Results 5,961-5,980 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The organisation and membership of UK cabinet committee structures for leaving the European Union is a matter solely for the UK Government. Our Government has made clear that the matter of Northern Ireland and the peace process is a top priority in our approach to the UK departure from the European Union. I and my Cabinet colleagues will be working with a range of stakeholders, including...

Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy makes a reasonable point. As I have said, the Government's priority is to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement and the overall balance of the settlement are not in any way disturbed by the UK's exit from the European Union. Of course, we will make every effort to ensure the protection and maintenance of what is effectively an invisible Border between North and South. The...

Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Based on the discussion of issues raised by Deputy O'Brien over the past two minutes and indeed in the context of earlier questions to the Taoiseach, it can be seen that this is a major challenge for Ireland, the UK and the European Union. The Government will meet this challenge and is meeting this challenge. It is using its resources to the full. Having a dedicated Minister fails to...

Priority Questions: Human Rights (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I share the Deputy's concern in so far as I acknowledge and reaffirm that the European Convention on Human Rights is a vital element of the peace process. The protection of human rights in Northern Ireland law, specifically incorporating the convention, is one of the key principles underpinning the Good Friday Agreement. The Agreement is clear that there is an obligation to incorporate the...

Priority Questions: Human Rights (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to make it clear to the Deputy that I have raised this specific issue in the context of my discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. Brokenshire, MP, and I am not discouraged by his reply. I am, however, aware that outside the question of the ECHR there have been concerns expressed across Northern Ireland about the status, post-Brexit, of those human rights...

Priority Questions: Human Rights (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I confirm that it has been the subject matter of specific discussions in the context of my meetings, not only with Secretary of State Brokenshire but also with other interlocutors. We will continue to monitor the situation and we will continue to raise this issue in the context of our deliberations and our discussions with members of the...

Priority Questions: Syrian Conflict (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I want to make clear my total condemnation of the bombardment of Aleppo. The attacks by the Assad regime and its allies, including Russia, against eastern Aleppo are clearly disproportionate and the deliberate targeting of hospitals, medical personnel, schools and essential infrastructure and the widespread civilian casualties may well amount to war crimes. Our concerns have been conveyed...

Priority Questions: Syrian Conflict (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I have also condemned the actions of Russia with particular reference to its engagement on the United Nations Security Council. I am asked what Ireland can do in support of ending the conflict. Ireland supports the effort of the UN to renew political negotiations based on the 2012 Geneva communiqué. I have repeatedly made clear our full support for UN special envoy to Syria, Stafan de...

Priority Questions: Syrian Conflict (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Government does not have view on this decision, but I will continue, in all of my utterances at official level and directly, to convey my views to the Russian authorities through their ambassador in Dublin. I will continue to make my views known in the House. I will continue to work with my colleagues in ensuring every effort is made on the part of Ireland to do what we can to influence...

Priority Questions: Humanitarian Access (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Last month, during my meeting in Dublin with Commissioner Stylianides, I discussed the European Union's new humanitarian initiative for Aleppo which was launched in rapid response to the recent and disturbing escalation of the conflict in Aleppo. This joint EU-UN initiative includes two main elements: first, to facilitate the urgent delivery of basic life saving assistance to civilians in...

Priority Questions: Humanitarian Access (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Earlier I referred to the efforts made on the part of the United Nations to renew political negotiations based on the 2012 Geneva communiqué. This is something that was discussed at length last week with my foreign affairs colleagues and colleagues on the margins of the meeting. However, in the first instance, we need to do all we can to bring about an end to the hostilities and the...

Priority Questions: Humanitarian Access (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The House is aware that last September the Government agreed to accept the total sum of 4,000 asylum seekers and refugees. 5 o’clock We have now resettled 500 refugees under the Irish refugee protection programme. The target is 520 by the end of 2016 and I believe that figure will be reached. They have all come from Lebanon. The progress of the relocation has been slow, as it...

Priority Questions: Humanitarian Access (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The United Nations continues to work hard to negotiate access to besieged areas, as referred to by the Deputy. I acknowledge his role while Minister of State in the past few years. He played an important role in ensuring the provision of humanitarian aid was always top of the political agenda in this country. I strongly support the efforts of humanitarian aid co-ordinator, Mr. Jacob El...

Priority Questions: Humanitarian Access (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I very much agree. During the summer when I had the opportunity to meet the incoming Secretary General of the Arab League, I referred to the situation in Syria and the point raised by the Deputy. I have no doubt that the only viable and sustainable way forward remains a comprehensive end to the violence and a Syrian-led political resolution based on a real political transition process....

Other Questions: Human Rights (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 44 and 50 together. Maghaberry Prison was identified by the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland, Brendan McGuigan, in a November 2015 report as needing work to make the prison safer and to improve conditions for both prisoners and staff. Since publication of that report, Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland has continued...

Other Questions: Human Rights (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: As Deputies will be aware, the strip searching regime has been the subject of a complaint by prisoners. It is an issue which both I and my officials have raised in discussions with the appropriate authorities in the North. The Stocktake report recommended the current policy for searching prisoners when exiting and entering the prison be reviewed, particularly in cases where prisoners were...

Other Questions: Human Rights (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: We should wait to see how best we might take forward the recommendation of the Stocktake report. There are security issues involved, which have been evidenced time and again. The security, safety and health and welfare of those working in the prison under very difficult circumstances must at all stages be taken into account. I have raised the humanitarian issues on the part of prisoners,...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I condemned the attempted coup in Turkey on 15 July as a criminal act and an attack on democracy. Since then, the situation in Turkey has been discussed at meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council. Ministers also had an open exchange of views with Turkish Minister of European Affairs, Mr. Omer Celik at a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I attended the specially convened meeting of the Council of Europe in September, at which I acknowledged receipt of the Commissioner for Human Rights report of 7 October outlining the results of a recent visit to Ankara. I am pleased to note that the Commissioner reported on the matter of the regime in Turkey. I reiterate what I said at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, namely, that the...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: It is important that this debate be placed in the context of there being a state of emergency in Turkey following the unacceptable coup. This state of emergency first imposed on 20 July has been extended to 20 January next. Ireland has strongly stated its view that the principles of democracy, including human rights, must at all times be honoured, maintained and protected. I have urged the...