Results 14,881-14,900 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Appointments to State Boards (16 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: There are no State boards under the aegis of my Department so the issue raised by the Deputy does not arise.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (16 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Since the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, the Government has been very clear that Ireland’s own position is unchanged: we remain a committed member of the EU and of the Eurozone. EU membership has been central to Ireland’s economic and social progress of recent years. Now, more than ever, our membership of the EU must remain at the heart of our engagement...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (16 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Department is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation). Monthly profiles of projected expenditure are established at the beginning of each year and expenditure against profile is monitored and reported on monthly to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and is published as part of the Monthly Exchequer...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (16 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 264 to 266, inclusive, together. My Department takes a range of factors into account when considering the expansion of the Embassy and Consular network overseas. These factors include our national political, economic and trade priorities, as well as the availability of resources. The configuration and scale of the State’s diplomatic and consular...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (16 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The UK House of Lords EU Committee’s report on “Brexit: UK-Irish relations” is a welcome contribution to the debate. It highlights the significance of the issues the UK’s exit raises and the need for these to be addressed comprehensively and creatively. The report forms part of a body of parliamentary work being carried out both in Westminster and here in the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (16 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Full and timely implementation of the Fresh Start Agreement is a key priority for the Government and this is reflected by its inclusion in the new Programme for Government. The Government continues to work closely with all relevant stakeholders in this regard. Progress on implementing the provisions of both the Fresh Start and Stormont House Agreements are considered at periodic review...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (16 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: On 6 December, the First and deputy First Minister announced the formation of a civic advisory panel, which was provided for under the Stormont House and Fresh Start Agreements. The 6-person panel will consider specific issues relevant to the Executive’s Programme for Government and engage with civic society stakeholders. Reporting to the Executive, the panel may also propose...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (16 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The vast majority of passport applications from both sides of the border are made through the post office networks on this island. This remains the most efficient and cost-effective way to apply and applications can be submitted at some seventy post offices in Northern Ireland and at over one thousand post offices in the state. To accommodate a relatively small number of people with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (14 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I have repeatedly made clear my concern at the failure of the UN Security Council to uphold international law in Syria. Ireland has co-sponsored a number of proposed resolutions which were all vetoed by Russia and sometimes by China. The disunity of the Council has undermined the rights of the Syrian people to the protections under international law, giving the Assad regime impunity for its...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (14 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: As I noted in Parliamentary Question 313 on June 21 2016, the Government welcomes the democratic transition which is currently underway in Myanmar/Burma following elections in November 2015, and the positive steps that the new Government of Myanmar/Burma has taken in pursuit of peace and reconciliation, democratic reforms and economic growth. However we are deeply concerned about the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Missions (13 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine performs vital work in extremely difficult circumstances, particularly in Eastern Ukraine. As I outlined in response to a Parliamentary Question No. 343 on 25 October 2016, there is currently no funding for supplementary payments by the Government to Irish monitors. However, my Department continues to keep the issue under review.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (13 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My Department only avails of the services of external photographic agencies where it is warranted, in particular for major events and State occasions. This is a service which my Department provides so that the media can easily and freely avail of photography where their own staff photographers cannot be fully accommodated. Events such as the visit of Prince Charles and the Duchess of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consultancy Contracts Data (13 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: This Department is responsible for two votes- Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation). My Department commissions external expertise where highly specialised skills are not available within the Department and, in particular, where ongoing independent evaluation of programmes and projects is required. During the course of their engagements, these...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Relations Contracts Data (13 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: A table containing the information is set out below. My Department has not incurred expenditure on external public relations services since March 2011. The expenditure in question has rather arisen in the context of specific initiatives under Ireland’s overseas development programme for which we have from time to time commissioned companies with a public relations and communications...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Correspondence (13 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I have not used any private unsecured email accounts for official business.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (13 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the reports of violence and the deaths of human rights defenders in Colombia to which the Deputy refers. These developments are of great concern and are being closely monitored by my Department and by the Embassy of Ireland in Mexico, which is accredited to Colombia. I condemn unreservedly any intimidation or violence perpetrated against human rights defenders in Colombia and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (13 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Achieving relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the US and agreement on a facility for future pathways for migration between Ireland and the US have been key objectives for the Government. Notwithstanding the changing political context in the United States, the Government’s commitment to these objectives remains constant. The Taoiseach availed of his recent separate telephone...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Legal Cases (13 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My Department has not been involved in any court proceedings in the past five years that involved non-disclosure agreements.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Common Security and Defence Policy (13 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: In recent months I have had discussions with my German and French counterparts in the framework of EU Foreign Affairs Councils and in direct bilateral meetings. The bilateral meetings have primarily focused on Brexit and its implications. On 8 July I met the Foreign Minister of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, in Berlin, and on 1 December I met the Foreign Minister of France, Jean-Marc...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (13 Dec 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 362 to 364, inclusive, together. I have been monitoring the situation in Yemen with growing concern. Last spring, when a ceasefire was announced after over a year of fighting, it seemed like the conflict might come to an end. However, efforts to broker peace were unsuccessful and, since August, the situation has continued to deteriorate. UN Special...