Results 15,641-15,660 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

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

Charles Flanagan: The atrocities perpetrated by Boko Haram in Nigeria and the wider region, which have resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of an estimated 2.2 million people, have been discussed and condemned at numerous EU and UN fora. These brutal activities continue to represent a serious threat to the peace and security of the region, and involve the clear and persistent abuse of human...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Partnership for Peace (26 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland has been a member of the Partnership for Peace since 1999. Our engagement with the programme is carried out via a Liaison Office in Brussels. Ireland’s participation in the Partnership aims to ensure that our Defence Forces have the necessary capabilities to continue to partner effectively and securely with other nations in UN-mandated peacekeeping operations. The cost of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Sports Events (25 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The European Championships are taking place against a backdrop of heightened security concerns in France, which remains in a state of National Emergency since the terrorist attacks of 13 November. Our advice to Irish citizens intending to travel to France is that they should exercise a high degree of caution. Detailed travel advice is available on my Department’s website...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (25 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: Northern Ireland (25 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: There have been three murders in Belfast in recent months – those of Adrian Ismay, Michael McGibbon, and Dan Murray – and a number of shootings. Each was a brutal act of criminality which should have no place in our society. I would encourage anyone with information regarding any of these crimes to bring it to the PSNI. My thoughts and sympathies are with the families and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UK Referendum on EU Membership (25 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland has a unique perspective and interest in the outcome of the upcoming referendum on UK membership of the European Union. We fully respect that the outcome of the referendum is, first and foremost, a decision for UK voters to make on 23 June. However, I and my Government colleagues are committed to engaging with the debate to ensure that the Irish perspective is heard and understood....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (25 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of this case, which has just arisen with the refusal to renew the individual’s travel permit earlier this month. This appears to be on the basis of a review of his right to reside in Israel, and to return there after travel to the occupied territory and elsewhere. No request for assistance has been received from this person, by ourselves or – so far as we can...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (25 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The protection of human rights in Northern Ireland law, incorporating the European Convention on Human Rights, is one of the key principles underpinning the Good Friday Agreement. As co-guarantor of the Agreement, the Government takes very seriously its responsibility to safeguard its institutions and principles. The fundamental role of human rights in guaranteeing peace and stability in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad (25 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Government is pursuing every avenue to secure the release of this citizen and will continue to bring all of our influence to bear on his behalf through all appropriate channels. Significant resources continue to be deployed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, both in Cairo and in Dublin, in the provision of comprehensive consular assistance to both the detained citizen and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (25 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: There been a strong emphasis on openness and transparency during the EU-US trade negotiating rounds. The EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström has initiated a transparency initiative that includes making public all EU negotiating texts and textual proposals in relation to the EU-US free trade negotiations. The EU Commission has also published summaries and clear explanations about...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Summits (25 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The first ever World Humanitarian Summit which took place in Istanbul on 23 and 24 May 2016 was called for by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in the last year of his tenure. President Michael D. Higgins and Minister of State Joe McHugh represented Ireland at the Summit. Some 5,000 participants attended, including 50 Heads of State and Government, other global leaders, civil society...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (24 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended (the Act). This provides a legal basis for the issue of passports. It broadly requires that: - a person must be an Irish citizen; - his/her identity is proven; and - in the case of a child, the witnessed consent of that child’s guardian(s) is provided. Citizenship Irish citizenship is subject...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (24 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended. This provides a legal basis for the issue of passports. It broadly requires that: - a person must be an Irish citizen; and - his/her identity is proven. From the details supplied, there is no record of an application from the person in question on the passport system. It is, therefore, open to her to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Properties (24 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My Department does not own any State properties or land holdings.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (24 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: As of 20 May, the turnaround time for passport renewals through Passport Express is 13/14 working days (applicants are advised that the projected turnaround time is 15 working days). The turnaround time for first time applications is longer at 25 working days due to the additional anti-fraud measures required and the need to establish citizenship. Applications made for Irish passports...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (24 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The relatives in this case should contact the responsible agencies, including UNHCR and UNICEF, in Damascus directly, where such family reunification cases are dealt with. Ireland is strongly committed to alleviating the suffering of the people of Syria and, since 2012, has provided over €42 million in humanitarian support to those affected by the Syria crisis. We have pledged to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (24 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Since 29 March 2016, my Department has required all first-time passport applicants who are resident in Ireland and are over eighteen years of age to hold a valid Public Services Card. This new requirement also applies to the small number of adult applicants whose last passport was issued prior to 1 January 2005 and which is now reported as lost, stolen or damaged. The measure is an important...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (24 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) comprises two main elements. Some 80% is accounted for under the budget allocation to Vote 27 - International Co-operation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which manages the Irish Aid programme. The remaining 20% is accounted for by Ireland’s share of the EU Development cooperation budget and by development...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (24 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I welcome the holding of the recent Vienna meeting of the International Syria Support Group, but I am concerned about the absence of an agreed date for the renewal of negotiations. An early resumption of negotiations and progress on the core issue of a political transition are central to achieving a political solution. I discussed these issues with my EU colleagues at the Foreign Affairs...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (24 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...