Results 5,981-6,000 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Other Questions: Consular Services Representations (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 29, 31, 47 and 64 together. I assure the House that the consular case of this citizen remains a top priority. The Government continues to apply maximum pressure to the Egyptian Government as a means of working to achieve this citizen's return home to Ireland at the earliest possible time and to provide all consular care possible to him while he remains in...

Other Questions: Consular Services Representations (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: As I advised the House on previous occasions, our approach is under continuous review. It is informed and shaped by, inter alia, co-ordination and dialogue with the legal representatives of the citizen and his family members and my discussions with Members of the House. We also rely on the experience and expertise of our departmental officials and our consultations with other states which...

Other Questions: Consular Services Representations (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Any visit by Members of the House is entirely a matter for the House. I have an expectation that an appropriate judgment will be made in that regard. I repeat my disappointment that the hearing date of 2 October was not fulfilled. It has now been confirmed to me that the hearing has been rescheduled for 12 November. On Sunday, 2 October, the date of the council hearing, I spoke directly...

Other Questions: Syrian Conflict (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I reiterate 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 unacceptable. The deliberate targeting of hospitals, medical personnel, schools and essential infrastructure and the widespread civilian casualties may, indeed, amount to war crimes. Our concerns have been...

Other Questions: Syrian Conflict (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I have raised this issue, along with the people to whom I made a specific reference earlier, with the incoming secretary general of the Arab League. I also raised the issue directly in the context of my conversations with Foreign Minister Shoukry of Egypt, an influential interlocutor in the region. Ireland, together with our European partners, made it clear in a statement on 4 June 2014...

Other Questions: Syrian Conflict (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I agree that every effort must be made by the international community to confront the brutality and terrorism of Daesh. As the Deputy is aware, the situation in Syria is very complex. I am of the view that the only solution must be political rather than military. I discussed the matter with the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, recently in New York and I hope to have a further opportunity...

Other Questions: Syrian Conflict (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Apologies.

Other Questions: Syrian Conflict (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: If I told you that I did not meet him-----

Other Questions: Syrian Conflict (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: If I told you that I did not meet him-----

Other Questions: Syrian Conflict (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I am very familiar with both of those cases and the details of them. As I said before, it is important to note that each and every case is somewhat different. We have considered these cases in detail and have extensively engaged in consultations on them. My focus is on our citizen and how best we can proceed to advance matters. My officials are in regular contact with the citizen in...

Other Questions: Syrian Conflict (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to add to that. I am bound by the House, as far as the House motions are concerned. The Parliament here is sovereign. Let me assure the Deputy and the House that the Egyptian Government remains in absolutely no doubt about the Irish Government's position and its determination to see the citizen released and have the trial disposed of as soon as possible.

Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I expressed my concerns in this House on 16 September in regards to the severe counter-drugs actions being pursued in the Philippines. Ireland opposes the use of capital punishment and has consistently called for its abolition in the United Nations and other fora. Ireland supports the recommendations which were set out following a UN General Assembly special session on countering the world...

Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to say briefly to Deputy Kenny that I am aware of the concerns and of the issues regarding the health and welfare of the individual concerned. I wish to assure the Deputy of my own personal action on this issue and those of my officials both here and in the district.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I attended the most recent Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) meeting in Brussels on the 17th of October where together with my EU colleagues I called on Russia to demonstrate all efforts to halt indiscriminate bombing by the Syrian regime, restore a cessation of hostilities, ensure immediate humanitarian access and create the conditions for a credible and inclusive political transition. This is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: North-South Ministerial Council (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The next Plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) will be held on 18th November in Armagh. I expect that we will have a further substantive discussion with our Northern Ireland colleagues on the implications of the UK referendum result. The agenda will also cover discussions on economic and financial matters, as well as a range of other issues including the North West...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Embassy of Ireland in Ankara is accredited on a non-residential basis to Iran. Ireland is also represented in Iran by an Honorary Consul. The configuration and scale of the State's diplomatic and consular network is kept under ongoing review by the Government. A range of factors are taken into account in considering our diplomatic representation overseas, including our national...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Aid (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The agreement reached between the EU and Turkey in March in response to the migration crisis and the loss of lives in the Aegean Sea included the establishment of the Facility for Refugees in Turkey. Its aim is to meet the immediate humanitarian needs of Syrian refugees in Turkey and to bring about long term sustainable improvements in their health, education and self-reliance. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Since the outset of the Syrian conflict, Ireland has consistently supported a Syrian-owned and Syrian-led political resolution to the conflict. The Syrian people must have the freedom to exercise their rights, including the democratic right to choose their own national leaders. These principles – set out clearly in Geneva in 2012 – have guided my interventions on Syria in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Immigration Policy (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 41 and 43 together. I am of course aware of recent developments surrounding the refugee camp at Calais, and in particular the plight of unaccompanied minors living there. The camp at Calais does not fall under the EU relocation or resettlement decisions that Ireland has opted into and therefore the people in Calais are not eligible for the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The conflict in Syria is the greatest humanitarian crisis of our generation. Since 2012, Ireland has provided a total of €62 million in humanitarian assistance to Syria and the region. At present, it is Ireland's largest response to any humanitarian crisis. Of the €20 million in funding provided by Ireland so far in 2016, €14 million has been delivered through the...