Results 15,121-15,140 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

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

Charles Flanagan: There are two Ministers of State at my Department, Joe McHugh T.D. and Dara Murphy, T.D. Minister McHugh has special responsibility for the Diaspora and International Development. Minister Murphy has special responsibility for European Affairs and Data Protection at my Department and at the Departments of An Taoiseach and Justice and Equality. The Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment)...

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

Charles Flanagan: The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, which was established by decision of the Permanent Council of the OSCE on 21 March 2014, is composed of international staff from OSCE participating States and unarmed, civilian monitors, supported in their work by local staff from Ukraine. As of 12 October 2016, there were 693 international monitors in Ukraine, of whom 10 are Irish. ...

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

Charles Flanagan: While I do not have lead responsibility for the Loughs Agency or aquaculture I am very conscious of the current difficulties arising from unlicensed activity in Lough Foyle. Following discussions in 2011 between the then Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the British Foreign Secretary, the British and Irish Governments agreed to seek to address and resolve jurisdictional issues...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The consular case of this citizen continues to be a top priority. The Government is using every possible opportunity to stress to the Egyptian authorities our concerns about this case. At the last hearing (29 June), the trial was adjourned following an application by defendants for an expert review of the audio-visual evidence in this case. The next hearing is now scheduled to take...

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

Charles Flanagan: 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. Of the €20 million in funding provided by Ireland so far in 2016, €14 million has been delivered through the...

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

Charles Flanagan: On 12 January 2010, Haiti was struck by one of the most devastating earthquakes in recent history, causing some 230,000 deaths and 300,000 injuries. The earthquake destroyed much of Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas, left about 1.5 million people homeless and caused losses estimated at €5.9 billion. Two months after the earthquake, the international community pledged US...

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

Charles Flanagan: The issue of how best to respond to the threat posed by terrorism, and particularly by Daesh, has been and remains high on the EU agenda. Foreign Ministers have consistently underlined that ultimately there will be no defeat of Daesh without a political solution to the crisis in Syria. This is reflected particularly in the comprehensive conclusions on a 'Regional Strategy for Syria and...

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

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 349 and 354 together. The issue of euro-scepticism is complex and multi-faceted. Obviously it arises particularly in the wake of the outcome of the UK referendum in June. Of course, I am well aware that, in individual Member States, there are those who would wish to leave the Union. However, this is not the position of any other Government or Parliament....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Refugee Resettlement Programme (25 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The migration crisis remains a top priority for the European Union. In the past two weeks alone, migration has been discussed at the European Council, the Foreign Affairs Council and the Justice and Home Affairs Council. The European Union has responded to the crisis by adopting a range of measures including engaging with countries of origin and transit through high level dialogues to...

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

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 351 and 358 together. Advancing Ireland's trade, tourism, education and investment objectives through economic diplomacy and related activities is a key goal Ireland's foreign policy, informing and directing the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and our mission network. The mission network comprises eighty embassies, consulates and...

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

Charles Flanagan: My Department, working through our diplomatic missions abroad, takes its trade promotion role very seriously. Our Embassies and Consulates take every opportunity to promote Irish business abroad, conscious that trade is a key driver of the Irish economy. Ireland's merchandise trade continues to grow. Last year it reached more than €182 billion, the highest figure ever. The...

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

Charles Flanagan: As part of an intensive programme of political engagement across the EU as a whole, including contacts with all 28 member state foreign ministers and with the EU institutions, I have been engaging with a number of ministers from the UK government. I met with Secretary of State for Exiting the EU, David Davis MP, last month in Dublin and I was joined in this meeting by the Tánaiste...

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

Charles Flanagan: The European Union maintains a strong focus on South Sudan where ongoing violence and human rights abuses compound an extremely serious humanitarian situation in one of the most fragile countries in the world. Despite the formation of a Transitional Government of National Unity in April 2016, acts of violence and human rights abuses continued in South Sudan. In July, a serious outbreak...

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

Charles Flanagan: Ireland has consistently condemned the violence perpetrated by Boko Haram, which has resulted in the deaths of thousands of people and the displacement of over 2 million. The activities of the group continue to pose a serious risk to the peace and security of Nigeria and the wider region, including Cameroon, Chad and Niger. In a UN report released in June of this year, UN human rights...

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

Charles Flanagan: There are currently five countries which have Candidate Status, including four in the Western Balkans – Montenegro, Serbia, the Republic of Macedonia, and Albania. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are potential candidate countries. Ireland has long been a supporter of Enlargement. The European Commission continues to work actively to support prospective member states in...

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

Charles Flanagan: I am keenly aware of the need for the distribution of our development assistance to be carefully monitored, ensuring that it reaches its intended beneficiaries and makes a real difference in the lives of the poorest people. Peer reviews by the OECD of the Irish Aid programme have singled out Ireland's focus on the poorest countries in the world. These reviews have commended our aid...

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

Charles Flanagan: The promotion and protection of human rights in the Horn of Africa region remains a critical issue on the international agenda. In 2016, the UN Human Rights Council passed resolutions on several countries in the region, including Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan. In addition, the Council received the final report of the Commission of Inquiry on Eritrea, and established a...

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

Charles Flanagan: I have repeatedly condemned the crimes committed against religious and ethnic minorities across the Middle East, including Christians, who have been the victims of appalling crimes, including murder, sexual violence, enslavement and forced conversions. In recent years, we have contributed to strengthening international frameworks to uphold the rights of religious minorities. The actions...

Syrian Conflict: Statements (20 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I have listened carefully to all the contributions this evening. I thank my colleagues for their frankness and their passion in this important debate. It is clear, having regard to the number of telephone calls, letters and e-mails received by my Department and my constituency office in recent weeks, that this is an issue that is deeply troubling to the Irish public. The exchanges we have...

Syrian Conflict: Statements (20 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I would like to share time with Deputy Griffin.