Results 6,201-6,220 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (13 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: 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 constant. The Taoiseach availed of his recent separate telephone...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Legal Cases (13 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My Department has not been involved in any court proceedings in the past five years that involved non-disclosure agreements.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Common Security and Defence Policy (13 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: In recent months I have had discussions with my German and French counterparts in the framework of EU Foreign Affairs Councils and in direct bilateral meetings. The bilateral meetings have primarily focused on Brexit and its implications. On 8 July I met the Foreign Minister of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, in Berlin, and on 1 December I met the Foreign Minister of France, Jean-Marc...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (13 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 362 to 364, inclusive, together. I have been monitoring the situation in Yemen with growing concern. Last spring, when a ceasefire was announced after over a year of fighting, it seemed like the conflict might come to an end. However, efforts to broker peace were unsuccessful and, since August, the situation has continued to deteriorate. UN Special...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Programme (13 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: No Bills prepared in my Department since May 2016 have been signed into law. The Protection of Cultural Property in the event of Armed Conflict (Hague Convention) Bill 2016 was presented to Seanad Éireann on 18 July. The purpose of the Bill is to make provision in domestic law enabling the State to ratify the 1954 Hague Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property in the event...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Redeployment (13 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: No such re-centralisation of units has happened in my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (14 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I have repeatedly made clear my concern at the failure of the UN Security Council to uphold international law in Syria. Ireland has co-sponsored a number of proposed resolutions which were all vetoed by Russia and sometimes by China. The disunity of the Council has undermined the rights of the Syrian people to the protections under international law, giving the Assad regime impunity for its...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (14 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: As I noted in Parliamentary Question 313 on June 21 2016, the Government welcomes the democratic transition which is currently underway in Myanmar/Burma following elections in November 2015, and the positive steps that the new Government of Myanmar/Burma has taken in pursuit of peace and reconciliation, democratic reforms and economic growth. However we are deeply concerned about the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Naval Vessels (16 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: In response to a request from the Embassy of the Netherlands, my Department granted permission for a visit by the Dutch naval submarine, HNLMS Bruinvis, to visit the port of Cork from 4-7 November 2016. The purpose of the visit was crew rest and relaxation. Permission for the visit was sought and granted in accordance with Ireland’s longstanding policy that visiting naval vessels...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (16 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The vast majority of passport applications from both sides of the border are made through the post office networks on this island. This remains the most efficient and cost-effective way to apply and applications can be submitted at some seventy post offices in Northern Ireland and at over one thousand post offices in the state. To accommodate a relatively small number of people with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (16 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: As reflected in the Programme for a Partnership Government, the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the subsequent agreements, including the 2014 Stormont House and the 2015 Fresh Start Agreement, is a priority for the Government. It is important to note that the status of the Good Friday Agreement, as an international agreement, has not been altered as result of the UK...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (16 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 247 and 248 together. Following the outcome of the referendum in the UK in June 2016 and in line with the Government’s contingency plans prepared in advance, capabilities and resources are being assigned to manage the complex process of the UK exit from the EU. As we approach the end of the year, I am happy to set out the resources which are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (16 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The number of passports issued in 2015 was 672,760. The number of passports issued to 13 December 2016 is 719,675. It is projected that by the end of 2016 the Passport Service will issue almost 740,000 passports. This would represent an increase in applications of 10% on 2015. Underlying demand for passports in 2016 was already running at an increase of over 9% on 2015 before the Brexit...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (16 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World, published in 2015, was the Government’s first major statement of foreign policy in nearly twenty years. It set out our policy priorities and ambitions across the full range of our external engagements. It remains a cornerstone for our planning and for the delivery of Government objectives and it is not intended...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Missions Data (16 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Government is committed to delivering an intensive programme of trade Missions as part of a concerted drive to expand the scope and reach of Irish exports and to support Irish companies seeking to capitalise on opportunities in overseas markets. Growth in trade and investment resulting from trade missions supports jobs in Ireland and is a vital element of the Government’s trade,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad (16 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to assure the Deputy that securing this citizen’s return home to Ireland continues to be a top priority for the Government. In this regard, the Irish Government is continuing proactively to use all the means that are available to us to ensure that the Egyptian authorities at the highest levels fully understand the importance that the Irish Government attaches to the resolution...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (16 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I discussed the Syrian conflict and the crisis in Aleppo with my EU colleagues at the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday 12 December 2016. We agreed that the EU must press Russia and Iran to use their influence on the Assad regime to ensure that the illegal siege of the civilian population in eastern Aleppo ends and that humanitarian agencies are allowed into Aleppo as a matter of urgency....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (16 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: As I noted in Parliamentary Question No. 137 on 14 December 2016, the Government welcomes the democratic transition which is currently underway in Myanmar/Burma following elections in November 2015, and the positive steps that the new Government of Myanmar/Burma has taken in pursuit of peace and reconciliation, democratic reforms and economic growth. However we are concerned about the recent...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Prisoner Releases (16 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers. My officials in the Belfast Secretariat monitor this and other cases as part of their ongoing work around prison issues generally in Northern Ireland. The particular personal circumstances of the individual in question, including issues relating to access to Maghaberry for family members, has been raised with the Northern Ireland Office. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Travel (16 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 and 258 together. The core functions of my Department are predominantly concerned with international political and security policy, advancing reconciliation and cooperation on the island of Ireland, representing Ireland at the EU level, and promoting Ireland’s economic and trade interests in Europe and internationally. The Deputy will find details...