Results 14,461-14,480 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (28 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Applicants with no immediate travel plans or who are travelling in three weeks or more should submit their application through the An Post Passport Express Service. Passport Express is the cheapest and most convenient option for applicants and is available at post offices nationwide. The target turnaround time for standard, accurately completed passport applications submitted via Passport...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Data (28 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Passport Service has issued a total of over 42,000 passport cards since the launch in October 2015 (see the table). The convenience of the card in facilitating travel to 31 countries in Europe, along with its portability and innovative security features, have clearly resonated with the public and I am very pleased with its success to date. I will launch a new online service for adult...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Insurance Costs (28 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: In replying to this PQ, as agreed with Deputy McGrath, my Department has focused solely on our building portfolio in Ireland. As the Department is covered in terms of its buildings under State indemnity, the issue of insurance does not arise. The Department is currently processing two claims under the State Claims Agency in relation to its buildings. It is not possible to estimate the cost...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The expenditure allocated to the Passport Service from 2012 to 2017 to date is outlined in the table. These figures include salary costs for all years except 2017 and they exclude accommodation costs. Year Expenditure 2012 €24,914,421 2013 €24,879,963 2014 €22,612,818 2015 €27,347,875 2016 €31,637,414 2017 (to-date) €3,323,833 The figures...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Expenditure (28 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Department is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation). The work of our embassy and consulate network around the world continues to be important in Ireland’s economic recovery and the restoration of our international reputation. Our Embassies’ work in support of Ireland’s interests includes: -...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Missions (28 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Ministerial-led trade missions are a central element of the Government’s support for Ireland’s exports, inward investment, tourism, and international education. An intensive programme of trade missions is a key part of our overall strategy of pursuing market diversification and building resilience into our economy in response to changes in the global trade and investment...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy may be aware, the Passport Service launched a new online tracking system at the end of last year. The tracker provides tailored information on progress with applications and the estimated issue date to applicants. In recent weeks, there have been some technical difficulties with the tracker resulting in delays in status updates for a small number of applications. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (28 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: All applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008 (the Act), which provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to him/her. In order to meet this legal requirement, each person must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship in his/her application. The applicant referred to was born on 11/2/2015. His...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Naval Vessels (28 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: In response to a request from the US Embassy, my Department granted permission for a visit by the US naval vessel, USS Donald Cook, to visit the port of Cobh from 21-25 March 2017. The purpose of the visit to Ireland was crew rest and relaxation. As is the case, for all requests for ships to pay routine calls to Irish ports, my Department seeks the views of other agencies including An...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad (23 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: This long-running and complex consular case continues to be a top priority for the Government and exceptional levels of resources are being devoted to the provision of consular support to the citizen and his family. The Government is doing everything it possibly can in our ongoing engagement with the Egyptian authorities to seek to have this young man returned to his home and his family at...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (23 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: My Department made payments to broadcasters here in the years 2014, 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017 as detailed in the table. Payments made to broadcasters here in the years 2014, 2015 and 2016 and to date in 2017. Division/Unit Year Payee Amount Reason for Payment Irish Abroad Unit 2014 RTÉ €50,000 This amount was paid to RTE in connection with broadcasting of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (22 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland welcomes the democratic transition which is currently underway in Myanmar/Burma following elections in November 2015. We recognise the positive steps that the new Government of Myanmar/Burma has taken in pursuit of peace and reconciliation, democratic reforms and economic growth. As noted in my reply to parliamentary question number 137 of 14 December 2016, I am however deeply...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (22 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 172 together. The Good Friday Agreement provided for the establishment of a civic forum to act as a consultative mechanism on social, economic and cultural issues in Northern Ireland. A civic forum was set up in 2000 and met on a number of occasions but was suspended following the collapse of the political institutions in October 2002. Following...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (22 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 173 together. The Government’s firm position is that the Good Friday Agreement and the successor 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,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (22 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: My Department’s consular officials, at headquarters in Dublin and in our mission network worldwide, provide advice and practical support to Irish people who find themselves in difficult or distressing circumstances abroad. However, the Department has no role in relation to immigration or visa decision-making abroad, and so neither I nor my officials are in a position to intervene...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (22 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: There is currently a very high volume of passport applications in the system - over 60,000. Between 1 January and 16 March a total of 191,428 applications were received compared to a total of 155,163 for the same period last year. This represents an increase of over 23% in volume. The Passport Service is working extremely hard to manage the ongoing surge in passport applications. A total...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (22 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 178 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (22 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: The Good Friday Agreement recognised the importance of respect, understanding, and tolerance in relation to linguistic diversity, including in Northern Ireland, the Irish language, Ulster-Scots and the languages of the various ethnic communities. The Irish Government ratified the Council of Europe Framework Convention on National Minorities in 1999 further to the commitment to do so under...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: US Executive Order (21 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: I delivered a comprehensive statement on the matters referred to in this question to the House on 15 February, 2017. A copy of my statement to the House on that date is set out below for reference.Statement on behalf of the Government: US Executive Order (27 January, 2017) by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Ceann Comhairle, Executive Order of 27 January 2017 I wish to address the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Issues (21 Mar 2017)

Charles Flanagan: “Global Irish,” Ireland’s Diaspora policy, encompasses all Irish communities overseas. As this policy was launched two years ago the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is currently reviewing the implementation of the policy, and how we can better and more effectively implement the policy to the benefit of all our citizens and diaspora around the world. The stated...