Results 15,201-15,220 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

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

Charles Flanagan: It is important to note that such official properties are not solely or primarily the living quarters of Ireland’s Heads of Mission abroad. They are first and foremost official facilities for use by the Embassies and State Agencies, working together in the promotion of Ireland’s political and economic interests. These official spaces are used extensively to promote our exports...

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

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 325, 326 and 329 together. 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,...

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

Charles Flanagan: Details are set out in the table of the retired officials of my Department who were re-employed on temporary contracts in 2016 in my Department: Grade Position Held Duration Assistant Secretary To assist in the preparation of files for the National Archives Contract for a maximum of 10 weeks spread over the twelve months of 2016 Assistant Secretary To assist in the preparation of files...

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

Charles Flanagan: At the end of August 2016, the number of staff employed by my Department was *1652 officers, of which 325 were recruited locally by missions abroad and 41 were seconded from other Government Departments or private sector organisations. The figure also includes 182 Temporary Clerical Officers (TCOs) who are recruited annually on fixed term contracts primarily to assist the Passport Service...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (28 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 167 together. Firstly, as we mark the second anniversary of those tragic events, allow me to reiterate my sympathies to the families of the 43 students who disappeared in Iguala, Mexico in September 2014. Those families need and deserve answers, and it is critically important that a full and comprehensive investigation of their disappearance be...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (28 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I have repeatedly made clear my concerns about demolition of homes and seizures of land by the Israeli occupation authorities. We have conveyed these concerns to the Israeli authorities, and worked to focus EU attention on them. However, my Department cannot attempt to track and take action on the case of every individual house. All people living under occupation are entitled to respect...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Implications for Good Friday Agreement of UK EU Referendum Result: Discussion (27 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I am pleased to have the opportunity to discuss with the committee the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and the important developments relating to the ongoing peace process. As the Chairman will be aware, this is the first time that I have participated in the committee's proceedings since it was formed with new members and a new Chairman following this year's Dáil and Seanad...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Implications for Good Friday Agreement of UK EU Referendum Result: Discussion (27 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I am in your hands, Chairman.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Implications for Good Friday Agreement of UK EU Referendum Result: Discussion (27 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: These are issues that will be taken up by other members of the committee. I acknowledge that the issues raised by Dr. Alasdair McDonnell, Deputy Sherlock and Senator Craughwell are perhaps the most important ones in this engagement. We have not reached a conclusion on any of them because the negotiations have not yet commenced. The issue raised by Dr. McDonnell on the hard border is one...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Implications for Good Friday Agreement of UK EU Referendum Result: Discussion (27 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the fact that I do not live in a Border area, nor have I ever. I do not represent a Border area but I do not see that as a disadvantage because there are vehicles such as this committee. I keep in close contact with my Government colleagues from the Border area, including Deputy McLoughlin and Senator Feighan. I welcome the experience and expertise that Deputy Smith has...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Implications for Good Friday Agreement of UK EU Referendum Result: Discussion (27 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I will respond briefly to a point raised by Deputy Breathnach that I probably did not deal with adequately earlier. I want to make it clear that the Government remains fully committed to the successful implementation of the PEACE and INTERREG programmes. A lot of money is involved. In fact, the Government is proud of its role in securing funding for the fourth round of the PEACE programme....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Implications for Good Friday Agreement of UK EU Referendum Result: Discussion (27 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: That is perfect.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Implications for Good Friday Agreement of UK EU Referendum Result: Discussion (27 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Senator Black referred to funding. I wish to acknowledge the importance of funding from the Northern Ireland Executive, the UK Government and my Department. Since its establishment, the reconciliation fund has seen in excess of €46 million disbursed to a total of almost 2,000 projects. Of course, we will continue to ensure that these funds are made available. This is an issue of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Sustainable Development Goals (27 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The 2030 Agenda, which encompasses seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), was adopted by world leaders at the UN Summit in New York last September. It provides the framework for sustainable development globally, with universal application. Given its universal nature, Ireland’s implementation will not be confined to the work of our overseas development assistance programme,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (27 Sep 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: Overseas Development Aid Data (27 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme, and to its place at the heart of our foreign policy.“One World, One Future”, our policy for international development, clearly articulates our commitment to the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Product (GNP) as Official Development Assistance (ODA), while the Programme for Government...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (27 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers and which has been raised in the House on previous occasions. The individual concerned is a citizen of the United States and this case is a matter for the US authorities and their judicial system. As the Government has no locus standi on this case, I do not propose to make representations to the U.S. Federal Government in relation to this matter.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (27 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: As referred to by President Juncker in his state of the Union address, Federica Mogherini is the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, a post created by the Lisbon Treaty. She is doing an excellent job, including in chairing the Foreign Affairs Council. I read President Juncker’s reference to a European Foreign Minister less as an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (27 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The European Global Strategy which was presented by HRVP Mogherini to Heads of State and Government at the European Council in June recognises that instability in European neighbourhoods is a source of threats to the safety of our citizens. Ireland recognises the need to invest more in conflict resolution using all the instruments available to the EU in an integrated way. This includes...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Internships (27 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My Department offers a limited number of 11-month internships for graduates in the areas of human rights, conflict resolution and legal affairs. These internships are advertised on our website www.dfa.ieand also through the careers offices of Irish third-level institutions. Recruitment to these internship opportunities is carried out by means of a competitive selection process, involving...