Results 15,501-15,520 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

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: The Department's work under programme C has been supporting Ireland's economic recovery through effective contribution to job creation, exports, inward investment, education and tourism and building and maintaining strong bilateral relations to promote economic interests abroad. My Department's commitment to advancing Ireland's trade and economic interests in Europe and internationally is...

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: The Chairman has raised a very important point about co-operation between the various Departments. Of importance in that regard is the export trade council within my Department, which I chair, which comprises representatives at ministerial level from the Departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Education and Skills and Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and representatives from State...

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: This programme provides the framework for the Department's role in securing Ireland's influence in EU outcomes through maintaining and growing strong relationships with the European Union institutions and other member states. The programme equally supports Ireland's contribution to the EU's global engagement on peace and security, trade and development, as well as security in the wider...

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: In regard to the Chairman's question regarding the UK referendum, contingency plans, co-ordinated under the Department of the Taoiseach, are in place across a range of Departments, including the Departments of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Foreign Affairs and Trade and so on. We will be eagerly awaiting the result tomorrow. I expect the Taoiseach will...

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: Notwithstanding the ongoing rota of retirements it has been the policy of the Department over many years to ensure that we have a programme in place to minimise any loss of expertise. We ensure we have people in place with the appropriate level of expertise to meet the needs required in important roles. Through our recruitment and promotion competitions, organised by the Public Appointments...

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: We are undertaking a review because it is important to avail of all opportunities and we are emphasising our trade mandate. Over the past couple of years we managed in very challenging financial circumstances to open 14 new missions abroad. I expect that over the next couple of years we may be in a position to increase our complement. The review is considering Europe and further. Deputy...

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: The total number of staff in the Department is 1,580. That includes 314 locally recruited staff in missions abroad as well as over 150 temporary clerical officers to meet the seasonal demand in the Passport Office. Deputy McLoughlin has raised an important point and it is one we keep under review. We recently reviewed the operation of our single diplomat missions which have worked well but...

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 turn to income accruing under appropriations-in-aid. The primary source of income which accrues directly to the Exchequer from my Department comes from passport application fees, which are estimated to amount to more than €40 million in 2016 and which account for more than 90% of all our appropriations-in-aid receipts. The total income under appropriations-in-aid is estimated at...

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 cannot, Chairman.

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 would like to thank the Chairman for his engagement and wish him well in his capacity as Chairman of this important committee. I also wish the members of the committee well and I look forward to close engagement with the committee over the course of this Government.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Unaccompanied Minors and Separated Children (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The situation of unaccompanied minors is a distressing aspect of the ongoing Migration crisis and there are concerns in this regard in many countries both in Europe and elsewhere. While there is a problem with the care of unaccompanied minors in parts of Greece, the Greek authorities are working with the UN High Commission for Refugees and UNICEF to provide appropriate facilities for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: With 65 million people displaced from their homes worldwide, the plight of refugees is a priority for our humanitarian and development assistance. Through Irish Aid, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade provides humanitarian assistance for refugees forced to live in camps and those living in host communities, and supports their livelihoods through a range of channels. The United...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Sector Allowances (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Outcome of the Review of Public Sector Allowances was published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on 18 September 2012. In relation to my Department, the abolished allowances in question were the Deputy Head of Division allowance and the disturbance allowance (an allowance designed to assist with costs associated with a return from posting abroad). The disturbance...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Sector Staff Remuneration (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Policy making in relation to terms and conditions including determination of salary rates for public servants is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Israeli Settlements (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The European Union has taken a number of actions to distinguish between settlements and Israel proper, and between settlement goods and Israeli goods. Ireland has supported and indeed advocated for many of these. Goods from settlements are charged a higher tariff to enter the European market; meat from settlements may not be certified by Israeli veterinary authorities, and is thus in effect...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I have repeatedly discussed the conflicts in Syria and Iraq as well as the threat of terrorism at the EU since the start of this year. The January Foreign Affairs Council discussed the situation in Syria and EU support for the UN-led negotiations. The Syrian conflict was also discussed at the February Council and the May Council adopted conclusions on Syria, Iraq and Daesh, as well as...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (23 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland does not have any diplomatic relations with Kurdish representative bodies in Turkey, Iraq and Syria. Ireland, along with its EU partners, supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of those States. Ireland has repeatedly raised the human rights situation in Syria and Iraq at the UN and the EU. Ireland has called for referral of the situation in Syria to the International...

Seanad: EU-UK Relations: Statements (22 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I very much welcome the opportunity to address the recently convened Seanad. I wish everybody a successful, busy and productive time in the course of their tenure here. In particular, I offer my personal congratulations to you, a Chathaoirligh, on your elevation and appointment to the important national role as Cathaoirleach of the Seanad. I wish you every good health over the course of...

Seanad: EU-UK Relations: Statements (22 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I also welcome the opportunity to discuss this important issue just ahead of polling day in the UK's referendum on membership of the European Union. As Senators will be aware, this has been a closely fought campaign in the United Kingdom and the tragic events of last Thursday understandably cast a dark cloud over proceedings in these final days. We all felt absolute horror at the murder of...

Seanad: EU-UK Relations: Statements (22 Jun 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the importance of this debate and the informed contributions Seanadóirí have made. On the occasion of my first visit to the recently-established Seanad I was struck by the number of Senators present for the debate. It underlines the importance of it. While I am looking around I wish to avail of the opportunity to wish all the new Senators and other Members a...