Results 6,741-6,760 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Other Questions: Military Aircraft Landings (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Successive Governments have made landing facilities available at Shannon Airport to the US for well over 50 years. These arrangements are governed by strict conditions, including that the aircraft must be unarmed, carry no arms, ammunition or explosives and not engage in intelligence gathering and that the flights concerned do not form part of military exercises or operations. These...

Other Questions: Military Aircraft Landings (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will be aware that prior permission is required for all foreign military aircraft to land at Irish airports and that, if granted, permission is subject to strict conditions, which I have outlined. Indeed bilateral relations between friendly nations are founded on mutual trust. Both parties have an interest in maintaining that trust. Details provided by diplomatic missions,...

Other Questions: Military Aircraft Landings (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I do not accept what the Deputy has said. Lest there be any doubt, let me say that I was horrified at the apparent chemical attack in Syria last week. The attack was barbaric and my thoughts continue to be with the victims and their families. I condemn, unreservedly, the attack and those responsible. The attack further underlines the need for accountability and a genuine political...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Following the Assembly election, I spoke on 5 March with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and the Taoiseach spoke with Prime Minister May. Both Governments agreed on the need for intensive engagement to address outstanding issues and commitments to ensure the early establishment of an Executive. As co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, both Governments have a role to play...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Prison Facilities (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to reiterate my ongoing concerns about conditions in Maghaberry Prison, Northern Ireland. Maghaberry Prison was identified by the Criminal Justice Inspector, Brendan McGuigan, in a 2015 report as needing work to make the prison safer and to improve conditions for staff. Since publication of that report, the Criminal Justice Inspectorate has continued with a programme of announced,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The procedural arrangements that will apply on the EU side in the negotiation process were agreed at the meeting of 27 Heads of State or Government including the Taoiseach on 15 December 2016. These arrangements are based on the provisions of Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. The European Commission will be the Union negotiator. Its team will be led by Michel Barnier and will...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am deeply concerned by the situation in Venezuela following rulings on 28 and 29 March by the country’s Supreme Court which rescinded the constitutional powers of the democratically elected National Assembly of Venezuela. Venezuela is facing grave and deteriorating political, economic, and social crises. While domestic and international pressure led to the rescinding last week...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I attended the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 3 April. My EU counterparts and I also met with the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States. The conflict in Syria is causing untold suffering and displacement of civilians on the ground. I and my EU counterparts made clear that the Syrian regime has the primary responsibility for the protection of the Syrian population, and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I made an official visit to Italy over the St Patrick’s Day weekend, 15-19 March. The visit began in Milan on 15 March where I had a series of engagements to promote Irish business involving clients of Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and Tourism Ireland. Growing our bilateral trade and investment relations with Italy and other EU partners is an important part of the Government’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Israeli Settlements (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: There have been a number of deeply disappointing and damaging announcements by the Israeli Government in relation to settlements in recent months, both large scale construction approvals and now the authorisation of an entirely new settlement. I have consistently made clear Ireland’s views on the settlement enterprise. Settlements are illegal, they actively undermine the prospects...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Shannon Airport Facilities (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I have not yet had the opportunity to meet with the new US Secretary of State Mr. Rex Tillerson since he was sworn into office on 1 February. I look forward to meeting him and to discussing all aspects of our bilateral relationship. The Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952, made under the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1946, gives the Minister for Foreign Affairs...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Government’s firm position is that the Good Friday Agreement and the successor Agreements must be implemented in full, and this is reflected in the Programme for Partnership Government. The Agreements, and the principles and values underpinning them, are at the core of the Government’s approach to peace, reconciliation and prosperity on this island. The Government will...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Naval Vessels (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: In response to a request from the US Embassy, my Department granted permission for a visit by the US naval vessel, USS Donald Cook, to visit the port of Cobh from 21-25 March 2017. The purpose of the visit to Ireland was crew rest and relaxation. Routine courtesy visits by naval vessels to foreign ports are a regular feature of international relations and help to further bilateral ties...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Religious Persecution (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: At the outset I would like to express my horror at the two attacks on Coptic Churches in northern Egypt on Sunday, and to extend my deepest condolences to the victims and their families. The political turmoil which has overwhelmed many countries in the Middle East in recent years has led to increased concerns about the safety of several religious minorities and other minority groups....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: A central pillar of the Government’s response to last year’s UK referendum on EU membership has been strategic outreach to EU partners and Institutions to ensure that the unique Irish perspective on Brexit is understood before negotiations begin. To that end, a significant programme of engagements with EU partners began after the referendum some time ago and will continue. To...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: 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 to the region have contributed to that ongoing consideration, and I have...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Government and Ireland’s diplomatic representatives in the United States of America systematically avail of opportunities to raise the situation of the undocumented Irish with the US Government and Congressional representatives, expressing our hope that their situation will be regularized. I raised these issues during my meetings with senior members of Congress from both sides...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Respect for the fundamental values on which the European Union is founded and which are set out in the Treaty, including respect for the rule of law and freedom of expression, must continue to be at the forefront of all efforts which Member States and the institutions make to tackle the very many challenges now confronting the EU. The Government has been following closely recent...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (12 Apr 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 and the Government and by my Department. The Taoiseach has in recent days renewed the Government’s appeal to the Egyptian President to release this Irish citizen and return him to Ireland without delay. This is the Government’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 60 together. I was horrified to learn of the chemical attack in Khan Sheikhoun last week which killed scores of civilians and seriously injured many more. The attack was simply barbaric, and my thoughts are with the victims and their families. I condemn unreservedly the attack and those responsible. The attack further underlines the need for...