Results 14,101-14,120 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

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: 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: 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...

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...

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: 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...