Results 6,361-6,380 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of recent developments concerning the Ecuadorian non-governmental organisation, Acción Ecológica, and of the difficult situation which currently pertains for environmental rights defenders in Ecuador and in many parts of Latin America today. Environmental degradation and the rights of indigenous communities to be consulted in regard to development projects which affect...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: My attention has been brought to the specific case to which the Deputy refers, namely the tragic killing of Mr. Isidro Baldenegro López on 15 January. Mr. Baldenegro is the second recipient of the Goldman environmental prize to be killed in the space of 12 months, and in that context I would also like to pay tribute to the memory of Berta Cáceres, the Honduran activist and Goldman...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 to 170, inclusive, together. The Government’s preparations for the upcoming negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU have been extensive. From the outset of our preparations we have been clear about our priorities, which remain: minimising the impact on trade and the economy; protecting the Northern Ireland Peace Process;...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Government is under no illusion about the nature and scale of the Brexit challenge. A critical part of our work is ensuring that our particular position and priorities are understood across Europe: therefore engagement with our EU partners and with the EU institutions is critical. This programme of intense engagement at political and official level is continuing to ensure that the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: This 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 ensure that the Egyptian...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Security Strategy (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The EU Global Strategy sets out a vision for the EU’s foreign and security policy, and commits the EU to promoting peace, prosperity, democracy and the rule of law. It provides a timely and welcome framework through which to develop outward-looking policy settings which encompass foreign and security policy and which mobilise all aspects of the EU’s external action in pursuit...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Western Balkans Issues (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: There are currently five countries which have EU 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 is a strong supporter of the enlargement process, and views it as a transformative driver for peace, stability and prosperity in the region....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Reform (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The United Nations plays a critical role in the maintenance of international peace and security and in the resolution of conflicts, which are at the root of the migration and humanitarian crises facing the world today. It does this primarily through the UN Security Council which has a variety of tools at its disposal to address threats to international peace and to contribute towards the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (25 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Eastern Partnership Initiative provides a framework for cooperation between the EU and six countries in the EU’s Eastern Neighbourhood, including Ukraine, Georgia and Armenia. The aims of the Eastern Partnership are to promote peace and stability in the region and to enhance economic and political integration between the participating countries and the EU. The model of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (25 Jan 2017)

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: EU Issues (25 Jan 2017)

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: Undocumented Irish in the USA (26 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...

Seanad: Visit of Bosnia Herzegovina Delegation (26 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I join the Acting Chairman in extending a welcome to Foreign Minister Crnadak and the ambassador, H.E. Mr. Neškovic from Bosnia Herzegovina. I had the opportunity to have a very positive and constructive bilateral engagement with the delegation this morning. Ireland and Bosnia Herzegovina have a great deal in common. We note the application of Bosnia Herzegovina for accession as a...

Seanad: Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (Hague Convention) Bill 2016: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the comprehensive debate we had on the Bill on Second Stage in the House some weeks ago. I note that there is one Government amendment. This is a technical amendment to correct a reference in the Bill to reflect the recent change in the title of the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs since the publication of the Bill.

Seanad: Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (Hague Convention) Bill 2016: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the impending passing of the Bill by the House and thank Senators for their consideration of the matter. As I said on Second Stage some weeks ago, while the Bill's concern with the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict represents something of a narrow focus, its enactment will be a further important demonstration of Ireland's support for international...

Seanad: Northern Ireland: Statements (26 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I welcome the ongoing engagement of the Seanad with matters relating to Northern Ireland, which is a key priority for all of us in both Houses, and I look forward to listening to the contributions of Senators. As they will appreciate, this is a critical time for Northern Ireland, which is again in election mode less than a year after the previous election. In the weeks before the election...

Seanad: Northern Ireland: Statements (26 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Senators for their contributions, guidance, advice and suggestions. I always very much value the opportunity of coming to the Seanad. I agree with Senators that we should have a more frequent and intensified engagement, our respective schedules permitting. I would be happy to explore further opportunities in this regard. All Members acknowledge the Good Friday Agreement has...

Seanad: Northern Ireland: Statements (26 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Government will continue -----

Seanad: Northern Ireland: Statements (26 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Again, I wish to make it perfectly clear to everyone that we will continue to support the Irish language on an all-island basis, including, as we already do, through providing financial support for the work of Foras na Gaeilge. The St. Andrews Agreement also provided for a review to identify additional areas for North-South co-operation. Again, the Government supported a provision in the...

Seanad: Northern Ireland: Statements (26 Jan 2017)

Charles Flanagan: What I can say to the Senator is that there is a Cabinet committee dealing with this issue on the basis that each and every Government Department is in some way affected by the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. That special Cabinet sub-committee will be meeting again late this afternoon. Each Department has engaged in an impact assessment on the forthcoming...