Results 6,921-6,940 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Brexit Issues (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I have spoken directly with the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. James Brokenshire, since the campaign in the UK commenced some weeks ago. I assure the Deputy and the House that the avoidance of a hard Border on the island of Ireland and the maintenance of the common travel area are at the core of the Government’s priorities in the EU-UK negotiations. As a symbol...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Brexit Issues (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Avoiding a hard Border on the island of Ireland, with the protection of the Good Friday Agreement in its entirety, remains an absolute priority for this Government. This is a position that has been well heard and is well understood right across the European Union. I am pleased to say it has been expressly reflected in the negotiating guidelines. As set out in the guidelines, imaginative...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Brexit Issues (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I agree with the Deputy on the need to ensure we can maintain the open Border and the bilateral arrangement of many years standing, the common travel area, in the context of the negotiations. In this regard, let me repeat that Ireland, in conjunction with and as a member of the EU 27, is pleased so far that our EU colleagues have recognised fully the unique circumstances on the island of...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Brexit Issues (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy raises two issues. First, regarding the Northern Ireland Executive, on behalf of the Irish Government, I look forward to being in Stormont on or around Monday, 12 June, in order to ensure there will be an appropriate level of momentum in the talks. There has not been a functioning executive in Northern Ireland this year. I believe it is long overdue and I believe there is a role...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: EU Meetings (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 67 together. I thank the Deputy for her question. I reiterate the points I made in response to the previous question asked by Deputy Smith. My expectation is that these negotiations will commence in June. It is absolutely essential that both parties - the EU, including Ireland, and the UK - address these negotiations in a spirit of compromise but...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: EU Meetings (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: My understanding is that the negotiations will be concluded. At this stage it is too early to speculate on any detail of the negotiations, but I encourage the European Union, including Ireland, to approach these negotiations with a view towards concluding a deal. Our wish and priority is that there will be as close as possible a relationship, ultimately, between the departing UK as a former...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: EU Meetings (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: From an Irish perspective, as I have said we have been particularly clear that we are commencing these negotiations with our EU colleagues from a position of strength on the side of the EU 27. This provides us with the best opportunity to pursue our priorities.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: EU Meetings (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I listened carefully to what the British Prime Minister said and I do not believe there are any circumstances in which walking away from the negotiating table or commencing negotiations in a way that can be seen as wholly negative is, in the circumstances, helpful. Any form of side negotiations between Ireland and the UK or any bilateral arrangements would, given the circumstances, be...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: EU Agreements (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland has taken careful note of the decision of the Court of Justice of 21 December 2016, in which it set aside the decision of the General Court to annul the EU-Morocco agricultural deal. The judgment upheld the validity of the EU association agreement with Morocco, but stipulated that it does not apply to the territory of Western Sahara. Ireland has a long-standing position in support...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: EU Agreements (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland considers Western Sahara to be a non-self-governing territory. Ireland, as I have said, supports the right of self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. We do not have a view on the outcome of the court's decision, be it independence, integration, autonomy or some other legal or constitutional framework, as long as it is decided in what must be a genuine exercise in...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: EU Agreements (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Any possible renegotiation of the association agreement or any modification of its proposals or protocols to provide for the treatment of goods coming from Western Sahara is currently under discussion at the European Union level. The question of the consent of the people of Western Sahara is forming part of these discussions. The manner in which this can be done ultimately remains to be...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Ibrahim Halawa (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: This matter was raised on the Order of Business today. I wish to assure Deputy Ryan that this remains a priority consular case in my Department. We are now running at just under 3,000 consular cases per annum. I can say without a shadow of doubt or fear of contradiction that this is the case that is receiving the most priority in terms of resources and interest. I am very concerned...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Ibrahim Halawa (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: It is regrettable that Deputy Ryan does not acknowledge the fact that there has been an element of momentum in recent times in this case. The trial is proceeding. I regret, however, that it has not yet concluded. I assure the Deputy that the European Union has been a strong ally of Ireland on this matter. I refer to my representations to Federica Mogherini and her role, in particular, as...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Ibrahim Halawa (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: It is my hope that we will be in a position to have EU monitoring. I assure the Deputy in the meantime, however, the Irish Government and our representative in Cairo continue to be actively engaged and to attend at each and every one of the hearings to date. While we await the conclusion of the trial, I assure the House that every effort is being made to secure the health and welfare of our...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Other Questions: Humanitarian Aid Provision (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Government is strongly committed to responding to the unprecedented humanitarian needs in east Africa, in particular in the Horn of Africa. Conflict, drought, severe food insecurity and now famine are causing massive population displacements and suffering throughout the region. As a consequence, the humanitarian situation is continuing to deteriorate and 5 million people are classified...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The resolution of the Middle East conflict, and the ending of the occupation of Palestinian territory by Israel, is an important foreign policy priority for Ireland and for the Government, and has been a principal focus of my own work at the EU Foreign Affairs Council and in the UN and other international fora. I have continued to argue to maintain an EU and a broader international focus...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The target turnaround period for Passport Express renewal applications is fifteen working days. The Passport Express service operates in partnership with An Post and this revised target has been in place for over a year. It is a target rather than a stated guarantee of service delivery. The fifteen working day target is communicated very clearly on the website and in all promotional...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Controls (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Since 29 March last year my Department has required all first-time passport applicants aged eighteen and above who are resident in Ireland to hold a valid Public Services Card. This requirement also applies to the small number of adult passport applicants whose last passport was issued before 1 January 2005 and has since been reported as lost, stolen or damaged. This measure has been an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Staff (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Additional capabilities and resources have been assigned across my Department to address issues arising from the complex process of the UK exit from the EU. In general terms, all of our diplomatic Missions across the EU are working extensively on the UK exit issue as are a number of embassies further afield. At Headquarters the key Divisions of European Union Division and the Ireland, UK...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take questions 63 and 66 together. The Government’s objectives regarding our undocumented citizens in the United States remain unchanged, namely: to achieve relief for the undocumented and facilitate greater pathways for legal migration to the United States. In pursuit of these objectives the Government and Ireland’s diplomatic representatives in the US...