Results 6,781-6,800 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Conventions (13 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The international human rights framework exists to protect and promote the human rights of all people and its advancement is a key foreign policy priority for Ireland. Ireland was among a number of countries, including all EU Member States, that co-sponsored the resolution on the rights of older persons, adopted by the Human Rights Council on 29 September 2016. The resolution aims to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (13 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland is deeply concerned by the continued discrimination, intimidation and systematic harassment of people based on their religion or belief. Ireland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur and who the victims are. Our commitment to promoting freedom of religion and belief is reaffirmed in the Global Island:...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (13 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: Undocumented Irish in the USA (13 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Government and Ireland’s diplomatic representatives in the United States of America continue to actively monitor the situation of the undocumented Irish in the United States. We also systematically avail of opportunities to raise their situation with the US Government and Congressional representatives, pressing our case that a solution to their plight will be found. I raised...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Information and Communications Technology (13 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: €1.22 million in capital funding was allocated to ICT for this Department in 2017. To-date, €48,700 has been spent. €7.3 million in capital funding was allocated to the Passport Service for 2017. To date €250,031 has been spent. My Department has made considerable progress in the provision of a global ICT infrastructure to underpin the provision of its services....

European Council Meeting: Statements (2 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Of course, we can have a debate.

European Council Meeting: Statements (2 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: There are questions every day.

European Council Meeting: Statements (2 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: On the last question, it is too early to pre-empt the final decision. Certainly it is the Irish Government's desire that these matters can be completed by means of an orderly process without any requirement for treaty change at the end of the process. There was criticism earlier about the debate. It is important for this House to debate the matter. I request the Business Committee give...

European Council Meeting: Statements (2 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The object of the exercise will be to find common ground on the maintenance of that open Border, common ground with our UK colleagues-----

European Council Meeting: Statements (2 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: ----- and also with the European Union 26.

European Council Meeting: Statements (2 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The issue of the special status is repeatedly raised by Sinn Féin spokespersons. The object of our engagement, prior to reaching agreement on the guidelines, was that the unique and special circumstances on the island of Ireland would be fully recognised, appreciated and acknowledged by our colleagues. I believe we have achieved that in the context of the guidelines. I have been asked...

European Council Meeting: Statements (2 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I should have referred to that in my previous response. I will deal with it in my response to Deputy Howlin.

European Council Meeting: Statements (2 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Accept the principle of liability.

European Council Meeting: Statements (2 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Notwithstanding the process of the UK withdrawal from the EU, Europe will continue apace-----

European Council Meeting: Statements (2 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: -----in terms of its own engagement. Ireland is committed to remaining a constructive and active member and will engage in that regard, as we have done in the past. We have considered ourselves over the years to be an Ireland at the heart of Europe. We value our membership of the EU. In the context of the forthcoming negotiations, it is important that the process of ongoing development of...

European Council Meeting: Statements (2 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: -----and how that might be mitigated.

European Council Meeting: Statements (2 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: When Deputy Howlin said that much of the debate has been negative, I acknowledge that because I do not see any good news on the matter of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU. I believe it was a bad decision and is a difficult issue.

European Council Meeting: Statements (2 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The answer to that question is that it is possible to do that once an element of progress is made early on in the negotiations on the issues that the EU has prioritised. I am very pleased and make no apologies for the fact that Ireland has been prioritised in that regard in respect of our Border, citizenship and the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland, which is something we sought...

European Council Meeting: Statements (2 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: We did not get a veto as the Spanish did in the case of Gibraltar because the situation is entirely different. We acknowledge that under the Good Friday Agreement, Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. It was voted on by the people of Ireland, North and South, in 1998. We are satisfied that the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland have been fully recognised as part of...

European Council Meeting: Statements (2 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland was anxious from day one that its unique circumstances would be fully recognised in the context of the Good Friday Agreement and the legal and constitutional configuration on the island of Ireland with reference to Northern Ireland and that has been achieved.