Results 5,781-5,800 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (14 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Government follows closely reports of human rights violations against Falun Gong practitioners, including reported cases of organ harvesting. Human rights issues are discussed on a regular basis with the Chinese authorities during both bilateral and multilateral meetings, including during the visit of Premier Li Keqiang to Ireland in May 2015. Through the formal framework of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (14 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 to 136, inclusive, together. Like other Deputies, I myself received a copy of the letter referred to, which appears to have been drawn up by the Irish NGO concerned, and then Palestinian signatories gathered. The Government remains active and engaged on the objective of trying to achieve a two state solution in the Middle East, including a fully...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Colombian Peace Process (14 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 to 139, inclusive, together. Ireland will contribute €3 million to the European Union Trust Fund for Colombia, which will be formally established as soon as a final peace agreement is signed between the Colombian Government and the FARC guerrilla group. The Fund will support the implementation of the peace agreement and Ireland has been...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (14 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the cited report from the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, an NGO which is supported by my Department. The report adds to the large volume of information already available on the situation in Gaza, published by UN organisations and international NGOs. Ireland has consistently drawn attention over many years to the situation in Gaza, and the need to break the hopeless...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (14 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My Department is aware of the case in question. Punitive demolition of the houses of Palestinians who attacked Israelis was a practice previously discontinued by Israel after the security forces concluded it was ineffective as a deterrent. Regrettably, it was resumed on political direction in recent years, principally it would seem to demonstrate that the authorities were taking action ....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Neutrality (14 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: EU-NATO cooperation has no implications for Ireland’s longstanding policy of military neutrality which has been pursued by successive Governments and which is characterised by non-participation in military alliances. The commitment to this policy was reconfirmed last year in the Foreign Policy review “The Global Island” and in the White Paper on Defence. Although not...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (14 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The core intention of the agreement between Turkey and EU Heads of State and Government which emerged from the March European Council was to break the business model of the people smugglers who are profiting from the suffering of the vulnerable. In particular, it aimed to discourage the victims of people smugglers from risking their lives crossing the Aegean Sea. The very significant...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (19 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 479 to 485, inclusive, and 494 together. Like other Deputies, I myself received a copy of the letter referred to, which appears to have been drawn up by the Irish NGO concerned, and then Palestinian signatories gathered. The Government remains active and engaged on the objective of trying to achieve a two state solution in the Middle East, including a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Investigations (19 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I take very seriously the reported abuses in the report referred to by the Deputy and condemn all such affronts against the fundamental rights and dignity of the persons concerned. I do not accept the contention that serious human rights’ abuses are a direct result of the EU's efforts to stem migration from Libya. The current political situation in Libya, with the absence of a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Data (19 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I can confirm that the case to which the Deputy refers is subject to investigation, including by my Department. As the investigation is ongoing, a detailed statement is not appropriate at this time.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (19 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My reply to Question number 429 of 12 July stated that the US Embassy had reconfirmed that US military aircraft that landed at Shannon Airport last month were not part of a military operation or exercise. The requests for landings by these aircraft concerned crew rest, aircraft refuelling, airport familiarisation, passenger transfer and aircraft maintenance.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (19 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 489 and 490 together. While I must respect the decision of the US Supreme Court on this matter, I am very disappointed that planned measures by the US Administration to improve the situation for undocumented Irish in the United States have effectively been stalled by the Court’s decision last month on President Obama’s Executive Action on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (19 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The case referred to by the Deputy is one of serious concern. The identity of the captors of the persons identified by the Deputy cannot be confirmed, but media reports suggest that they may have been handed over to an Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria. Ireland does not have the means or capacity to intervene directly in cases of detention inside Syria. Nevertheless, I repeat our call for the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (19 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland has been a supporter of the UN’s efforts to achieve an end to the conflict in Syria, based on the principles of the 2012 Geneva Communique. The UN, with the support of the members of the International Syria Support Group, is continuing to work to find a sustainable political solution. Ireland is not a member of the International Syria Support Group. I call on all parties...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Advisers Data (19 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The following are the details of political appointed staff who have been assigned to my Department under the Guidelines on Staffing of Ministerial Offices for the 32ndDáil. Minister/ Minister of State Name Position held Qualifications (where stated) Annual Salary scale € Minister Charlie Flanagan Sarah Kavanagh Tom Fabozzi Fergal Conroy Pat Nolan Special Adviser ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Recruitment (19 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I understand that the request for information on the number of staff who entered the Civil Service since 1 January 2011 is being replied to by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. There are no state bodies or agencies under the Aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (20 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Government has committed “to recognise 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Religious Persecution (20 Jul 2016)

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. In cooperation with our EU partners, we consistently press for effective action to counter the persecution of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (20 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The issue of euroscepticism is complex and multifaceted. Obviously it arises particularly in the wake of the outcome of the UK referendum in June. Of course, I am well aware that, in individual Member States, there are those who would wish to leave the Union. However, this is not the position of any other Government or Parliament. The European Union engages with the big issues of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (20 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I urge all parties to work for a sustainable political solution to the Syrian conflict, and in particular to support the ongoing efforts by UN Special Envoy Steffan de Mistura on achieving a political transition. This remains the core issue in the conflict - no long-term peace can be achieved without agreement on political change in Syria. The cessation of hostilities remains critical to...