Results 14,381-14,400 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the report referred to by the Deputy. Human rights and humanitarian values are at the core of the approach of the EU and Member States to addressing the migration crisis and the EU is committed to enhancing human rights safeguards in all negotiations on migration and mobility with third countries. Some of our EU partners have had to face disproportionate pressures during...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I launched the Online Passport Application Service on 30 March. The service is safe, fast and convenient and it allows adult Irish citizens to renew their passports from anywhere in the world on their personal computers, tablets or mobile phones. They can do so twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. The target turnaround time for online applications is ten working days plus postage....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The large majority of passport applications are currently submitted through the Post Office networks on this island. This includes more than seventy Post Offices in Northern Ireland and more than one thousand Post Offices in this state. With the availability of both the online passport renewal service for adults and the An Post Passport Express service, very few applicants in Ireland are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Policy (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The ‘Global Irish Summer Camp’ Progamme was trialled in 2016 and allowed for 20 Irish-American students, who would ordinarily have never got the chance to visit Ireland, to travel here for a short immersive programme that incorporated educational and heritage elements. The cost of the Programme in 2016 was €100,000. I am aware of suggestions that this programme has been...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Strategy (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: My Department, working with state agencies, is working to support Irish businesses diversify into new markets, products and services, as well as intensifying our efforts in existing markets. The Government’s new trade and investment strategy, Ireland Connected: Trading and Investing in a Dynamic World, sets out our priorities and the actions to achieve these. Local Market Teams,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The number and scale of current humanitarian crises is shocking and presents an enormous challenge for the international community. In this respect the United Nations has recently been loudly sounding the alarm call. Its warning last month of its need for assistance in reducing the risk of starvation and famine in South Sudan, Yemen, Somalia and northeast Nigeria was a stark reminder of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: One factor behind the rise of extreme right wing movements in Europe in recent times 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, simplistic solution. The Rome Declaration agreed by EU leaders last month...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Western Balkans continues to be a priority for the European Union. At the most recent European Council on 9 March, the Heads of State and Government, including the Taoiseach, reaffirmed their unequivocal support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans. The region was also discussed at the most recent Foreign Affairs Council (6 March) which I attended, and the most recent...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Notwithstanding other concurrent crises in the Middle East region, the resolution of the Israeli and Palestinian conflict remains a priority for the Government and for the European Union, and one to which I have devoted a lot of time at EU level and in visits to the region. Already the issue has been discussed at three of the four meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council held so far this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Terrorism (12 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The issue of how best to respond to the threat posed by terrorism, evident once again in the recent attacks in London, Stockholm 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 that the EU can make through external action to preventing...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Anti-Terrorism Measures (11 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I cannot comment on any reports concerning national security matters or responses that might be taken in the event of an attack on Ireland or a serious and immediate security threat to Ireland and the Irish people. However, I can confirm that no agreement has been entered into by the State to grant permission to the RAF to shoot down hijacked planes over Ireland.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Anti-Terrorism Measures (11 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I cannot comment on any reports concerning national security matters or responses that might be taken in the event of an attack on Ireland or a serious and immediate security threat to Ireland and the Irish people. However, I can confirm that no agreement has been entered into by the State to grant permission to the RAF to shoot down hijacked planes over Ireland.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad (11 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: This consular case continues to be a top priority for the Government and substantial resources and time are being devoted to it, by the Taoiseach and the Government and by my Department. Reports about this man’s health are a matter of the utmost concern to the Government. In light if these concerns the Government took the unprecedented step last month of making arrangements for an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (11 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I attended the most recent EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg on Monday 3 April where Syria, Yemen and Libya were on the agenda. My EU counterparts and I also met with the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Abou El Gheit. The conflict in Syria is causing untold suffering and displacement of civilians on the ground. At the Council meeting, I and my EU...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (11 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The situation in Syria continues to be a matter of grave concern. 13.5 million Syrians are now in need of humanitarian assistance inside Syria including 6.3 million internally displaced people, 1.5 million are living under siege conditions which gives rise to serious protection concerns, and a further 5 million Syrian refugees have fled to neighbouring countries and the wider region. I was...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (11 Apr 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 (11 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Passport Service aims to process passport renewal applications submitted through Passport Express within 15 working days of receipt, assuming that all documentation is in order. Applicants are advised that this is a target rather than a guarantee of service and that turnaround times will vary depending on factors such as seasonal demand. As the Deputy will be aware, there has been a surge...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Properties (11 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: My Department does not own or control any vacant building. Any properties occupied by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in the State are rented and discharged by the Office of Public Works.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (11 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Successive US Administrations have provided immensely valuable support to the peace process over the last three decades and the Government hopes that the new US Administration will also remain actively engaged with Northern Ireland. The work of successive US Envoys – from Senator George Mitchell to, most recently, Senator Gary Hart – has been very helpful in sustaining momentum...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Acht na Gaeilge (11 Apr 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Tá roinnt eilimintí de Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta agus Chomhaontú Chill Rímhinn nach bhfuil curtha i bhfeidhm go hiomlán go fóill, iad siúd a bhaineann le hAcht Teanga ina measc. Is é seasamh daingean an Rialtais ná go gcaithfidh Comhaontú Aoine an Chéasta agus na Comhaontuithe comharba a bheith curtha i bhfeidhm ina...