Results 15,581-15,600 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (31 May 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. Permission must be sought in advance for landings by all foreign military aircraft, including US aircraft, and if granted, is subject to strict conditions. These include stipulations that the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Advertising Expenditure (31 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My Department is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28: Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Vote 27: International Cooperation. Advertising undertaken by the Department typically includes advisory notices on public opening hours over holiday periods, changes in passport application procedures and fees, employment opportunities that arise in the Department from time to time, as well as public...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (31 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The general issue of growing pressure on NGOs in Israel has been discussed in the House on a number of occasions recently, including in last week’s oral Questions. I have stated that this pressure is a matter of growing concern, both to me and in the wider international community, while recognizing nonetheless that Israel still enjoys a much stronger civil society sector than is the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (31 May 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. Permission must be sought in advance for landings by all foreign military aircraft, including US aircraft, and if granted, is subject to strict conditions. These include stipulations that the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Female Genital Mutilation (31 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 532 and 533 together. We regard the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) as a clear violation of the human rights of women and girls. It represents one of the most pervasive forms of gender based violence. Its prevalence in certain regions is in general not the result of Government policy but of traditional practice, based on a complex range of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (31 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland has raised freedom of expression and media freedom in a wide range of countries, both through national statements and bilateral diplomatic contacts and through the EU. In the most recent session of the UN Human Right Council in March 2016, the EU statement delivered a Statement in which it raised concerns about “increased pressure – including through travel bans - on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Agreements (31 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The US J1 Summer Work and Travel programme has been a tremendously successful part of the Irish-US bilateral relationship for almost 50 years, with 150,000 Irish third level students taking the opportunity to experience life and work in the US over that time. The Government of Ireland does not have any role in administering the J-1 scheme, which is a programme of the US Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (31 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My Department comprises two separate votes, Vote 28 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vote 27 International Co-operation. The total amounts spent on professional fees in 2015 was as follows: Votes Amount Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade): €5.992m Vote 27 (International Cooperation): €1.364m Total €7.356m The application of 10% reduction to this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (31 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My Department comprises two separate votes, Vote 28 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vote 27 International Co-operation. The total amount spent on travel in 2015 is as per the following table: - € Vote 27 1.647m Vote 28 4.434m Total 6.081m The application of 10% reduction to this expenditure would result in a savings of approximately €0.6m. Reductions of this...

Other Questions: Trade Data (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Trade in goods with Israel in 2015 amounted to €987 million, which consisted of exports of €871 million to Israel and imports of €117 million from Israel. I am rounding off these figures for the purpose of the reply. Trade in services, for which the most recent figures I have are for 2014, amounted to €649 million, of which Irish exports were €559 million...

Other Questions: Trade Data (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The purchase of military equipment for the Defence Forces is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Defence. The normal criteria for such purposes include the effectiveness of the equipment for the protection of Irish troops and value for money. Of its nature, suitable military equipment is often only available from a small number of countries.

Other Questions: Humanitarian Aid Provision (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Are we going back to Question No. 6?

Other Questions: Human Rights Issues (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: There is no procedure by which the Government confers recognition on persons as human rights defenders but protection of human rights defenders is a critical element of the protection of human rights anywhere. Rights and protections do not effectively exist if they cannot be invoked and defended on the ground. The person in question is a leading advocate of the movement for boycott,...

Other Questions: Human Rights Issues (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I ask the Deputy and other Members to recognise that there is a difficulty regarding this matter in so far as there is no definition of the term "human rights defender". I note that this individual's case is one that has been raised by Front Line Defenders, which is a highly respected NGO with which my Department works closely and whose bona fides I fully accept. As I outlined in my reply,...

Other Questions: Human Rights Issues (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Government has noted the Deputy's comments and the comments of international organisations in that regard but I remind the Deputy and the House that this case has only just emerged with the non-renewal of the travel documents of the person. This is the beginning of the review status and not the end. He will have legal opportunities to challenge any change in status. More...

Other Questions: Irish Prisoners Abroad (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge the positive comments of both Deputies and I assure them I will keep them and the House fully informed of developments, if any, in this case. I assure Deputy Gino Kenny that the case has been discussed by the Taoiseach and myself with our Egyptian counterparts. I have taken careful note of the points raised. It remains clear from all our contacts with the Egyptian authorities...

Other Questions: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I remind the House that addressing the needs of victims and survivors is at the core of the Government's approach to dealing with the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland. Indeed, this is reflected in the recently agreed programme for Government, as published. We will continue to work to build on the progress made in the all-party talks last autumn, to see the establishment of a new...

Other Questions: Irish Prisoners Abroad (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 13 and 24 together. This case remains a high priority for the Government and my Department. We are continuing to pursue every constructive avenue to secure the release of this citizen and we will continue to bring all of our influence to bear on his behalf through all appropriate channels. All of the sustained and focused actions that have been...

Other Questions: Irish Prisoners Abroad (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to assure both Deputies that we will continue to use all our influence in this matter in order to secure the objective, which is the release of the individual in question. I am pleased to note that is the considered view of everybody in this House. It is important that we all work together on this issue. I acknowledge that there have been many different views and suggestions for...

Other Questions: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I welcome Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan back to the House. I had been looking over towards her more familiar spot opposite me but I welcome her to the upper reaches of the benches. Dealing with the legacy issues of the past relating to the conflict in Northern Ireland and the Dublin-Monaghan bombings is a major priority for me as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and for the Government....