Results 5,881-5,900 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (27 Sep 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 key objective for the Government. Our Embassy in Washington and Consulates elsewhere in the US are very active in advocating for immigration reform while the issue is also regularly addressed in high level political contacts between Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Remuneration (27 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The estimated additional annual cost of introducing a minimum wage of €12, €13, €14 or €15 an hour for all employees to the Department is: Annual Cost of Introducing a Minimum Wage €12 per hour €600,000 per annum €13 per hour €1,000,000 per annum €14 per hour €1,500,000 per annum €15 per hour €2,100,000...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (27 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The estimated additional annual cost of the introduction of a minimum weekly gross wage of €480, €500, €520, €560 or €600 for all full-time employees to the Department is: Additional Cost of the introduction of a minimum weekly gross wage €480 per week €240,000 per annum €500 per week €320,000 per annum €520 per week...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Implications for Good Friday Agreement of UK EU Referendum Result: Discussion (27 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I am pleased to have the opportunity to discuss with the committee the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the important developments relating to the ongoing peace process. As the Chairman will be aware, this is the first time that I have participated in the committee's proceedings since it was formed with new members and a new Chairman following this year's Dáil and Seanad...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Implications for Good Friday Agreement of UK EU Referendum Result: Discussion (27 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I am in your hands, Chairman.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Implications for Good Friday Agreement of UK EU Referendum Result: Discussion (27 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: These are issues that will be taken up by other members of the committee. I acknowledge that the issues raised by Dr. Alasdair McDonnell, Deputy Sherlock and Senator Craughwell are perhaps the most important ones in this engagement. We have not reached a conclusion on any of them because the negotiations have not yet commenced. The issue raised by Dr. McDonnell on the hard border is one...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Implications for Good Friday Agreement of UK EU Referendum Result: Discussion (27 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the fact that I do not live in a Border area, nor have I ever. I do not represent a Border area but I do not see that as a disadvantage because there are vehicles such as this committee. I keep in close contact with my Government colleagues from the Border area, including Deputy McLoughlin and Senator Feighan. I welcome the experience and expertise that Deputy Smith has...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Implications for Good Friday Agreement of UK EU Referendum Result: Discussion (27 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I will respond briefly to a point raised by Deputy Breathnach that I probably did not deal with adequately earlier. I want to make it clear that the Government remains fully committed to the successful implementation of the PEACE and INTERREG programmes. A lot of money is involved. In fact, the Government is proud of its role in securing funding for the fourth round of the PEACE programme....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Implications for Good Friday Agreement of UK EU Referendum Result: Discussion (27 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: That is perfect.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Implications for Good Friday Agreement of UK EU Referendum Result: Discussion (27 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Senator Black referred to funding. I wish to acknowledge the importance of funding from the Northern Ireland Executive, the UK Government and my Department. Since its establishment, the reconciliation fund has seen in excess of €46 million disbursed to a total of almost 2,000 projects. Of course, we will continue to ensure that these funds are made available. This is an issue of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (28 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 167 together. Firstly, as we mark the second anniversary of those tragic events, allow me to reiterate my sympathies to the families of the 43 students who disappeared in Iguala, Mexico in September 2014. Those families need and deserve answers, and it is critically important that a full and comprehensive investigation of their disappearance be...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (28 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I have repeatedly made clear my concerns about demolition of homes and seizures of land by the Israeli occupation authorities. We have conveyed these concerns to the Israeli authorities, and worked to focus EU attention on them. However, my Department cannot attempt to track and take action on the case of every individual house. All people living under occupation are entitled to respect...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Centenarian Bounty Scheme (4 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 315 and 316 together. The Centenarian Bounty is the award made by the President of Ireland to people living in Ireland who have reached 100 years of age. On 23 March 2006, the Government approved the extension of the ‘Centenarian Bounty’ scheme whereby persons born on the island of Ireland, who have reached 100 years of age, wherever they may...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (4 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers and my officials in the Belfast Secretariat monitor this and other cases as part of their ongoing work on prison issues generally in Northern Ireland. The person concerned was detained in March 2016 when the release licence granted to him under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement was revoked by the then Secretary of State for Northern...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Strategy Statements (4 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: In line with obligations under the Public Services Management Act (1997), my Department is currently preparing a new Statement of Strategy which will be published later this year. The Statement of Strategy will articulate how this Department intends to implement the commitments assigned to it under the Programme for a Partnership Government. Under the Irish Human Rights and Equality...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (4 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The revenue collected in respect of passport applications for 2015 is as follows: 2015 € January 3,230,154 February 3,545,489 March 3,837,807 April 5,472,677 May 4,742,979 June 4,726,473 July 4,481,140 August 3,087,477 September 2,824,242 October 2,253,850 November 2,442,537 December 1,623,548 Total 42,268,373 The revenue is appropriation in aid and is remitted directly...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Anti-Terrorism Measures (4 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I cannot comment on any reports concerning arrangements for national security or responses that might be taken in the event of a terrorist attack. The Government’s engagement in international security cooperation is aimed at ensuring public safety and is conducted with full respect for Irish sovereign decision-making authority.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (4 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 321 to 323, inclusive, and 327 and 328 together. The case of this citizen remains a high priority for me and the Government. The Government is continuing to use every possible opportunity to underline our concerns about this case to the Egyptian Government, and also with the EU. I met with Foreign Minister Shoukry last week in New York where I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Properties (4 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: It is important to note that such official properties are not solely or primarily the living quarters of Ireland’s Heads of Mission abroad. They are first and foremost official facilities for use by the Embassies and State Agencies, working together in the promotion of Ireland’s political and economic interests. These official spaces are used extensively to promote our exports...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Refugee Data (4 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 325, 326 and 329 together. The case of unaccompanied minors is a very distressing aspect of the ongoing Migration crisis and the situation in Calais is particularly so. According to French estimates there are some 7,000 migrants living in the Calais area. Of these, 900 are estimated to be unaccompanied minors. On a visit to Calais on 26th September,...