Results 6,981-7,000 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

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

Charles Flanagan: The North-South Ministerial Council (NSMC) has played a key role in developing consultation, cooperation, and action on the island of Ireland on matters of mutual interest and within the competence of the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. My Department works closely with the Department of the Taoiseach in regard to NSMC matters and the Taoiseach co-chairs the NSMC Plenary...

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

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the situation of the Guarani-Kaiowá people in Mato Grosso Do Sul and the challenges faced by indigenous populations in other parts of Latin America. I condemn unreservedly any intimidation, violence, or discrimination perpetrated against indigenous people and those seeking to defend their rights, whether in Brazil or elsewhere. As the Deputy will be aware, the UN...

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

Charles Flanagan: Purchase of equipment for the Permanent Defence Forces is a matter for the Minister for Defence. I am not aware of any sales of armaments by Ireland to Israel. In relation to general trade with Israel, I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 94 today on this topic.

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. The Government has been doing everything possible to secure this citizen’s release. We have supported petitions for him to be returned to Ireland under Egyptian Law 140; we have appealed for him to be released under the Egyptian President’s...

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

Charles Flanagan: Since the attempted coup in Turkey in July 2016, the EU and its Member States, including Ireland, have continued to monitor developments, and have repeated our serious concerns about democracy, human rights, rule of law and freedom of expression, including media freedom. The ongoing negative developments in Turkey, particularly in light of the referendum passed by a narrow majority on 16...

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

Charles Flanagan: The policy positions which Ireland takes at the UN are a matter of public record as voting on resolutions takes place in public. However, voting on membership of UN bodies involves expressing preferences between Member States or between individual candidates nominated by Member States. This can have implications which go beyond a particular election and the policy issues addressed by these...

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

Charles Flanagan: Further to parliamentary question number 267 of 28 March 2017, I have not raised the issue in question at the UN level or bilaterally with China. Nonetheless, I remain concerned about reports of cases of DPRK refugees and asylum seekers being arrested in China and facing refoulement to the DPRK. I would urge the Chinese authorities to ensure that they do their upmost to meet their...

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

Charles Flanagan: I refer the Deputy also to my reply today to Question 94 on trade with Israel. In relation to illegal Israeli settlements, I agree that these are deeply damaging to the prospects of a peace agreement, and are tending – intentionally – to make a two state solution impossible. I have consistently argued for stronger international action on settlements, and Ireland has been...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Refugee Resettlement Programme (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware that the Elliniko migrant facility based in the former Athens international airport is being closed. The site was unsuitable as a longer-term facility and the Greek government decided to move the residents to other locations in the Attica region. The closure is part of the Greek government's plan to close substandard camps and to upgrade better functioning facilities. This is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Refugee Resettlement Programme (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland chose to voluntarily Opt In to EU arrangements to relocate migrants from Greece and Italy and accept up to 4,000 refugees and asylum seekers both on humanitarian grounds and as a gesture of solidarity with our partners in the EU. For administrative and other reasons, progress in receiving migrants has been slower than anticipated, as it has in many other EU member states. However, in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Refugee Resettlement Programme (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I was horrified by news of the chemical attack against civilians at Khan Sheikhoun in April. At that time, I unreservedly condemned the attack, which killed over 80 people and injured many more, including children and babies. The attack further underlines the need for accountability and a genuine political transition in Syria. The search for a sustainable peaceful resolution to the...

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

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 344 and 350 together. My Department, in collaboration with other Government Departments and State Agencies, works to support Irish businesses identify new opportunities for their products and services by diversifying into new markets as well as intensifying efforts in existing markets. The Government’s new trade and investment strategy, Ireland...

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

Charles Flanagan: On 1 March the European Commission published a White Paper on the Future of Europe. As well as setting out the main achievements of the EU over the past six decades, the White Paper addresses the challenges that Europe is facing and presents five scenarios for how the Union could evolve by 2025, depending on how it chooses to respond. The White Paper is presented as the start of the process,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Refugee Resettlement Programme (30 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 346, 348 and 353 together. Migration has been close to the top of the EU agenda since the current crisis emerged a little over two years ago. It has featured on the agenda of almost every European Council over the period, as well on the agenda of many Foreign Affairs and JHA Councils. The migration crisis will again be discussed by EU Heads of State and...

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

Charles Flanagan: The Government has been clear since the outset that its key priorities for the Brexit negotiations included minimising the impact on trade and the economy and protecting the Peace Process and the Good Friday Agreement. Economic prosperity is an integral part of deepening peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland. The achievements of peace and the operation of the institutions of the...

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

Charles Flanagan: The stability of the countries of the Western Balkans continues to be a priority for the European Union. At the European Council on 9 March the Heads of State and Government, including the Taoiseach, reaffirmed their unequivocal support for the European perspective of the region. Promoting good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation is a key focus of EU efforts in the Western...

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

Charles Flanagan: The issue of how best to respond to the threat posed by terrorism, evident once again in the horrific attack in Manchester last week, but also in the recent attacks in London, Stockholm, Paris and Egypt, has been and remains high on the EU agenda. Foreign Ministers remain focused on implementation of the Council Conclusions on Counter-terrorism agreed in February 2015 and on the contribution...

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

Charles Flanagan: Over the course of the past eleven months since the referendum in the UK, I – along with my Government colleagues – have been engaged in an extensive programme of engagement with our EU partners on Brexit. There have been over 400 such engagements with the 27 EU Member States and the EU Institutions, which has included most recently the visit of the EU’s chief...

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

Charles Flanagan: The growth in support for populist parties holding eurospectic views has been a feature of the European political scene in recent years. One factor behind this is disillusionment among Europe’s citizens that their everyday concerns are not being addressed by their political leaders. In response, they have been listening more closely to those offering easy answers and all too often,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Agreements (31 May 2017)

Charles Flanagan: While I have not had discussions with my Australian counterpart or Australian officials regarding the changes to Australia’s 457 visa changes, 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. Officials at the Embassy met recently...