Results 6,901-6,920 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: International Trade Agreements: Motion (25 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: These would be standard agreements. It is not that any of these issues particularly refers to Mongolia or any issues of concern in terms of our relationship with Mongolia. In terms of this partnership co-operation, the essential aspects are that the European Union would work towards supporting the democratic and economic development of the country. In order to do so in a way that is...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: International Trade Agreements: Motion (25 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputy for his support. He makes two points that warrant response. On the matter of the form of framework agreement which members will have, it is a rather standard agreement with a wide range of references and issues from human rights to trade to counter-terrorism. I do not see any aspect which is specifically designed for the EU's relationship with Mongolia. Rather, it is...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: International Trade Agreements: Motion (25 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Trade between Ireland and Mongolia is modest in value and, indeed, in volume. In 2015, total merchandise trade was valued at €8.2 million. Of that, exports from Ireland were at €7.4 million while imports were roughly 10% of that figure. There is potential, however. While the figures are modest and the engagement is little more than minimal in terms of our own international...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: International Trade Agreements: Motion (25 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I agree and would point to the UN's universal periodic review of Mongolia which contained 164 recommendations, 150 of which have been accepted. Those recommendations refer to a wide range of pursuits, including those just mentioned by the Chairman.

Order of Business (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I agree with the Leader of the Opposition on this issue. The delay is worrying and the continuing detention of our citizen is unfair and unjust. On the specific questions posed by the Deputy, I raised the issue only last week at EU level with a number of EU foreign affairs colleagues, as well as with High Representative Mogherini and expressed the concern of the Irish people and Government....

Priority Questions: Passport Applications Data (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As of 26 May, there were almost 80,000 passport applications in the processing system. Of these, approximately 34,000 were first-time applications and 46,000 were renewals. The turnaround time for online applications is 10 working days plus postage. The target turnaround time for Passport Express renewal applications is 15 working days and this is currently being met. The target...

Priority Questions: Passport Applications Data (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I recognise this is an ongoing challenge of significant dimensions having regard to issues as raised by Deputy Darragh O'Brien. A total of 75,145 applications have come from Northern Ireland and almost 70,000 from Great Britain between 25 June last year and 29 May this year. This is an increase of 50% from Northern Ireland and 55% from Great Britain over that period. I keep the situation...

Priority Questions: Passport Applications Data (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: We are in the course of a comprehensive reform programme in the Passport Office which will involve upgrading and modernising all system across the Passport Service up to 2019. This includes newer technology, new business processes, extra staff, improved service. We also moved office. This is medium-to-long-term planning in the Passport Office. We have also taken steps to improve...

Priority Questions: Northern Ireland (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the comments to which the Deputy refers, and I am concerned. Dealing with long-outstanding issues relating to the legacy of the conflict in Northern Ireland is of the utmost importance to me, as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Government. A Programme for a Partnership Government makes specific reference to the Government's commitment to the establishment of...

Priority Questions: Northern Ireland (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am very concerned by the issue raised by the Deputy, but I repeat that the Government is fully committed to the architecture set out in the Stormont House agreement which provides the best framework for dealing comprehensively with the legacy of the past. There is no provision in the Good Friday Agreement for an amnesty from prosecution and the Government would not look favourably on any...

Priority Questions: Northern Ireland (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Let me make it clear that I have already raised this issue with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. James Brokenshire. I will also raise it with important elected representatives as soon as the talks get under way again. I acknowledge the many men and women on both sides of the Border who performed their official duty to protect the public with honour, dedication and...

Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Over the course of the past 11 months, since the referendum in the United Kingdom I, with my Government colleagues, I have been involved in an extensive programme of engagements with our EU partners on Brexit. There have been over 400 such engagements with the 27 EU member states and institutions which included, most recently, the visit of the European Union’s chief negotiator, Mr....

Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am satisfied that Ireland's long-standing policy of military neutrality is sufficiently safeguarded by the existing constitutional provisions, such mechanisms as the protocol to the Lisbon Treaty, the various Defence Acts and our long-term policy documents. Tax rates remain within the exclusive competence of member states. All member states are free to set their own corporation tax rate,...

Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I assure the Deputy and the House that there is no question of any form of complacency on the part of the Government in respect of this issue. We have made a reasonably positive start to these negotiations. Our priorities have been included in the negotiating guidelines and in the commencement position of the British Government, as outlined in its White Paper and in the letters sent to the...

Priority Questions: Prisoner Welfare (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Thankfully, the hunger strike by Palestinian prisoners has ended following an agreement at the weekend. It is understood that a new arrangement for a second family visit per month, and possibly other understandings, was the basis for ending the strike. The hunger strike by over 1,000 prisoners was a matter of great concern as it was entering its seventh week. I am relieved that it has...

Priority Questions: Prisoner Welfare (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge that some of the demands of the prisoners were made to seek forms of treatment that are broadly in line with international law. It should always be the case that prisoners receive such treatment. Some of the other demands, such as those relating to prison conditions, seemed reasonable. I do not really know all the circumstances, so I am not going to comment in any great...

Priority Questions: Prisoner Welfare (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I know that the Knesset passed a law two years ago authorising force feeding. My understanding is that this law has not been used to date. I am also aware that the Israeli doctors' organisation has stated that its members will not participate in force feeding. Fears that have been expressed about the use of force feeding have thus far not been borne out, but I want to avail of the...

Priority Questions: Military Aircraft Landings (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: 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 Governments have made landing facilities available at Shannon Airport to the United States for well over a period of 50 years now. These...

Priority Questions: Military Aircraft Landings (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I reject what the Deputy has said about our military neutrality. The practical implementation of the conditions for granting permission for landings is guided by and reflects Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality, to which the Government remains fully committed. The statement of foreign policy entitled "A Global Island" approved by the Government in January 2015 clearly states...

Priority Questions: Military Aircraft Landings (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I do not accept that. In considering requests for landings by foreign military aircraft, my Department's focus is on ensuring that the information provided with regard to flights and aircraft demonstrates that they comply with the conditions as applicable. Matters such as the times at which landings take place are operational ones for the pilot or pilots in consultation with the airport in...