Results 6,141-6,160 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (23 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44, 48 and 52 together. Achieving relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the US and agreement on a facility for future pathways for migration between Ireland and the US have been key objectives for the Government. Notwithstanding the changing political context in the United States, the Government’s commitment to these objectives remains...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (23 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland remains active and engaged on the objective of trying to achieve a two state solution in the Middle East; few European countries are as consistently engaged on this issue as we are. There is an urgent need to find ways to end the occupation, and to achieve lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians. I have worked continuously to try and maintain the Middle East...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (23 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland has warmly welcomed the immense progress which has taken place in US-Cuba relations over the past two years, including President Obama’s historic visit to Havana in March 2016 and the full restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Ireland has consistently made clear that it supports the ending of the US embargo against Cuba. Most recently, on 26...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (23 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland has consistently called for an immediate moratorium on demolitions and confiscations by Israel of Palestinian structures. Such actions, including the destruction and removal of houses and infrastructure for water and power, are an ongoing issue and a matter of serious concern. I have been vocal in condemning demolitions and confiscations and have also done so in conjunction with our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Correspondence (23 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Taoiseach spoke with the President-Elect during the night of Wednesday, November 9th. The President-Elect extended an invitation to both the Taoiseach to visit the White House this coming St. Patrick’s Day, as is customary. Despite the limited duration of the call, the Taoiseach was able to raise issues of Irish interest, including Immigration Reform. The Taoiseach also had...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: British-Irish Co-operation (23 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 59 together. I reject the UK government’s assertion of jurisdiction over the whole of Lough Foyle, a claim which has never been accepted by any Irish Government. Uncertainty concerning the extent to which each side exercises jurisdiction within Lough Foyle has created practical difficulties for the conduct of a number of activities there....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children (23 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I understand that the Minister with special responsibility for Equality, Immigration, and Integration, Mr David Stanton T.D., had an initial discussion with France’s Ambassador to Ireland on 10th November concerning the motion agreed by Dáil Éireann that day on the unaccompanied minors previously living in the unofficial camp at Calais. Subsequently, Ireland’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (23 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The European Union has a very positive relationship with Georgia. The relationship is enhanced by Georgia’s active participation in the Eastern Partnership. Georgia signed an Association Agreement and a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU in 2014. By removing customs tariffs and quotas and by comprehensively approximating trade-related laws and regulations to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (23 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The European Union has a very positive relationship with Ukraine. The EU is committed to assisting Ukraine in delivering its ambitious and wide-ranging programme of reform and has provided unprecedented levels of support. This assistance includes loans, budget support, humanitarian assistance, technical assistance and trade preferences, granted under the framework for the Deep and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Security Strategy (23 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The issue of how best to respond to the threat posed by terrorism, and particularly by Daesh, has been and remains high on the EU agenda. Foreign Ministers have consistently underlined that ultimately there will be no defeat of Daesh without a political solution to the crisis in Syria. This is reflected particularly in the comprehensive conclusions on a ‘Regional Strategy for Syria...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (23 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 125 together. The locations currently experiencing war, starvation, genocide, violence against women and children, and the use of child soldiers remain a constant concern to the EU, UN and wider global community. The priorities set out following the Foreign Policy Review in ‘The Global Island’ recognise that we are increasingly...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (23 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland remains active and engaged on the objective of trying to achieve a two state solution in the Middle East; few European countries are as consistently engaged on this issue as we are. There is an urgent need to find ways to end the occupation, and to achieve lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians. I have worked continuously to try and maintain the Middle East...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (23 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Europe has been through somedifficult years. We have seen deep economic crises which have affected a number of member states, including Ireland; there have been terror attacks in some of our major cities which have caused appalling suffering for individuals and communities. The Continent has been grappling with the biggest movement of people seen in peacetime coming from our southern...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Western Balkans Issues (23 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: There are currently five countries which have Candidate Status, including four in the Western Balkans – Montenegro, Serbia, the Republic of Macedonia, and Albania. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are potential candidate countries. Ireland has long been a supporter of the Enlargement policy of the EU, believing that it is a transformative driver for peace, stability and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (23 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: On 13 September, on behalf of the Government, I signed an international agreement with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to establish the Independent Reporting Commission. The Commission will have four members, and will report annually on the progress being made in tackling paramilitarism and associated criminality, in particular on the implementation of the Northern Ireland...

An Bille um an gCúigiú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Neodracht) 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] - Thirty-Fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Neutrality) Bill 2016: Second Stage [Private Members] (24 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I reiterate the opposition of the Government to the Bill. Indeed, while I oppose the Bill strongly myself, I acknowledge that it has been valuable to have a debate. In particular, I am grateful for the opportunity to make it perfectly clear that the Government remains committed to Ireland's long-standing policy of military neutrality. During the last Government's term of office, this was...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Agencies Staff Data (24 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: There are no boards or agencies under the aegis of my Department so the issues raised by the Deputy do not arise.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (24 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: As I have reaffirmed in recent days, Ireland has never accepted the long standing British position in relation to Lough Foyle. Within the British government, primary responsibility for this issue lies with the Foreign Secretary. Since 2011, there have been ongoing discussions on the matter between officials of my Department and the FCO. While I have not to date discussed the matter with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (29 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My Department is aware of the case to which the Deputy refers. However, the Deputy will appreciate that, where we do not have the consent of the individual concerned, it is not the Department’s practice to share information about a consular case with a third party or to place it on the public record.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (29 Nov 2016)

Charles Flanagan: There are currently 12 staff on secondment from my Department to other Departments or agencies, within the timeframe requested. The details are outlined in the table. In addition my Department also has a number of officers who are serving as Seconded National Experts with the European Institutions. Number Grade Body Year of start of secondment 1 Counsellor D/Taoiseach 2013 1 1...