Results 15,481-15,500 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (28 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: We have already welcomed the latest report by the UN Human Rights Council Commission of Inquiry into the situation in Syria in a national statement delivered in the Council earlier this month. I want to acknowledge the authoritative and comprehensive nature of the report. The report, based on direct testimony from survivors, makes clear the horrific crimes against the Yazidi population...

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

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 317 and 325 together. I am aware of the decision by the Bahraini authorities to revoke the citizenship of this person. The right to a nationality is a fundamental human right. I am aware that since 2014, Bahrain has revoked the citizenship of over 250 people. This is a worrying development, in particular in light of other recent moves in Bahrain to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Fees (28 Jun 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 annualized fee for a standard ten year Irish passport compares favourably with many other jurisdictions....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (28 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: In the course of my visit, I met with Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu. I also met with the leader of the opposition in the Knesset, Mr. Isaac Herzog, and with the Chair of the Knesset’s Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, Mr. Avi Dichter. In Ramallah, I met with the Palestinian Prime Minister, Mr. Rami Hamdallah, and the Minister for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (28 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I learned with concern of the death of eight refugees on the Turkish-Syrian border on 19 June. I am also aware that the Turkish Foreign Ministry has refuted allegations that the refugees were shot by border guards, saying that Turkish security forces ‘act fully within the legal framework’. Furthermore, I am aware of recent reports by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (28 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The effectiveness and universality of the United Nations system has been a central principle of Irish foreign policy for very many decades. Successive Irish Governments have accepted that Israel, like any other state, should be able to stand for election to, and occupy positions in, UN structures. On this basis, Ireland has agreed to the inclusion of Israel in relevant Western European and...

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

Charles Flanagan: Ireland’s National Plan on Business and Human Rights, when completed, will implement the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights which were endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council in June 2011. The Guiding Principles provide a globally recognised framework which outlines the roles of States and business enterprises in protecting human rights. On the occasion...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (28 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland has long been concerned about the growing frequency of the use of force, including lethal force, by Israeli security forces in non-life-threatening situations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and by an evident lack of accountability in relation to incidents involving the security forces. The same behaviours are not seen where the security forces are engaged in similar...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Missions Data (28 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the recent report by Value Added in Africa that reviews trade between Ireland and six countries in Africa over the period 2011 to 2014. The enhancement of economic relations with Africa is a central pillar of my Department’s Africa Strategy.Two-way trade, in goods and services, between Ireland and Africa increased by about one third between 2010 and 2014, from...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (28 Jun 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: Passport Services (28 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Passport Service takes every opportunity to remind citizens to check their passport validity including through messaging on the Department’s website, via social media and also as part of media campaigns such as that for the launch of the Passport Card. In briefing to Members of the Oireachtas I regularly emphasise the need for citizens to apply at least six weeks in advance of...

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

Charles Flanagan: My Department is aware of the case of this Irish citizen, including with regard to recent developments. The Consulate General in Edinburgh has followed up on this matter and is ready to offer all appropriate assistance. As is the case with any imprisoned Irish citizen abroad, any concern related to ill-treatment is treated with the utmost seriousness.

United Kingdom Referendum on European Union Membership: Statements (27 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: After all that.

United Kingdom Referendum on European Union Membership: Statements (27 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I want to acknowledge the importance of this afternoon's debate. I thank the Government Chief Whip for ensuring it took place. As a Government, we welcome all the views in the House. I detect and acknowledge a collective determination across the Government and Opposition benches to meet the challenges and uncertainties of the period ahead. Our work together over the next months and years...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I will start by congratulating you on your recent appointment as Chairman of this committee and I also congratulate the members of the reconfigured committee for the Thirty-second Dáil. I look forward to engaging with the committee not only today but in future months and, dare I say, years. Under the programme for a partnership Government, this Government is committed to reform of...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Work under the programme includes: the effective delivery of passport and consular services for citizens; supporting emigrants; deepening engagement with the diaspora; sustaining peace and enhancing reconciliation and political progress in Northern Ireland; increasing North-South and British-Irish co-operation; and promoting our culture, arts and creative industries throughout our embassy...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Chair.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I thank members for their contributions. Perhaps I can address the replies by way of groups because there has been an interest in the same topics, including the issue raised by the Chairman and Deputy Darragh O'Brien in regard to Northern Ireland. I wish to assure members that we are anxious to advance matters under the Good Friday Agreement, the Stormont House Agreement and A Fresh Start....

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Programme B covers the Department's contribution towards a more just world, the promotion and protection of human rights internationally and a more secure world based on a stable and secure rules-based international environment. Over 70% of current expenditure in this programme is made up of contributions to international organisations. My Department's commitments to international peace,...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: With regard to the Chairman's opening question on the matter of the interdepartmental committee on human rights, which was established in 2015 with the objective of improving the coherence of the promotion and protection of human rights, I believe work is ongoing. A number of meetings have taken place. I do not have up-to-date information since the recent Government formation but I would be...