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

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine: Discussion (22 Mar 2022)

Charles Flanagan: That was a harrowing presentation and we thank Mr. O'Sullivan for giving it. Matters are, undoubtedly, deteriorating on an ongoing basis and it is fair to say they will become much worse. There have been reports of up to 10 million people already having been displaced.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine: Discussion (22 Mar 2022)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Mr. O'Dwyer. Would Senator Ardagh like to come in?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine: Discussion (22 Mar 2022)

Charles Flanagan: I would like to address a couple of issues to Mr. O'Sullivan and Mr. Morris. In terms of this discussion, we have meandered somewhat from within the Ukraine to the neighbourhood, to Ireland and back. On the situation in Ukraine, the humanitarian situation is dire and there is need for safe and protected humanitarian corridors. That works both ways. It allows people to leave areas that are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine: Discussion (22 Mar 2022)

Charles Flanagan: I do not see any other members who are with us online indicating that they have questions. Before bringing matters to a conclusion, I propose to invite the witnesses to offer a final word on their priority message to us, as parliamentarians and politicians. Tomorrow, the committee will have an opportunity, kindly arranged by our ambassador to Poland, to engage directly with our colleagues...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine: Discussion (22 Mar 2022)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Ms McKenna and colleagues. The witnesses have put their opening statements in writing, which makes for grim reading. Committee members will have an opportunity to share that and to share our experience of the past couple of hours with Members of both Houses over the next day or so. It would seem to me there are three alternatives for what might happen next: a protracted war, a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on the Crisis in Ukraine: Engagement with Minister for Foreign Affairs (10 Mar 2022)

Charles Flanagan: The Minister for Foreign Affairs is welcome before the committee to discuss the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. I remind members of the parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person. As we have less than an hour for this meeting, I will call on the Minister to make his opening remarks straight away. We will then move to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on the Crisis in Ukraine: Engagement with Minister for Foreign Affairs (10 Mar 2022)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Minister for all his work, which is acknowledged and appreciated by our committee. We have six members and one Minister present. We have 30 minutes, therefore, no speeches. I am keen to get a second round of questions. Members can do the maths here. There are many topics and questions for the Minister, therefore, I ask members to ask direct questions. I know the Minister...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on the Crisis in Ukraine: Engagement with Minister for Foreign Affairs (10 Mar 2022)

Charles Flanagan: I am sure the Minister is taking note of the questions. Given the severe time constraints, I will take questions from a few more members before going back to him, hoping that is not inconvenient to anyone.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on the Crisis in Ukraine: Engagement with Minister for Foreign Affairs (10 Mar 2022)

Charles Flanagan: The Senator is talking about internal matters, which I am sure the Minister will address briefly. It is more of a domestic issue for Ireland rather than one for the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on the Crisis in Ukraine: Engagement with Minister for Foreign Affairs (10 Mar 2022)

Charles Flanagan: I note that we are joined on the line by Senators Wilson and Ardagh. I ask that they raise their hands if they want to put a question to the Minister. The next speaker is Senator O'Reilly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on the Crisis in Ukraine: Engagement with Minister for Foreign Affairs (10 Mar 2022)

Charles Flanagan: Returning to the Minister, I am sorry if so many different questions are included in this first round but that is the nature of things. Having regard to the time available to us I know the Minister will deal with them insofar as he can. I acknowledge what he said about coming back to the committee at a time that is convenient to himself. For my own part I merely want to support strongly...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on the Crisis in Ukraine: Engagement with Minister for Foreign Affairs (10 Mar 2022)

Charles Flanagan: I hesitate to intervene to inform the Minister we are into the final five minutes of the meeting.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on the Crisis in Ukraine: Engagement with Minister for Foreign Affairs (10 Mar 2022)

Charles Flanagan: I apologise for interrupting but I must now blow the whistle because there are other important engagements.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on the Crisis in Ukraine: Engagement with Minister for Foreign Affairs (10 Mar 2022)

Charles Flanagan: It would be most helpful if a short email could be addressed to any members who had specific questions. We expect the Minister to come back before the committee at an early opportunity as matters evolve and develop in this crisis.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on the Crisis in Ukraine: Engagement with Minister for Foreign Affairs (10 Mar 2022)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Minister. Deputy Brady wishes to make one very brief intervention.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on the Crisis in Ukraine: Engagement with Minister for Foreign Affairs (10 Mar 2022)

Charles Flanagan: We have mentioned this before. I expect it will be a matter for the Department of the Taoiseach but we will ask the Minister to convey that message in any event. The joint committee will now adjourn. After the break, the Minister will join us for a meeting of the select committee, unaccompanied by his officials. On both my behalf and that of committee members, I thank Ms Orla McBreen,...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Revised) (10 Mar 2022)

Charles Flanagan: I understand the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, will not be with us until approximately 3.30 p.m., but that should not inhibit in any way our consideration of the Estimate. The Dáil ordered that the Revised Estimates for public services in respect of Vote 27 - international co-operation and Vote 28 - foreign affairs be referred to this committee for consideration. I welcome the...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Revised) (10 Mar 2022)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Minister. I ask members to put their questions on Vote 28 by programme, commencing with programme A.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Revised) (10 Mar 2022)

Charles Flanagan: Before the Minister responds, I will ask a question under subhead A6. I declare an interest insofar as I am a director of Co-operation Ireland, which is a body known to the Department. In the course of the year, we had an opportunity to raise with the Minister an important issue that was raised in the first instance by my colleague, Deputy Stanton. It relates to the future of the American...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Revised) (10 Mar 2022)

Charles Flanagan: Sorry.