Results 6,581-6,600 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (28 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 29 on 22 February, which was as follows: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 been supported by public opinion and responsible leaders in both Israeli and Palestinian society, for many years. This support has been based on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legal Proceedings (28 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: US President Donald Trump has been publicly quoted since his inauguration in January 2017 as intending to undertake a comprehensive review of the US tax code. However, as yet, no details of a potential reform package have been formally announced by the US Administration. Any reform would have to be agreed by the Administration with both Houses of the US Congress. In the absence of any...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Issues (28 Feb 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Interdepartmental Committee on the Irish Abroad was set up following the publication of Global Irish – Ireland’s Diaspora Policy, in March 2015. The Committee, with participation from external stakeholders and Irish embassies and consulates as required, seeks to ensure that Government works in a joined-up way to realise the objectives of the diaspora strategy. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (1 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: This long-running and complex consular case continues to be a top priority for the Government and we are doing everything possible to ensure that the Egyptian authorities are in no doubt about our determination to see this young man returned to his home and his family at the earliest possible time. The reality is that it is the Egyptian authorities that are detaining this citizen, and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (2 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Passports Act, 2008 (the Act) makes provision for the regulation and issuance of passports. Under section 7(1)(b) of the Act, the Department must be satisfied as to the identity of a passport applicant before a passport can issue. An original birth certificate is a key, primary identity document to support a passport application and therefore a copy is not acceptable.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (2 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: In general terms I and my Department use all available opportunities to highlight the targeted turnaround times for different categories of passport and to promote good practice including in public statements, media engagements and in the Houses of the Oireachtas. The passport portal on the website of my Department, www.dfa.ie/passport, contains comprehensive guidance and advice to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (2 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I deeply regret that an Ambassador accredited to Ireland, in this case the Ambassador of Israel, was unable to speak at a recent event in Trinity College. I would hope that we can all respect the principle of free speech, including allowing a hearing to those we might disagree with. This goes in particular for Ambassadors in the performance of their representative duties. If we expect...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Process RIA (2 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 142 together. Since March 2011 my Department has sponsored four items of legislation which are set out in the following table. A regulatory impact assessment (RIA) should be prepared in relation to all proposals for primary legislation involving changes to the regulatory environment. However, most of the legislation brought forward by my Department...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (7 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh has deteriorated significantly in the past 12 months following a serious outbreak of violence in April 2016. I am deeply concerned by the ongoing tensions and violence, including reports of a serious military escalation on 25 February which resulted in tragic loss of life. Ireland fully supports the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group to make progress in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (7 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Significant Government funding and support is given through the Emigrant Support Programme, administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, to support organisations working with citizens who wish to return to Ireland. Over the last decade over €4 million has been allocated to the Crosscare and Safehome organisations working with returning emigrants. Their 2016 funding saw...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (7 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The following table contains the information. My Department did not incur expenditure on external public relations services in 2016. The expenditure in question has rather arisen in the context of specific initiatives under Ireland’s overseas development programme for which we have from time to time commissioned companies with a public relations and communications background to provide...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (7 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am familiar with the case of the person in question, and of his repeated imprisonment and release over the last number of years for his work as a human rights defender. This has coincided with an overall deterioration in the human rights situation in Bahrain of late. This has manifested in particular in the targeting those who express dissent or criticism of the Bahraini Government,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Construction Industry (7 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Office of Public Works provides my Department with office accommodation for its offices in Ireland. In the case of our offices abroad, the Department does undertake construction projects to maintain those properties which the State owns and, in the case of leased properties, would carry out necessary maintenance to ensure lease requirements are adhered to. These projects would be...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (7 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 355 and 356 together. As is clear from the information provided in my reply of 22 February, Ireland has consistently advocated for the creation and maintenance of a safe and enabling environment for civil society space actors. We believe such a safe and enabling environment should be maintained in all States and indeed in international and regional...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (7 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: In 2016 the direct current expenditure incurred by the three Passport Service offices in the State amounted to approximately €32 million. This figure does not include rental and other accommodation costs of these Passport Offices. Nor does it capture the accommodation, operational, staffing and other current costs incurred by our Embassies and Consulates around the world,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Data (7 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The total number of passport applications received from Irish citizens based in the countries specified are as follows: Country 2015 2016 2017 (up to 28 February) South Africa 3374 3396 567 United Arab Emirates 1365 1708 373 Australia 6518 6981 1126 Canada 3096 3497 646 There were significant increases in applications from citizens based in Australia, Canada and in the United Arab...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (8 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland has been a member of the Partnership for Peace since 1999. Our engagement with the programme is carried out via a Liaison Office in Brussels. Ireland’s participation in the Partnership aims to ensure that our Defence Forces have the necessary capabilities to continue to partner effectively and securely with other nations in UN-mandated peacekeeping operations. The cost of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (9 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: This consular case remains a top priority for the Government. The Taoiseach has been in regular contact directly and personally with the Egyptian President about this case. As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I am continuing to devote very considerable time and effort to this case. I travelled to Cairo to raise the case with the Egyptian authorities at the highest levels. I have...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (9 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 180 to 182, inclusive, together. Following the outcome of the Northern Ireland Assembly election the Taoiseach spoke with Prime Minister May on 5 March and I spoke with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. I also had discussions with a number of the main party leaders in Northern Ireland. Both Governments are agreed on the need for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (9 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The inaugural plenary meeting of the All-Island Civic Dialogue took place on 2 November 2016. As a direct follow-up to this, to reflect on the main issues raised, the Government organised a series of fourteen sector-specific events which have been hosted by Ministers in a range of locations across the country. A number of those events were held in border areas. The second plenary meeting...