Results 6,821-6,840 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

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

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, there has been a surge in passport applications in recent months. Between 1 January and mid-April, over 290,000 applications were received, representing an increase of 19% over the same period last year. The Passport Service has recruited 230 Temporary Clerical Officers to respond to the seasonal demand and the more general increase in passport applications. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (2 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 642 to 645, inclusive, together. The Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952, made under the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1946, gives the Minister for Foreign Affairs primary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland. Successive Ministers for Foreign Affairs have put in place strict conditions...

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

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, there has been a surge in passport applications in recent months. Between 1 January and mid-April, over 290,000 applications were received, representing an increase of 19% over the same period last year. The average processing time for renewal applications submitted through the An Post Passport Express service is 16 working days, one day over the target 15 working...

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

Charles Flanagan: The Passport Service does not compile data based on country of residence but rather on application channel. Details in this regard are as follows for the period 20 April 2016 to 20 April 2017. Application Channel Number of Applications Counter Applications (Dublin & Cork) 33,131 An Post Passport Express 528,320 Northern Ireland Passport Express 80,083 Great Britain...

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

Charles Flanagan: The large majority of passport applications are currently submitted through the post office networks on this island. This includes more than seventy post offices in Northern Ireland and more than one thousand post offices in this state. With the availability of both the online passport renewal service for adults and the An Post Passport Express service, very few applicants in Ireland are...

Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (Hague Convention) Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (3 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputies for their consideration of the Bill and for their contributions to the debate on it. As I said in my initial contribution, while the Bill has a narrow focus and is concerned with the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict, its enactment by the Oireachtas will be a further important demonstration of Ireland's broader support for international...

Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (Hague Convention) Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee (3 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I can do so but it is regrettable that the Opposition spokespersons are not here now. Had they been here, perhaps we could have dealt with the Bill entirely.

Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (Hague Convention) Bill 2016 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee (3 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence, pursuant to Standing Orders 84A(3)(a) and 149(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (3 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of alarming reports by international human rights organisations and in the media of a campaign of abduction, abuse and ill-treatment of men in the Chechen Republic on the basis of their sexual orientation. If confirmed, these actions would amount to serious violations of fundamental human rights. In a statement delivered to the Seanad on my behalf by Minister Helen McEntee on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (3 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am very familiar with the case of the person in question, with his work as a human rights defender, and with his treatment by the Bahraini authorities since June 2016, and indeed before this. My Department has also recently been made aware of his health issues, which have reportedly deteriorated seriously during his most recent incarceration. Ireland attaches a high priority to...

Diplomatic Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Order for Second Stage (4 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Diplomatic Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Second Stage (4 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am pleased to have the opportunity to address the House on Second Stage of the Diplomatic Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill which was published on 5 April. The purpose of the Bill is to enhance the efficiency, efficacy and clarity of various arrangements with respect to the staff of diplomatic missions and international...

Diplomatic Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Second Stage (4 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am sure we can supply it. Another concern with section 49 is that it may be construed as interfering with an international organisation's right to freely appoint its own staff. Only a small number of Irish nationals serve in the State with international organisations covered by the 1967 Act. Furthermore, privileges and immunities enjoyed by officials of international organisations are...

Diplomatic Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Second Stage (4 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Deputies for their comments and statements and indeed for their support for this legislation. As I said at the outset, this largely technical Bill is designed to bring a greater element of clarity and efficiency to the arrangements that are in place for diplomatic missions and international organisations operating within the State. It also aims to strengthen further the safeguards...

Diplomatic Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Second Stage (4 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I will now respond to Deputy Crowe's point about the alleged abuse of immunity. I thank the Deputy, and indeed Deputy O'Brien, for supporting this Bill. At all times, my departmental officials and I are determined to ensure privileges and immunities are not used as a cover for failing to comply with requirements under the Irish code of law. I referred earlier to the guidelines that have...

Diplomatic Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Second Stage (4 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: No.

Diplomatic Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017: Referral to Select Committee (4 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence pursuant to Standing Orders 84A(3)(a) and 149(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business.

Topical Issue Debate: UN Committees (4 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am very conscious of the debate in Ireland and elsewhere in Europe about the outcome of last month's election to the UN Commission on the Status of Women. I am a strong believer in the equal rights of women and support the role of the commission in addressing questions of gender equality. As set out in our foreign policy review, The Global Island, Ireland is committed to advancing...

Topical Issue Debate: UN Committees (4 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I visited Saudi Arabia and had the opportunity of meeting my counterpart. I availed of that opportunity to raise human rights issues and, in particular, the status of women, women's rights and the importance of equality in society. The United Nations at all levels, including the Security Council and the Offices of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Under-Secretary General...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad (4 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am very awareof the extremely difficult circumstances in which this individual and his family find themselves. I have personally raised my concerns about the case, and about the health and wellbeing of the individual concerned, with my Philippines counterpart, most recently at the UN in New York last September. My Department officials in Dublin, at and our Embassy in Singapore and at our...