Results 15,621-15,640 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The need for the EU-Turkey agreement to comply with EU and international law was a key concern for very many Member States, including Ireland when the agreement was being negotiated by EU Heads of State and Government in March. Ireland raised it several times before the European Council, including at the General Affairs Council. The legal advice of the EU institutions was that there is such...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: In the course of Egypt’s Universal Periodic Review, which took place during our membership of the UN Human Rights Council, Ireland made a recommendation that “Egypt retract the draft legislation on civil society organisations, which threatens their independence by enabling the government to dissolve them without a court order or refuse to license new organisations on grounds...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My visit to Belfast last week was my first since my re-appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. I undertook a series of meetings with political, community and sports representatives. During my visit, I put forward the Government’s position on the UK-EU Referendum and our priorities in the new Programme for Government, which has detailed commitments in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Significant resources continue to be deployed by my Department, both in Cairo and in Dublin, in support of our objectives in this case. Those objectives, as previously reported to the House, are to seek the release of this citizen at the earliest opportunity so that he can return to his family and his studies in Ireland, and to provide consular assistance to the citizen and his family while...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The UNICEF report for the fourth quarter of 2015 confirms the tragic picture of which we were already aware, and which was the subject of much discussion in this House and elsewhere at the time. The deaths and other casualties detailed in the report relate largely to the outbreak of a wave of violent incidents from October last year, first in Jerusalem and then spreading to other cities. I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My Department has been working closely with our Embassy in New Delhi and the Consulate in Mumbai to provide consular assistance to the family of the Irish citizen at the centre of this tragic case, and officials remain in ongoing direct contact with the family. In the course of the past 17 months, my Department has provided extensive consular assistance in this case. My Department assisted...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UK Referendum on EU Membership (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 149 together. The outcome of this referendum is, first and foremost, a decision for UK voters to make on 23 June. However, Ireland has a unique perspective and interest in the outcome of the referendum which extends to our business sector and our mutually beneficial trading relationship. We trade around €1.2 billion of goods and services...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I have repeatedly condemned the horrific crimes by ISIS against religious and ethnic minorities in Syria and Iraq. ISIS has boasted of its use of murder, torture, mass sexual violence and forced religious conversions in areas under its control. Ireland has publicly condemned ISIS and other terrorist groups at the United Nations, including at the Human Rights Council. I note that the High...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I can assure the Deputy that the Government and my Department 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 taken by the Taoiseach, myself and other Ministers, and by my Department and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 146 together. The locations currently experiencing war, starvation, genocide, violence against women and children, and the use of child soldiers remain a constant concern to the EU, UN and wider global community. The priorities set out following the Foreign Policy Review in ‘The Global Island’ recognise that we are increasingly...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Government has consistently condemned the acts of violence being perpetrated by Boko Haram, which have resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of an estimated 2.2 million people. The brutal activities of Boko Haram continue to represent a serious threat to the peace and security of Nigeria, and to the wider region, including Cameroon, Chad and Niger. They also involve the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The rise of ultra-nationalist movements which are not committed to democratic means, in some states in Europe, is clearly of great concern. Given its particular history, Europe has to be vigilant to the false promises of extremist ideologies with their simplistic solutions to complex problems. Where extreme movements – of whatever political hue – advocate violent responses...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Development (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The question is open to a number of possible interpretations. On the issue of euro-scepticism, it is complex and multifaceted, but euro-scepticism is by no means a majority position across the EU or its Member States. Governments and citizens across Europe continue to hold broadly positive views on the European Union. Our Union’s positive image depends to a large degree on its...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Achieving relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the US and agreement on a facility for future legal migration between Ireland and the US remains a priority for the new Government. Our Embassy in Washington and Consulates elsewhere in the US are active in advocating immigration reform and the issue is also regularly addressed in high level political contacts between Ireland and the US...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: All passport applications are issued in accordance with the Passport Act 2008. In processing the application, the Passport Service has to establish the identity of the applicant and their entitlement to citizenship under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act. The Passport Service offers a number of ways for applicants to submit their application. The applicant must select the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 156 together. I have long made clear that the best means of protecting the Syrian people from the effect of violence is to reach a sustainable political agreement, based on the principles of the 2012 Geneva communique. I have repeatedly made clear, including to UN Secretary-General Ban and UN Special Envoy de Mistura, that Ireland strongly...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland has long been a supporter of the enlargement policy of the EU, which is widely regarded as one of the most successful policies of the EU in promoting stability, peace and prosperity. Turkeywas granted Candidate status by the European Council in December 1999 and the European Council agreed to begin accession negotiations in December 2004. Progress has been slow, due in part to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Since its inception over seventy years ago the United Nations has played a critical role in the resolution of conflicts and the maintenance of international peace and security. It does this primarily through the UN Security Council which has, under the UN Charter, ‘primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security’. The Council’s ability and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The international community is currently challenged by an unprecedented scale of humanitarian need globally. Conflict is a major driver of humanitarian need, and 80 per cent of humanitarian work is now in countries affected by conflict. Over 60 million people have been forcibly displaced from their homes, the highest number since the Second World War. This year the El Niño weather...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Agreements (26 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...