Results 6,061-6,080 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (3 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Government follows closely reports of human rights violations against Falun Gong practitioners, including renewed allegations of organ harvesting. On 27 October 2016, officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade met with a representative of the Irish Falun Dafa Association and two human rights defenders during which the issue of organ harvesting was discussed. Human...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (8 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I met the Russian Ambassador on 24 October to convey my grave concerns at the appalling events in Syria and Aleppo in particular. During the meeting, I urged that Russia use all its influence to end the bombardment of Aleppo and to make every effort to ensure that civilians in Syria are granted full protection of their rights. I also expressed my disappointment at the lack of progress in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (8 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Ensuring that all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement are upheld is a major priority for the Government and this forms a key part of our continuing preparations for the EU-UK negotiations. The potential impacts on the Good Friday Agreement are being considered from legal and other perspectives as part of this ongoing work, with advice and assistance by the Attorney General’s Office...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (8 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Government has always been clear that our priority going forward is to ensure the best possible outcome for our citizens, for the economy, for Northern Ireland and for the Common Travel Area. This naturally has implications for how we approach trade, cooperation, and the movement of persons, both north-south and east-west. Regarding trade, we are all acutely conscious of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: National Lottery Funding Disbursement (8 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My Department has not received any funding from the National Lottery Fund to support the work of community groups.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (8 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The protection of Christian and other religious minorities in Mosul, Iraq and across the Middle East from terrorism and religious extremism is a core objective for Ireland’s human rights policies. Ireland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur or who the victims are. We attach great importance to combating all...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (8 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the difficult situation which currently pertains for human rights defenders in Honduras. I condemn unreservedly any use of force against peaceful protestors. Ireland does not have diplomatic representation in Honduras, but my officials have raised the incident referred to by the Deputy with the European External Action Service and requested an update from the EU Delegation in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (8 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I have repeatedly made clear my view that the relentless expansion of illegal Israeli settlements is a major impediment to the achievement of peace in the Israeli-Arab conflict. We have conveyed these concerns to the Israeli authorities, and worked to focus EU attention on them. My Department cannot, however, attempt to track and take action on every report of decisions involved in this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (8 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: As of 4 November 2016, the number of Irish citizens imprisoned abroad that have been brought to my Department’s attention was 332. This figure includes 61 new prisoner cases recorded in the 12 month period to 4 November 2016. The following table provides details of the 15 foreign jurisdictions where these Irish citizens have been imprisoned. In addition to the 61 new prisoner cases...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Records (9 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My Department is responsible for two Votes, Vote 27 (International Co-operation) and Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade). There are no agencies under the aegis of the Department. Insofar as Vote 27 is concerned there are no contingent assets held by the Department. Regarding Vote 28, the only contingent asset is a very small one relating to arrangements whereby citizens are repatriated at...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (10 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: If the allegations made by Amnesty International were to be substantiated, it would be a very serious matter and a cause of great concern. All migrants possess universally-acknowledged fundamental and inalienable human rights and freedoms. In addition, such behaviour would be in complete violation of the safeguards set out in the EU legislation governing the Common European Asylum System,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: National Digital Research Centre (10 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My Department has no responsibility for the operation or decisions of the NDRC. I am not aware of the substance or basis of the two decisions referred to by the Deputy, neither what was proposed nor what was the outcome. I therefore have no basis on which to comment. The role of NDRC is to support digital start-ups in Ireland. It may well be that this can be helped by co-operation with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (10 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I am deeply worried about the most recent developments in Turkey and on hearing last Friday, November 4, of the detention of the co-chairs of the People’s Democratic Party (HDP) and several of its elected members, I issued a statement, in which I outlined my concerns at their arrests and at the intensifying media crackdown. I also expressed my sympathy to those who were bereaved or...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Redeployment (10 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Further to a decision taken by the Government in July in response to the result of the UK’s referendum on EU membership, a number of changes have been made to Departmental structures. These include the re-establishment of an EU Division within my Department following the transfer back from the Department of the Taoiseach of the bulk of the EU functions which moved to it in 2011. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (10 Nov 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 have been and will remain key objectives for the Government. I most recently raised the question of immigration reform, including relief for undocumented Irish citizens in the United States, during my meeting with US Secretary of State, Mr John...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (10 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Full and timely implementation of the Fresh Start Agreement is a key priority for the Government and this is reflected by its inclusion in the new Programme for Government. The Government continues to work closely with all relevant stakeholders in this regard. Progress on implementing the provisions of both the Fresh Start and Stormont House Agreements are considered at periodic review...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (15 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I am gravely concerned about the most recent developments in Turkey, in particular the detention of the co-chairs of Turkey’s second largest opposition party, HDP, and several of its elected representatives on 4 November, which was made possible by the lifting of parliamentary immunity from some 130 MPs last May. I issued a statement on 4 November, in which I expressed Ireland’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (15 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The migration crisis remains a key priority for the European Union and it has been discussed many times in various Council formations. Last month, migration was discussed at the European Council, the Foreign Affairs Council (which I attended) and the Justice and Home Affairs Council. Migration is again on the agenda of the December European Council. I have also discussed the crisis in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (15 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I utterly condemn the actions by the Assad regime and its allies, including Russia, in Aleppo, and demand the immediate end to the bombardment of that city and the lifting of all restrictions on humanitarian assistance in Aleppo and across Syria. I discussed the Syrian conflict with my EU colleagues at the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday 17 October. We were joined by UN Special Envoy...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (16 Nov 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. Permission must be sought in advance for landings by all foreign military aircraft and, if granted, is subject to strict conditions. These include stipulations that the aircraft must be unarmed, carry...