Results 5,901-5,920 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

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

Charles Flanagan: Details are set out in the table of the retired officials of my Department who were re-employed on temporary contracts in 2016 in my Department: Grade Position Held Duration Assistant Secretary To assist in the preparation of files for the National Archives Contract for a maximum of 10 weeks spread over the twelve months of 2016 Assistant Secretary To assist in the preparation of files...

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

Charles Flanagan: At the end of August 2016, the number of staff employed by my Department was *1652 officers, of which 325 were recruited locally by missions abroad and 41 were seconded from other Government Departments or private sector organisations. The figure also includes 182 Temporary Clerical Officers (TCOs) who are recruited annually on fixed term contracts primarily to assist the Passport Service...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Sector Staff Retirements (5 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The only persons outside the Payroll Shared Service Centre, under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, are locally engaged staff employed in our Missions abroad. Locally-engaged staff are not Irish civil or public servants. They are staff employed directly by our Missions under terms and conditions set in accordance with local laws. I have set out the details requested...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (5 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: On the occasion of Human Rights Day, 10 December 2015, I was pleased to publish the Working Outline of the National Plan on Business and Human Rights, which was the result of extensive consultation and engagement by officials from my Department with other Government Departments, representatives of civil society, academics and the business community. The Working Outline provided a basis for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Immigration Policy (5 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: 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, President Hollande announced the definitive closure of the Camp...

Seanad: UK Referendum on EU Membership: Statements (5 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I am very pleased to be back in the Upper House to engage with Senators on what is, undoubtedly, the highest priority and biggest challenge on my desk as Minister - addressing the implications of Brexit. The Cabinet has been discussing the issue on an almost weekly basis since plans for a referendum were first announced. Yesterday the Taoiseach and I presented a memorandum to colleagues and...

Seanad: UK Referendum on EU Membership: Statements (5 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Members of the Upper House for their considered contributions to the ongoing debate. This is the first of a number of opportunities we will have in the coming years to debate this important matter. I assure Senators of my full engagement with them. I acknowledge their role, not only here in plenary session where I have had the opportunity over recent months to engage with them...

Seanad: UK Referendum on EU Membership: Statements (5 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Government continues to make this point at every opportunity. Senators asked me directly whether a Border poll had been discussed with my UK counterparts. Yes, it was the subject matter of discussion. I do not expect a Border poll in the near future. I stand strongly by the letter and spirit and the terms and conditions of the Good Friday Agreement as far as that is concerned. I hope...

Topical Issue Debate: Humanitarian Aid Provision (6 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Deputy Griffin for raising this issue. As I have outlined in previous public statements, and as the Taoiseach stated in the House on Tuesday, as a nation we have been shocked and outraged at the appalling scenes of suffering from Aleppo that we have seen daily on our television screens and read in our newspapers. I thank the Deputy for giving me an opportunity to set out in greater...

Topical Issue Debate: Humanitarian Aid Provision (6 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I agree and I wish to assure the House, as the Taoiseach did on Tuesday in my presence, that I would be happy to facilitate Members. That is an issue for the business committee but I would be happy to comply and co-operate, as is always my priority. I share the absolute revulsion and horror that so many Irish citizens have expressed at the events in Aleppo. Reports of families sleeping...

Topical Issue Debate: Consular Services Provision (6 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I am very much aware of this difficult consular case in the Philippines and I and Department officials have been giving the matter priority attention for some time. The case, which has been ongoing since 2013, involves an Irish citizen, currently on bail, who is appealing against his conviction and 12-year prison sentence for possession of drugs. The individual concerned has consistently...

Topical Issue Debate: Consular Services Provision (6 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I assure the Deputies and the House that the Government remains most concerned about the well-being and health of this Irish citizen. We have made our concerns perfectly clear to senior Filipino officials on a number of occasions at face to face meetings, and we will continue to do so. The Deputies will appreciate that because of the separation of powers, the Philippines Government cannot...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (6 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Dealing with the legacy of the past relating to the conflict in Northern Ireland is a major priority for me as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and for the Government. This commitment is reflected in the Programme for a Partnership Government, which makes specific reference to the Dublin Monaghan bombings. The All-Party motion on the 1974 Dublin Monaghan bombings adopted in this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (6 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 179 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. On 24 September I met with Foreign Minister Shoukry in New York where I again highlighted my...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Centenarian Bounty Scheme (6 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 178 together. This is a repeat of my reply to the same questions, Nos. 315 and 316, on Tuesday, 4 October 2016. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Funding (6 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: There are no agencies under the aegis of my Department so the issue raised by the Deputy does not arise for my Department.

Financial Resolution No. 2: General (11 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I move:THAT it is expedient to amend the law relating to inland revenue (including value-added tax and excise) and to make further provision in connection with finance.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (11 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 280 to 283, inclusive, 288 and 298 together. I am very much aware of this difficult consular case in the Philippines, and I and my Department officials are giving the matter priority attention. The individual concerned, who is currently on bail, has consistently maintained his innocence in the matter. I understand that there is to be an appeal to the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Advocacy Groups (11 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 284 and 295 together. The regulation of the banking industry is a matter for the Minister for Finance, and the assessment of risk is a commercial decision for the banks themselves. I have no role in this area, and I am not aware of the basis for the risk assessment reportedly made by the bank in this case. Many places around the world might be assessed as...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (11 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: 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 authorities, and also with the EU. At the last hearing (29 June), the trial was adjourned following an application by defendants for an expert review of the audio-visual evidence in this case....