Results 5,821-5,840 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The purpose of stamping an application form in a Garda station in cases of loss, theft or damage of a passport is to witness the statement. The applicant completes Section 6, outlining the circumstances of loss, theft or damage and attests this statement and signs it in the presence of the Garda. The Garda then signs and stamps Section 6 confirming that they have witnessed the statement. As...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Fees (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The revenue collected in respect of passport applications for the past 12 months is as follows: 2015 2016 August €3,087,000 January €3,438,000 September €2,824,000 February €3,363,000 October €2,254,000 March €5,616,000 November €2,443,000 April €5,462,000 December €1,624,000 May €5,594,000 June €4,420,000...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (16 Sep 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: Pension Provisions (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Question relates to an individual who undertook an overseas volunteering assignment for the Agency for Personal Service Overseas (APSO) between 1981 and 1983, and who is requesting that pension credits for this period be paid. In 2004, APSO was integrated with the Department of Foreign Affairs. The pension contributions involved would therefore fall to be paid by this Department, if...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: A number of elements of the Good Friday Agreement have not yet been fully implemented, including the establishment of a consultative Civic Forum in Northern Ireland. The Government’s firm position is that the Good Friday Agreement, the St. Andrew’s Agreement and subsequent agreements, must be implemented in full. The Agreements, as well as the principles and values...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 829, 856 and 857 together. I condemned the attempted coup of 15 July in Turkey as a criminal act and an attack on democratic principles and institutions. In the aftermath of the coup, the people of Turkey publicly expressed their strong desire to protect and preserve democracy, in many cases coming out onto the streets to make their voices heard. I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My Department has consulted with our missions in the region on this case. I repeat the call that I have made previously, for security forces to be restrained and proportionate in their actions, and for all sides to avoid any provocative actions which could further inflame the situation. I condemn all attacks on innocent people, and any use of force that results in avoidable deaths. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (16 Sep 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. Arrangements under which permission is granted for military aircraft, including US military aircraft, to land at Irish airports are governed by strict conditions. These include stipulations that the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: It is normal procedure for military pilots, including those of our own Air Corps, to conduct landings at airfields outside of their home country. Aviation, whether civil or military, is an international activity and aviation procedures, rules and practices can vary from country to country. Familiarisation with differentlocal procedures, geography and meteorological conditions contributes to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: 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 sovereign and free Palestinian state. There are few western countries as...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: In January this year, I launched an Economic Diplomacy Strategy that seeks to build on the consolidation of the Department’s trade role in recent years by establishing a network of locally hired Commercial Attachés to extend the range and impact of our Embassies’ activities in support of trade. Our Embassies in Mexico, Brasilia, Buenos Aires, Bucharest, and Jakarta have...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the legislation in question. The EU, the US and others have already expressed concerns with this Bill, and I share these concerns. I am also aware of the Israeli NGO legislation, which was made law in July, and about which I also have concerns.Israel is, traditionally, a society that allows dissenting voices to be heard. It has a history of open discussion on hard issues....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 836 to 838, inclusive, together. My Department’s policy on the use of official credit cards is restrictive and credit cards are only authorised for officers who, due to the nature of their work or for particular circumstances, have a compelling business need for an official credit card. Official credit cards may only be used for necessary transactions...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Fees (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: A decision was taken in the 2005 budget to exempt applicants aged 65 and over from the passport fee. In 2011 the Government decided in light of the budgetary situation to discontinue the exemption and to apply the same ten-year passport fee to all applicants aged eighteen years or over. The annualised fee for a standard ten year Irish passport compares favourably with many other...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: While data on passport applications is not collated on the basis of country of residence, it is possible to set out application numbers by the channel through which they were submitted. Applications submitted via Northern Ireland Passport Express June July 2013 5699 4100 2014 6679 4507 2015 7042 4353 2016 7102 6325 Applications from Great Britain submitted via the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Sustainable Development Goals (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The 2030 Agenda, which encompasses seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), was adopted by world leaders at the UN Summit in New York last September. It provides the framework for sustainable development globally, with universal application. Given its universal nature, Ireland’s implementation will not be confined to the work of our overseas development assistance programme,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Fees (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: A decision was taken in the 2005 budget to exempt applicants aged 65 and over from the passport fee. In 2011 the Government decided in light of the budgetary situation to discontinue the exemption and to apply the same ten-year passport fee to all applicants aged 18 years or over. The annualised fee for a standard ten year Irish passport compares favourably with many other jurisdictions....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 843 and 844 together. I am aware of the case of Bilal Kayed, and welcome the news that he has ended his hunger strike, as well as reports that he is due to be released in December. I understand that there are still concerns about Mr. Kayed’s health, and I hope that he makes a full recovery. Ireland’s diplomatic missions in the area have...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The purpose of stamping an application form in a Garda station in cases of loss, theft or damage of a passport is to witness the statement. The applicant completes Section 6, outlining the circumstances of loss, theft or damage and attests this statement and signs it in the presence of the Garda. The Garda then signs and stamps Section 6 confirming that they have witnessed the statement. As...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Fees (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The revenue collected in respect of passport applications for the past 12 months is as follows: 2015 2016 August €3,087,000 January €3,438,000 September €2,824,000 February €3,363,000 October €2,254,000 March €5,616,000 November €2,443,000 April €5,462,000 December €1,624,000 May €5,594,000 June €4,420,000...