Results 15,101-15,120 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Until the shape of the UK's exit from the EU is known, the potential impact on EU foreign and security policy is difficult to predict. Given this uncertainty, and the ongoing instability in the EU neighbourhood, it is important, now more than ever, for the EU to present a shared vision of its future. The newly published EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy aims to do just that....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland does not have a presence on the ground in Syria or Yemen and we do not directly monitor the supply of military equipment by other states to the Middle East or elsewhere. I am therefore not in a position to make a statement on these matters. However, I am extremely concerned by the reports of widespread civilian casualties in both Syria and Yemen and the reports of possible war...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I have been following the situation in Yemen since the hostilities began in early 2015. In this House, I welcomed the news of a ceasefire last April, and I was very disappointed to learn of its breakdown in August. However, there have been some signs of hope over the last few days, with parties agreeing to temporarily lay down arms as they consider returning to the negotiating table. I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland does not make trade deals bilaterally. The European Union is responsible for managing trade and investment relations with non-EU countries, and concludes trade agreements on behalf of EU Member States. The EU has not concluded any trade deals with Egypt in the past five years. However, the EU-Egypt Association Agreement of 2004 establishes a free-trade area which eliminates...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Disaster Response (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland has responded quickly and effectively to the devastation and suffering caused by Hurricane Matthew in Haiti. Through Irish Aid, my Department organised an airlift of humanitarian supplies from Ireland's prepositioned stocks in Panama, to provide relief to 1,000 families in one of the worst affected areas. I have approved a total of €1.7 million in funding for experienced...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Security Co-operation (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I cannot comment on any reports concerning arrangements for national security or responses that might be taken in the event of a terrorist attack. I can confirm however that the Government's engagement in international security cooperation is aimed at ensuring public safety and is conducted with full respect for Irish sovereign decision-making authority and for Ireland's long standing policy...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The restrictions on Gaza, and the continuing need for reconstruction there, remain an important priority. The broad trend has been for a slight relaxation of the restrictions on Gaza since the 2014 conflict, with an increase in deliveries into Gaza of about 53% in the first eight months of this year, over the 2015 level, as measured in truckloads. There was a similar increase in the very...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Throughout all our discussions with our UK and EU counterparts, the Irish Government has been clear that we are committed to maintaining the open and effectively invisible border and protecting the Common Travel Area (CTA). The CTA is an important feature of the close relationship between Ireland and the UK with long-established benefits for trade and tourism between our two countries. It...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Aid (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Through the Irish Aid programme, my Department works with a range of partners to deliver on our longstanding commitment to improve access to quality health and HIV services for poor and marginalised communities. Partners are selected on the basis of their contribution to the Department's priority outcomes, the quality of results achieved and their capacity to use funds effectively. Since...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: At last week's European Council meeting, EU leaders held a long debate on relations between the European Union and the Russian Federation. The intended focus of the discussion was on the broad set of issues that define the relationship. However, given the timing of the discussion, it was inevitable that Russia's actions in Syria and Ukraine dominated the exchanges. On Ukraine,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Since 2012, Ireland has provided €62 million in humanitarian assistance as a result of the appalling conflict in Syria, including €20 million so far in 2016. At present, it is Ireland's largest response to any humanitarian crisis. Irish Aid funding, managed by my Department, seeks to meet the needs of those inside Syria, particularly in besieged and hard-to-reach areas, and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: At last week's European Council, EU leaders strongly condemned the ongoing aerial attacks on Aleppo by the Syrian regime and Russia and urged both states to bring an immediate end to the atrocities being committed. They repeated calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and stressed that all necessary steps be taken to ensure humanitarian access to Syria. The need to ensure that those...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: It is the norm internationally to issue passports of a ten year standard period of validity to all adults. A reduced term of validity for children's passports is necessary as their appearance can change significantly within a short period of years, which can lead to uncertainty as to the identity of the holder. However this is not generally the case for adults of any age. For these...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I attended the most recent Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) meeting in Brussels on the 17th of October where Syria, the EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy, Tunisia and migration were discussed. The ongoing conflict in Syria is causing untold human suffering and displacement. At the Foreign Affairs Council meeting, Ireland and the EU strongly condemned the excessive and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Achieving relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the US and agreement on a facility for future legal migration between Ireland and the US remain key objectives for the Government. The issue is regularly addressed in high level political contacts between Ireland and the US Government and our Embassy in Washington and Consulates elsewhere in the US are very active in advocating for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Along with the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald T.D. and the Minister of State for European Affairs Dara Murphy T.D., I met the UK Secretary of State for Exiting the EU, David Davis MP, and the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Exiting the EU, Robin Walker MP, at Iveagh House on 8 September. We discussed the challenges posed by the UK...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I share the Deputy's deep concern about and condemnation of the humanitarian crisis in Syria. The conflict in Syria is the greatest humanitarian crisis of our generation. Since 2012, Ireland has provided a total of €62 million in humanitarian assistance to Syria and the region. At present, it is Ireland's largest response to any humanitarian crisis. At last week's European...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I met with my Egyptian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri, in June during my visit to Cairo and again in September during my visit to the United Nations. In the course of my meetings, I raised the case of Mr Ibrahim Halawa, Ireland's concerns about human rights and civil society in Egypt, bilateral relations between Ireland and Egypt and EU-Egyptian relations. I have no plans...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emergency Planning (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I cannot comment on matters relating to national security or responses that might be taken in the event of a terrorist attack. I can however confirm that the Government's engagement in international security co-operation is aimed at ensuring public safety and is conducted with full respect for Irish sovereign decision-making authority and for Ireland's long standing policy of military neutrality.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Demolitions by Israel of Palestinian structures, including houses and infrastructure such as water and power structures and animal housing, are an ongoing issue and matter of serious concern. This practice is growing in intensity at a time when international opinion has repeatedly called for an end to provocative actions on the ground. Demolition of structures which have been funded by...