Results 6,521-6,540 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

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

Charles Flanagan: -----at the White House. He is now producing a list of issues to be discussed in the event we are represented. On behalf of the Taoiseach, I assure the Deputy that Deputy Kenny will fully air Ireland's interests across a range of issues. However, the United States makes its own decisions as it considers its options. We will be in a position to make our views known, with particular...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Israeli Settlements (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The suggestion by the Deputy of trade sanctions against Israel is raised from time to time in this House. However, it is very clear that such a proposal would have no chance whatever of gaining any support, still less agreement, at EU level. Successive Ministers have stated this and, as Deputy Eamon Ryan will be well aware, this remains the case. There are many countries around the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Israeli Settlements (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: There are several issues on which we can continue to engage but working with our partners in the EU is the most direct and important way to exercise real and lasting influence. The EU has taken several actions to differentiate clearly between Israel and the illegal Israeli settlements. I point to a ban on EU research funding going to settlements, to not accepting Israeli certification for...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Israeli Settlements (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I have to be frank and say no, I do not envisage a situation in the near future where the EU will introduce the type of ban the Deputy speaks about. It is not possible to reach agreement on that. There are other areas upon which we can reach agreement with particular reference to the settlements. We will continue to engage at EU and international conference level, and I refer to the Paris...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Undocumented Irish in the USA (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31, 40, 41, 58 and 61 together. As I made clear in my statement of 29 January 2017 concerning the executive order signed by President Trump on 27 January last, while US immigration policy is a matter for the US authorities, it is clear that this decision could have far-reaching implications – both on humanitarian grounds and on relations between the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions (Resumed): Undocumented Irish in the USA (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I assure Deputy Darragh O'Brien that the Government continues to offer active and comprehensive support to Irish communities abroad, particularly in the United States of America, where many emigrant support groups provide assistance to the large Irish community there. Issues relating to Irish people who are undocumented and whose status has not been regularised feature strongly in our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 43 together. Firstly, and to be clear, the Government’s firm objective - as underlined in the clearest terms by the Taoiseach last week - is that there be no return to a hard border on this island. This is a political matter, not a legal or technical matter. It will have to be solved by political leadership and will require creativity,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: In my reply earlier to a Priority Question on this subject, I said:“As I have reported to the House, 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 a helpful step towards the goal of resolving the conflict. And, if so, when that might have the greatest impact.My two visits...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 35, 44 and 47 together. As I have said in this House on many occasions, 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The visit of President Michael D Higgins to Cuba last week, as part of his official three country visit to Latin America, marked a high point in bilateral relations between Ireland and Cuba. The visit was historic in that it was the first by a serving President of Ireland to Cuba. During the visit, a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Catalan Referendum (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The constitutional status of Catalonia is the subject of ongoing debate in Spain. As I have previously stated, constitutional and political issues in any country of the European Union can only be determined by its own institutions and people. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further on such debate in another EU member State.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland welcomes the democratic transition which is currently underway in Myanmar/Burma following elections in November 2015. We recognise the positive steps that the new Government of Myanmar/Burma has taken in pursuit of peace and reconciliation, democratic reforms and economic growth. I am however deeply concerned about the plight of the Rohingya people in Myanmar, as well as Rohingya...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 59 together. The US President has extended an invitation to the Taoiseach to visit the White House for the traditional St Patrick’s Day events this March. Similarly, Vice-President Pence has said that he would be happy to continue the tradition of hosting a St Patrick’s Day breakfast at the US Naval Observatory, while Speaker Paul...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I discussed legacy issues with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when we met in Dublin on 30 January, following on from detailed engagement with him on these matters at previous bilateral meetings. In my discussions, both with the Secretary of State and with the political parties in Northern Ireland, I have made consistently clear that the rule of law, including the requirement...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Migration Crisis (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Last March, EU leaders and Turkey agreed on the terms of a Statement to address the mass movement of people entering the EU from Turkey. The core intention of the EU Turkey Statement is to break the business model of the people smugglers profiting from the suffering of the vulnerable and to discourage migrants from risking their lives in dangerous sea journeys. The period since the Statement...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to record my absolute and unreserved condemnation of the vile and criminal acts committed against the Yazidis by the terrorist group Da’esh. These crimes continue to this day, against Yazidis held captive by Da’esh. The protection of the Yazidi population and other populations from these crimes is a matter for the United Nations, in particular the Security Council of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Immigration Controls (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As I made clear in my statement of 29 January, 2017, concerning the Executive Order signed by President Trump on 27 January last, while US immigration policy is a matter for the US authorities, it is clear that this decision could have far-reaching implications – both on humanitarian grounds and on relations between the US and the global Muslim community. Accordingly, I share the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The issue of the destruction by Israel of structures in Area C of the West Bank, which have been funded by the EU or its Member States, is a matter that is currently under discussion at EU level. It has been raised at the Foreign Affairs Council, and Ireland has taken an active role in extended consideration at official level. Ireland has argued for a stronger response to demolitions and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I would refer the Deputy also to my replies to Questions 29 and 33 earlier today on this subject. I am keeping under continuous review the question of whether and when an immediate recognition by Ireland of a state of Palestine might be helpful, bearing in mind the positive and negative arguments which I have previously outlined, and developments both on the ground and in the wider...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (22 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 62 together. While President Trump has made clear his preference for moving the United States Embassy to Jerusalem, his Administration has stated that it is studying the issue before making any announcement. Previous US Presidents have expressed similar wishes but, on entering office, have realised that there are very good reasons why every other...