Results 15,241-15,260 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 829, 856 and 857 together. I condemned the attempted coup of 15 July in Turkey as a criminal act and an attack on democratic principles and institutions. In the aftermath of the coup, the people of Turkey publicly expressed their strong desire to protect and preserve democracy, in many cases coming out onto the streets to make their voices heard. I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My Department has consulted with our missions in the region on this case. I repeat the call that I have made previously, for security forces to be restrained and proportionate in their actions, and for all sides to avoid any provocative actions which could further inflame the situation. I condemn all attacks on innocent people, and any use of force that results in avoidable deaths. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952 gives the Minister for Foreign Affairs primary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland. Arrangements under which permission is granted for military aircraft, including US military aircraft, to land at Irish airports are governed by strict conditions. These include stipulations that the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: It is normal procedure for military pilots, including those of our own Air Corps, to conduct landings at airfields outside of their home country. Aviation, whether civil or military, is an international activity and aviation procedures, rules and practices can vary from country to country. Familiarisation with differentlocal procedures, geography and meteorological conditions contributes to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Like other Deputies, I myself received a copy of the letter referred to, which appears to have been drawn up by the Irish NGO concerned, and then Palestinian signatories gathered. The Government remains active and engaged on the objective of trying to achieve a two state solution in the Middle East, including a fully sovereign and free Palestinian state. There are few western countries as...

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

Charles Flanagan: In January this year, I launched an Economic Diplomacy Strategy that seeks to build on the consolidation of the Department’s trade role in recent years by establishing a network of locally hired Commercial Attachés to extend the range and impact of our Embassies’ activities in support of trade. Our Embassies in Mexico, Brasilia, Buenos Aires, Bucharest, and Jakarta have...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the legislation in question. The EU, the US and others have already expressed concerns with this Bill, and I share these concerns. I am also aware of the Israeli NGO legislation, which was made law in July, and about which I also have concerns.Israel is, traditionally, a society that allows dissenting voices to be heard. It has a history of open discussion on hard issues....

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

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 836 to 838, inclusive, together. My Department’s policy on the use of official credit cards is restrictive and credit cards are only authorised for officers who, due to the nature of their work or for particular circumstances, have a compelling business need for an official credit card. Official credit cards may only be used for necessary transactions...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Fees (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: A decision was taken in the 2005 budget to exempt applicants aged 65 and over from the passport fee. In 2011 the Government decided in light of the budgetary situation to discontinue the exemption and to apply the same ten-year passport fee to all applicants aged eighteen years or over. The annualised fee for a standard ten year Irish passport compares favourably with many other...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: While data on passport applications is not collated on the basis of country of residence, it is possible to set out application numbers by the channel through which they were submitted. Applications submitted via Northern Ireland Passport Express June July 2013 5699 4100 2014 6679 4507 2015 7042 4353 2016 7102 6325 Applications from Great Britain submitted via the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Sustainable Development Goals (16 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: Passport Applications Fees (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: A decision was taken in the 2005 budget to exempt applicants aged 65 and over from the passport fee. In 2011 the Government decided in light of the budgetary situation to discontinue the exemption and to apply the same ten-year passport fee to all applicants aged 18 years or over. The annualised fee for a standard ten year Irish passport compares favourably with many other jurisdictions....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 843 and 844 together. I am aware of the case of Bilal Kayed, and welcome the news that he has ended his hunger strike, as well as reports that he is due to be released in December. I understand that there are still concerns about Mr. Kayed’s health, and I hope that he makes a full recovery. Ireland’s diplomatic missions in the area have...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The purpose of stamping an application form in a Garda station in cases of loss, theft or damage of a passport is to witness the statement. The applicant completes Section 6, outlining the circumstances of loss, theft or damage and attests this statement and signs it in the presence of the Garda. The Garda then signs and stamps Section 6 confirming that they have witnessed the statement. As...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Fees (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The revenue collected in respect of passport applications for the past 12 months is as follows: 2015 2016 August €3,087,000 January €3,438,000 September €2,824,000 February €3,363,000 October €2,254,000 March €5,616,000 November €2,443,000 April €5,462,000 December €1,624,000 May €5,594,000 June €4,420,000...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts Data (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Any properties occupied by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in the State are rented and discharged by the Office of Public Works. There are no State Agencies or bodies under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: North-South Ministerial Council (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The next Plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) will be held in November. I would expect that we will have a further substantive discussion with our Northern Ireland colleagues on the implications of the UK referendum result. The envisaged agenda will also cover discussions on economic and financial matters, a review of existing NSMC work programmes and new priorities...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Aid (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland’s policy for International Development, One World, One Future, reiterates our longstanding commitment to strengthening health systems, reducing maternal and infant mortality and overcoming the HIV epidemic in developing countries. The Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Health Access Initiative have been important partners for the Government’s development programme, Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 848 and 859 together. It is my Department’s policy not to disclose details in individual consular cases, due to the requirement to protect the confidentiality and privacy of the relevant citizens. However, I would like to reassure the Deputies that my Department’s officials are engaged on the case he mentions. The person concerned is a citizen of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: National Postcode System Implementation (16 Sep 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My Department’s primary contact-point with our citizens is through our Passport Service which communicates with a significant number of citizens each year via An Post. In that regard, the Passport Service has considered how best to use Eircode in order to improve our communications with our customers. We have upgraded our processes to allow for the capture and use of Eircode, while a...