Results 6,281-6,300 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (24 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Following the publication of the Working Outline of the National Plan on Business and Human Rights in late 2015, my Department engaged in an extensive consultation process with the aim of ensuring the broadest possible participation in the development of the Plan. Work on the Plan is nearing conclusion and I expect that it will be published within the next three months. Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Nuclear Proliferation (24 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: A UN-mandated Diplomatic Conference to negotiate a treaty to prohibit Nuclear Weapons leading to their total elimination will begin in New York on 27 March. Ireland will pay an active role in these negotiations. It is our view that the negotiations will provide a solid basis for much needed progress on nuclear disarmament. The negotiations will be open to all States, to civil society...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (24 Jan 2017)

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 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. These include our national...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (24 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: In line with our respective responsibilities for military and civil aircraft, my Department works closely with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport on issues relating to landings by aircraft at Irish airports with a view to ensuring compliance with the relevant conditions applicable in this area. Officials from my Department are in contact with their counterparts in the Department...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (24 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The EU Global Strategy (EUGS) commits the EU to promoting peace, security, prosperity, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. These objectives are to be pursued through a comprehensive approach using the range of instruments available to the European Union, including political, diplomatic, economic development, trade, peace-keeping and crisis management tools. Five priority areas...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Agreements (24 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Saudi Arabia significantly increased its visa fees in October 2016. Many other countries have negotiated, or are in the process of negotiating, bilateral agreements with Saudi Arabia to lower visa costs. I consider it important that Irish citizens would also benefit from reduced visa fees, and so my Department is currently exploring the possibility of negotiating a bilateral agreement to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Sanctions (24 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I welcomed the passing of Security Council resolution 2334, which restated important international positions on the Middle East Peace Process and on critical issues such as settlements. The reiteration that settlements are illegal under international law was timely, but it is not new. This has been the clear position of the Government, of the EU, and of the broader international community,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (24 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Achieving relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the US and agreement on a facility for future migration between Ireland and the US are longstanding Government objectives. We continue to be committed to these aims notwithstanding the changed political context in the United States. The Government has raised the issue of immigration reform with US interlocutors – including at the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Neutrality (24 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: On 24 November last year, the Dáil debated the Thirty-Fifth Amendment of the Constitution (Neutrality) Bill 2016. The debate provided a valuable opportunity to re-state the Government’s commitment to Ireland’s longstanding policy of military neutrality. As I said at the time, I am satisfied that Ireland’s longstanding policy of military neutrality is safeguarded...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Safety of Irish Citizens Abroad (24 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am very awareof the extremely difficult circumstances in which this individual and his family find themselves. I have personally raised my concerns about the case, and about the health and wellbeing of the individual concerned, with my Philippines counterpart, most recently at the UN in New York last September. This is an ongoing legal case. At this time, the priority focus of our Embassy...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Correspondence (24 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: This complex and long-running consular case continues to be a top priority for the Government and substantial resources and time are being devoted to it, by the Taoiseach, by me as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, by officials in my Department, by our Ambassador and his team in Cairo, and by the entire Irish diplomatic network. The Government is doing everything it possibly can to...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 45 together. The Government has noted the content of Prime Minister May’s speech last week and welcomed the fact that it provides greater clarity on the proposed approach of the British Government to the Brexit negotiation process. Prime Minister May has made clear that she wishes to secure the closest possible future economic...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: During recent months, I have had the opportunity to speak directly with all of my EU colleagues. There have been a number of personnel changes since then and I have arranged a number of meetings for the next few weeks in those cases. I am encouraged by the manner in which the Irish concerns have been received across the EU. I am encouraged at the appreciation, acknowledgement and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I remind the Deputy that negotiations have not yet commenced. To look for the end of the story before the negotiations have even commenced is probably somewhat ambitious. I welcome what Commissioner Barnier said, when he clearly indicated his understanding of the position on the island of Ireland and, furthermore, that he is anxious that this position be "defended". I also welcome what...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I agree with the importance of the points the Deputy has stressed. I assure him and the House that the issues will be fundamental in the context of Ireland's position. I listened to Prime Minister May's speech. 4 o’clock While the Deputy refers to certain aspects of the speech, it is important that we keep it in context. In her Lancaster House address, she said:We cannot forget...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The controversy concerning the substance of the RHI scheme is a matter solely and exclusively for the devolved institutions, and not something on which I or the Government would comment. As stated previously, I regret the circumstances which led to the decision of the deputy First Minister to resign from office. I acknowledge his contribution and leadership over the past decade within the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I regularly discuss the political situation in Northern Ireland with the Secretary of State. I have discussed the current instability with reference to the issues raised as recently as late last week. It is important that the conduct of the elections is such that all parties ultimately elected to the assembly have a responsibility towards establishing a working Executive in accordance with...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I had a constructive face-to-face meeting with the British Secretary of State late last week and I intend to meet him early next week. I remind the Deputy that in the 2014 Stormont House Agreement, the Government and the British Government, recalling the commitments from previous agreements, endorsed the need for respect for and recognition of the Irish language in Northern Ireland. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Irish Prisoners Abroad (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I repeat to the House, as I have on a number of occasions over the past two years, that this consular case continues to be a top priority for the Government and substantial resources and time are being devoted to it not only be me but by the Taoiseach, officials in my Department and the Taoiseach's Department, by our ambassador and his team in Cairo and by the entire diplomatic network. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Irish Prisoners Abroad (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I will again make it clear that the Egyptian Government is in absolutely no doubt about the position of the Irish Government. The Taoiseach has made our views absolutely clear and it was interesting that the response of President el-Sisi to members of the delegation was the same response that was received by the Taoiseach following his intercession and contact with President el-Sisi. That...