Results 6,501-6,520 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Good Friday Agreement (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I have made it abundantly clear on numerous occasions, as has the Taoiseach, that we stand fully behind all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement. In fact, I have just arrived to the House after a constructive and positive meeting with my colleague, Jean-Marc Ayrault, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs. In a press conference he specifically referred to the Good Friday Agreement and its...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Ministerial Meetings (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire. We held a bilateral meeting most recently in Dublin on 14 February. On Brexit, I reminded the Secretary of State of the particular impact on Northern Ireland of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union and of the entirely unique circumstances that pertain to Northern Ireland, given the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Ministerial Meetings (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Further to the commitment given by the Taoiseach to the House last week, I did raise with the Secretary of State, James Brokenshire, the concerns that were expressed by Members of the House, the Deputy included, regarding the issues connected with the Pitchford inquiry. I said this was a matter of concern, that these concerns had been raised in the House and that we felt it appropriate that...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Ministerial Meetings (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy is aware of these concerns because he has raised then, not only in the House with the Taoiseach last week, but also he had an opportunity during questions to the Minister for Justice and Equality. This matter relates to the portfolio of the Minister of Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald. I understand the Deputy raised these issues directly with the Minister in some...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Middle East Issues (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As I have reported to the House on a number of occasions, I am keeping under continuous review whether the immediate recognition by Ireland of a state of Palestine, prior to its real achievement on the ground, could be helpful towards the goal of resolving the conflict and, if so, when that might have the greatest impact. My two visits to the region have contributed to that ongoing...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Middle East Issues (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to assure to Deputy that as far as the latter is concerned, I will make it clear lest there is any doubt, these settlements are illegal, they actively undermine the prospects for a sustainable, negotiated two-state solution and the relentless expansion of settlements inherently involves injustice and provocation for Palestinians. The intention to proceed with new settlements in East...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Middle East Issues (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: That is precisely why this matter is under active consideration. I want to try to avoid lip service and ensure we can do something meaningful and positive. Recognition of Palestine would essentially be a symbolic step. It would not help slow the settlements. It would not prevent evictions or demolitions. It would not in any way hasten an end of the occupation. However, it would be a...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputy for raising this important question. Minimising the impact on trade and the economy is a key priority for the Government in the forthcoming Brexit negotiations. From our perspective this means, as the Taoiseach stated, that the best possible outcome in the negotiations is the closest possible economic and trading relationship between the European Union and the UK. Every...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the importance of County Wexford to the Deputy given that he represents its people in Dáil Éireann. However, I caution against any move to have County Wexford included as a border county. It is essential we continue to advocate strongly on the matter of the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland with particular reference to the Border between Northern Ireland and...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I agree these are important issues which need to be included in the context of our post-Brexit future. I understand we will need to look at, for example, our capital investment programme. However, the Government is fully prepared for the start of the negotiations which have not yet commenced. In recent weeks there has been increased commentary in the media that the negotiations will...

Other Questions: EU Migration Crisis (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Since mid-2015, the EU has responded to the migration crisis by adopting a range of measures, including engaging with countries of origin and transit to address the root causes of migration. The focus in recent months has been migration on the central Mediterranean route, with Libya representing the main country of departure. Most recently, this was the subject of discussions at an...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed) (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I welcome the speaker and look forward to seeing him tomorrow, when we will have an opportunity to discuss a number of matters. He is very welcome to our jurisdiction, as the Leas-Cheann Comhairle has said. What the international community is anxious to do and what the European Union wishes to do is to assist in our commitment to an inclusive political settlement in Libya. The situation...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed) (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The important thing is that the European Union continues to engage. We have already committed certain funds to the matter of capacity building. That will continue and its advancement will be dependent on the political situation in Libya, which is under ongoing review. The Deputy's concern is about the migration situation. It is important to recognise the fact that in 2016 alone, 181...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: 3 o’clock I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 51 to 53, inclusive, together. I wish to apprise the House of my meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire, on 14 February. I did deal with the issue of Brexit, particulars of which we probably have already discussed. On the current political situation in Northern Ireland, the Secretary of...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: They were answers.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I ask the Deputy to check the media sources because I certainly saw reaction in the media to comments that I made following the meeting. I do not have anything to add to the fact that I was asked to raise this issue, I did raise it, I raised the concern of the Deputy and I added to that my own concern.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Northern Ireland (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I know this is an issue the Deputy has had ample opportunity in recent weeks to raise with the designated line Minister, my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fitzgerald. I can say to the House that my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, has raised this directly with her counterpart, the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd. If there are any further...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Middle East Peace Process (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The two-state solution to the conflict between Israel and its Palestinian and Arab neighbours has been espoused by a consensus of the international community and supported by public opinion and responsible leaders in both Israeli and Palestinian society for many years. This support has been based on clear reasoning and analysis of the various options and alternatives, and these reasons...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Middle East Peace Process (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The new US Administration of President Trump is very much in its infancy. It has not yet made clear its intentions on the matter of the Middle East peace process. There seems to be a degree of thinking aloud going on, which, in the circumstances, can hardly be regarded as greatly helpful. There are concerns in this regard. However, with every new US Administration, one must wait and see...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Middle East Peace Process (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Deputy Paul Murphy wants it both ways - he wants to have his cake and eat it. He has already stated on numerous occasions that he does not want Ireland to be represented on St. Patrick's Day-----