Results 15,281-15,300 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (21 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: ‘The Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World’ and ‘One World, One Future: Ireland’s Policy for International Development' reaffirm Ireland’s commitment to advancing gender equality globally through our international engagement and development assistance programmes. In line with these policies Ireland is actively engaged in the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Gender Equality (21 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Commission on the Status of Women is the principal global policy-making body dedicated exclusively to gender equality and advancement of women. Ireland will, for the first time, serve as a member of the Commission from 2017 to 2021. Our membership of the Commission provides an opportunity for Ireland to further enhance our commitment to the promotion of gender equality and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (21 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The conflict in Gaza two years ago compounded an already serious humanitarian situation, with a high level of civilian casualties, large scale internal displacement and massive damage to the already fragile infrastructure. At the International Gaza Reconstruction Conference, held in Cairo in October 2014, donors pledged USD3.5 billion to support recovery efforts in Gaza in the aftermath of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Peace and Reconciliation Programme (21 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Reconciliation Fund, which is administered by my Department, was established in 1982 to support civil society organisations create better understanding between the people and traditions of the island of Ireland, and also between Ireland and Britain. Between 1982 and the end of 2015 approximately €44 million in funding has been allocated. The signing of the Good Friday Agreement in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Living Wage (21 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The remuneration of the staff of my Department is as sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in line with Government policy. It is very difficult to estimate the potential cost of introducing an hourly rate of €11.50 per hour for all employees of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This is largely dependent on the number of temporary clerical staff...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Living Wage (21 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s public procurement activity involves the acquisition of services, supplies, goods and works in accordance with the Government’s procurement policies. There are no State Agencies reporting to my Department. Open public procurement procedures are used to engage external contractors to provide non-core services involving ICT,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Freedom of Information Data (21 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Breakdown of Freedom of Information Requests to date Number of FOI requests received* Number of completed requests part-granted Number of completed requests refused 107 21 7*Total requests received includes requests still under consideration, requests subsequently withdrawn and those withdrawn and answered outside of the FOI Act.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Travel (21 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Mileage expenses are paid in accordance with rates and regulations set down by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Mileage expenses are a monthly total and reflect business related travel across Ireland during the respective month, and incorporate deductions for any personal related travel. Listed in the following table are the details of travel expenses, including mileage, paid...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Advisers Remuneration (21 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The following are the details of the Special Advisers who have been appointed to my Department under the Guidelines on Staffing of Ministerial Offices for the 32nd Dáil. Minister Name Annual Salary Scale € Minister Charlie Flanagan Sarah Kavanagh Tom Fabozzi 79,401 – 97,194 79,401 – 97,194 I can confirm that no request has been received to date for an increase...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion (21 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: A number of challenges and uncertainties lie ahead given the outcome of the UK Referendum on EU Membership, not least insofar as our trading relationships are concerned. Whatever shape new trade arrangements emerging from a UK exit from the European Union might take, the deep-rooted and longstanding economic relationship between Ireland and the UK will undoubtedly remain important to us. At...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (20 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Government has committed “to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict”. The Government works consistently to achieve a free, independent and sovereign Palestinian state, not just in theory but in fact, and all of our actions on the Israeli/Palestinian issue are directed to that end. It is central to our objective of a two state...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Religious Persecution (20 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur or who the victims are. We attach great importance to combatting all forms of discrimination based on religion or belief and incitement to religious hatred. In cooperation with our EU partners, we consistently press for effective action to counter the persecution of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (20 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The issue of euroscepticism is complex and multifaceted. 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. The European Union engages with the big issues of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (20 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I urge all parties to work for a sustainable political solution to the Syrian conflict, and in particular to support the ongoing efforts by UN Special Envoy Steffan de Mistura on achieving a political transition. This remains the core issue in the conflict - no long-term peace can be achieved without agreement on political change in Syria. The cessation of hostilities remains critical to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Data (20 Jul 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....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UK Referendum on EU Membership (20 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Relations between Britain and Ireland have improved greatly over recent years and the Government is committed to maintaining these good relations as we navigate our way through the new landscape following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union. In this context, I met the UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in Brussels on Monday and discussed with him the broad range of issues...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (20 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: At present, Ireland’s diplomatic network includes 61 Embassies, 7 multilateral missions, 11 Consulates General and one Representative office. The scale and presence of the network is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis. Any decision to adjust the State’s external representation, including the opening of missions, will have regard to national priorities and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Meetings (20 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I met with the CEOs of the leading Irish humanitarian Non-Governmental Organisations on 9 September 2015 to discuss the Syria crisis and migration challenges. The then Minister of State, Mr. Seán Sherlock, T.D. and Tánaiste, Ms. Joan Burton, T.D., along with officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, also attended. The CEOs of Concern, Trócaire, GOAL,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Migration Crisis (20 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Last month, the European Commission set out a new concept of cooperation with third countries, the Migration Partnership Framework, which brings together the EU and its Member States, and focuses on ensuring the necessary coherence between the Union's migration policy and its other policies. The June European Council gave a general welcome to the proposal and asked that work to implement it...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Titles (20 Jul 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to inform the Deputy that I do not intend to change the name of my Department.