Results 6,961-6,980 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

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

Charles Flanagan: The target turnaround time for Passport Express renewal applications is 15 working days. The target is currently being met despite large volumes of applications. It has been in place for over a year and is communicated very clearly in all An Post promotional materials and on my Department’s website as well as in public communications. My Department also keeps An Post apprised of any...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Dealing with long-outstanding issues relating to the legacy of the conflict in Northern Ireland are of the utmost importance to me as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and for the Government. The Programme for a Partnership Government highlights this priority, with specific reference to implementation of the All-Party Dáil motions relating to the Dublin Monaghan bombings. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Commission on the Status of Women (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: There are numerous elections across a range of bodies at the UN on an ongoing basis. Membership of these bodies is an important aspect of Member State engagement at the UN and many view participation in these bodies as part of their responsibilities as UN members. UN bodies have differing rules of procedure governing elections, and it is necessary for Member States to follow these rules....

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

Charles Flanagan: The Government actively seeks to expand and develop trade with Israel, as it does with other trading partners around the world. Trade with other countries is not an optional activity, nor a reward for good behaviour by other governments. It is the means by which the jobs and livelihoods of the Irish people are supported, and the goods and raw materials which we need are obtained. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government is determined to ensure that all aspects of the Agreement are fully respected through the process of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, and thereafter. Our priority is to ensure that the Good Friday Agreement and the overall integrity of the settlement is not in any way disturbed by the UK’s exit from the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Court of Justice Rulings (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland categorises Western Sahara as a non-self-governing Territory. Ireland supports the right to self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, but does not have a view on the outcome of that decision – be it independence, integration, autonomy, or some other solution – so long as it is decided in a genuine exercise of self-determination. Ireland has taken careful...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Terrorism (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Let me first reiterate my absolute horror at the callous attack on the people of Manchester and the United Kingdom last Monday night. On Tuesday I spoke with Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and conveyed the heartfelt sympathy of the people of Ireland for our nearest neighbours. I also visited the British Embassy in Dublin to sign the Book of Condolences there, as did President Higgins and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Immigration Policy (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The migration crisis has been one of the greatest challenges facing the EU for the past two years. Migration has featured on the agenda of almost every European Councils in the same period and will be on the agenda of next month’s European Council too. It has also featured prominently on the Foreign Affairs and Justice and Home Affairs’ Council agendas. The EU has...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Electoral Register (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The position regarding eligibility to vote, as set out by the UK Electoral Commission in the context of the current UK general election, is as follows: a person must be registered to vote; must be 18 years of age or over on polling day; must be a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen; must be resident at an address in the UK; and must not be legally excluded from voting (i.e....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (30 May 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: North-South Ministerial Council (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to continue to advance North South cooperation, particularly through cross-border bodies and the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) and to harness the potential of the Stormont House Agreement to develop new areas of cooperation in areas such as trade, health, tourism, sport and security. In the current absence of a Northern...

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

Charles Flanagan: The Public Services Card (PSC) is designed to assist people in accessing a range of Government services from different departments. It is not confined to passports. As such there are no plans to make holding the Public Services Card a requirement for passport applicants who are not resident in the State. These applications will continue to be subject to the highest standards of...

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

Charles Flanagan: Since January 2017 almost 230 Temporary Clerical Officers have been assigned to the Passport Service and appointed to the Passport Offices in Balbriggan, Mount Street and Cork. Temporary Clerical Officers in the Passport Service are typically hired on twenty-six week contracts. The salary scale for these officers is the Clerical Officer salary scale, which ranges from €438.46 per...

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

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 324 and 332 together. The Public Services Card (PSC) is designed to assist people in accessing a range of Government services from different departments. It is not confined to passports. As such there are no plans to make holding the Public Services Card a requirement for passport applicants who are not resident in the State. Passport applications from...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Government’s firm position is that the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent 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: Visa Agreements (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: While I have not written to or spoken to Australian Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull in relation to the proposed changes to Australia’s 457 visas, officials from my Department, both at headquarters and at Ireland’s Embassy in Canberra, are monitoring this closely and are in regular contact with their Australian counterparts on this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Good Friday Agreement is the indispensable foundation for all Government engagement on Northern Ireland. As a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government’s focus and responsibility is to ensure that all aspects of the Agreement are fully respected in the context of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. Human rights protections form a vital part of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: This consular case continues to be a top priority for the Government and very substantial resources and time are being devoted to it. In light of its exceptional circumstances, this case has seen an exceptional level of high-level political engagement, investment in terms of person-hours, consultation with third parties worldwide, and consular visits and trial monitoring. The Government...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 331 together. Dealing with long-outstanding issues relating to the legacy of the conflict in Northern Ireland are of the utmost importance to me as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and for the Government. The Programme for a Partnership Government highlights this priority, with specific reference to implementation of the All-Party Dáil...