Results 15,181-15,200 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Topical Issue Debate: Consular Services Provision (6 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I assure the Deputies and the House that the Government remains most concerned about the well-being and health of this Irish citizen. We have made our concerns perfectly clear to senior Filipino officials on a number of occasions at face to face meetings, and we will continue to do so. The Deputies will appreciate that because of the separation of powers, the Philippines Government cannot...

Topical Issue Debate: Consular Services Provision (6 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I am very much aware of this difficult consular case in the Philippines and I and Department officials have been giving the matter priority attention for some time. The case, which has been ongoing since 2013, involves an Irish citizen, currently on bail, who is appealing against his conviction and 12-year prison sentence for possession of drugs. The individual concerned has consistently...

Topical Issue Debate: Humanitarian Aid Provision (6 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Deputy Griffin for raising this issue. As I have outlined in previous public statements, and as the Taoiseach stated in the House on Tuesday, as a nation we have been shocked and outraged at the appalling scenes of suffering from Aleppo that we have seen daily on our television screens and read in our newspapers. I thank the Deputy for giving me an opportunity to set out in greater...

Topical Issue Debate: Humanitarian Aid Provision (6 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I agree and I wish to assure the House, as the Taoiseach did on Tuesday in my presence, that I would be happy to facilitate Members. That is an issue for the business committee but I would be happy to comply and co-operate, as is always my priority. I share the absolute revulsion and horror that so many Irish citizens have expressed at the events in Aleppo. Reports of families sleeping...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (6 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Dealing with the legacy of the past relating to the conflict in Northern Ireland is a major priority for me as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and for the Government. This commitment is reflected in the Programme for a Partnership Government, which makes specific reference to the Dublin Monaghan bombings. The All-Party motion on the 1974 Dublin Monaghan bombings adopted in this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (6 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 179 together. The case of this citizen remains a high priority for me and the Government. The Government is continuing to use every possible opportunity to underline our concerns about this case to the Egyptian Government, and also with the EU. On 24 September I met with Foreign Minister Shoukry in New York where I again highlighted my...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Centenarian Bounty Scheme (6 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 178 together. This is a repeat of my reply to the same questions, Nos. 315 and 316, on Tuesday, 4 October 2016. The Centenarian Bounty is the award made by the President of Ireland to people living in Ireland who have reached 100 years of age. On 23 March 2006, the Government approved the extension of the ‘Centenarian Bounty’ scheme...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Funding (6 Oct 2016)

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

Seanad: UK Referendum on EU Membership: Statements (5 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I am very pleased to be back in the Upper House to engage with Senators on what is, undoubtedly, the highest priority and biggest challenge on my desk as Minister - addressing the implications of Brexit. The Cabinet has been discussing the issue on an almost weekly basis since plans for a referendum were first announced. Yesterday the Taoiseach and I presented a memorandum to colleagues and...

Seanad: UK Referendum on EU Membership: Statements (5 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Members of the Upper House for their considered contributions to the ongoing debate. This is the first of a number of opportunities we will have in the coming years to debate this important matter. I assure Senators of my full engagement with them. I acknowledge their role, not only here in plenary session where I have had the opportunity over recent months to engage with them...

Seanad: UK Referendum on EU Membership: Statements (5 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Government continues to make this point at every opportunity. Senators asked me directly whether a Border poll had been discussed with my UK counterparts. Yes, it was the subject matter of discussion. I do not expect a Border poll in the near future. I stand strongly by the letter and spirit and the terms and conditions of the Good Friday Agreement as far as that is concerned. I hope...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Sector Staff Retirements (5 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The only persons outside the Payroll Shared Service Centre, under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, are locally engaged staff employed in our Missions abroad. Locally-engaged staff are not Irish civil or public servants. They are staff employed directly by our Missions under terms and conditions set in accordance with local laws. I have set out the details requested...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (5 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: On the occasion of Human Rights Day, 10 December 2015, I was pleased to publish the Working Outline of the National Plan on Business and Human Rights, which was the result of extensive consultation and engagement by officials from my Department with other Government Departments, representatives of civil society, academics and the business community. The Working Outline provided a basis for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Immigration Policy (5 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The case of unaccompanied minors is a very distressing aspect of the ongoing Migration crisis and the situation in Calais is particularly so. According to French estimates there are some 7,000 migrants living in the Calais area. Of these, 900 are estimated to be unaccompanied minors. On a visit to Calais on 26th September, President Hollande announced the definitive closure of the Camp...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Centenarian Bounty Scheme (4 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 315 and 316 together. The Centenarian Bounty is the award made by the President of Ireland to people living in Ireland who have reached 100 years of age. On 23 March 2006, the Government approved the extension of the ‘Centenarian Bounty’ scheme whereby persons born on the island of Ireland, who have reached 100 years of age, wherever they may...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (4 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers and my officials in the Belfast Secretariat monitor this and other cases as part of their ongoing work on prison issues generally in Northern Ireland. The person concerned was detained in March 2016 when the release licence granted to him under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement was revoked by the then Secretary of State for Northern...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Strategy Statements (4 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: In line with obligations under the Public Services Management Act (1997), my Department is currently preparing a new Statement of Strategy which will be published later this year. The Statement of Strategy will articulate how this Department intends to implement the commitments assigned to it under the Programme for a Partnership Government. Under the Irish Human Rights and Equality...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (4 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The revenue collected in respect of passport applications for 2015 is as follows: 2015 € January 3,230,154 February 3,545,489 March 3,837,807 April 5,472,677 May 4,742,979 June 4,726,473 July 4,481,140 August 3,087,477 September 2,824,242 October 2,253,850 November 2,442,537 December 1,623,548 Total 42,268,373 The revenue is appropriation in aid and is remitted directly...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Anti-Terrorism Measures (4 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. 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.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (4 Oct 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 321 to 323, inclusive, and 327 and 328 together. The case of this citizen remains a high priority for me and the Government. The Government is continuing to use every possible opportunity to underline our concerns about this case to the Egyptian Government, and also with the EU. I met with Foreign Minister Shoukry last week in New York where I...