, as a small open economy. We therefore closely monitor the ongoing developments in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UK Referendum on EU Membership (7 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 164 together. I have been actively engaged with both the Northern Ireland Executive and the British Government since the results of the recent UK-EU referendum became known. On the Friday when the result was announced I spoke with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the First and deputy First Ministers and the leaders of the Northern...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UK Referendum on EU Membership (7 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: At the Plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) which was held in Dublin Castle on Monday 4 July 2016, Government and Northern Ireland Executive Ministers had a detailed discussion on the potential impact of the UK Referendum vote to leave the EU. The Council agreed that the implications of the referendum decision on North South cooperation should be explored in detail...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UK Referendum on EU Membership (7 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: From the moment the British Prime Minister David Cameron first proposed a referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU in 2013, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has worked closely with the Department of the Taoiseach on this important strategic issue for Ireland. Work is underway to ensure that capabilities and resources are put in place to manage the complex process of a UK...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consultancy Contracts Data (7 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: This Department is responsible for two votes - Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation). My Department commissions external expertise where highly specialised skills are not available within the Department and in particular where ongoing independent evaluation of programmes and projects is required. During the course of their engagements, these...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (7 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My Department only avails of the services of external photographic agencies where it is warranted, in particular, for major events and State occasions. This is a service which my Department provides so that the media can easily and freely avail of photography where their own staff photographers cannot be fully accommodated. Events such as the visit of Prince Charles and the Duchess of...