Results 15,661-15,680 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

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

Charles Flanagan: It has been over five years since the start of the conflict in Syria, and the suffering of the Syrian people has become a defining crisis of this generation. An estimated 400,000 people have been killed, and some 13.5 million people within Syria need humanitarian assistance. The UN estimates that more than 4.8 million Syrians have now fled to neighbouring countries. The Syria crisis...

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

Charles Flanagan: Prison issues in Northern Ireland have featured regularly in my discussions with the former Northern Ireland Minister for Justice, David Ford MLA and, on non-devolved aspects of the prison regime, with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers MP. I would expect that discussions on prison issues will continue with the incoming Northern Ireland Minister for Justice once...

Adjournment Debate: Passport Applications (19 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Deputy Breathnach for raising this important issue. The Irish Passport Office, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as its parent Department, are committed to ongoing reform and innovation to enhance and protect the integrity of the Irish passport booklet. Our passport booklet is widely recognised as being one of the most secure in the world. Protecting its reputation...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Aviation Issues (19 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My Department would not recommend against the granting of an exemption for the carriage of such items through Irish airspace on civil aircraft in circumstances where they are being transported for Irish Defence Forces or An Garda Síochána purposes. As stated in my reply to question 128, the final decision on all applications is taken by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (19 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: There are a number of ways of submitting your passport application and each of these services have different turnaround times. Passport Express through the An Post office network is most convenient and cost effective method for applicants who wish to renew a passport and whose departure date is more than 15 working days away. It should be noted that the turnaround time of 15 working days for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (19 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Dealing with the legacy of the past relating to the conflict in Northern Ireland is a major priority for me as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Government, and this is reflected in the new Programme for Government. In relation to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings, we have specifically committed in the Programme for Government to continuing our active pursuit of the implementation of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Application Refusals (19 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 various policies and practices, which are applied by the Passport Service in the issue of passports. It broadly requires that a person must be an Irish citizen; his/her identity is proven; andin the case of a child, the witnessed consent of that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (18 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I can assure the Deputy that I fully share her concerns about this case. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Expenditure (18 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Department is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation). The work of our Embassies around the world continues to be important in Ireland’s economic recovery and the restoration of our international reputation. Our Embassies’ work in support of Ireland’s interests includes: - Promoting Ireland as a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (18 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The information requested by the Deputy is provided in the following table. However, I would caution that the valuation figures provided are subject to the price volatility of the current global property market. The Embassies listed have been acquired in capitals where the Government considers that the State should be represented and where there is clear advantage to owning, rather than...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (18 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The information requested by the Deputy is listed in the following table. Figures relate to rental payments from 2013 - 2015. My Department proactively manages our lease portfolio and engages actively with our Missions on an ongoing basis to ensure value for money and that, where possible, savings are made. This does not include Multi-lateral Missions or Consulates. LOCATION 2013 2014...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (17 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I have repeatedly condemned the violence in Syria against civilians and wish to make clear my absolute abhorrence of the horrific reports from Aleppo and the suburbs of Damascus in recent days. I also want to condemn the continuing, deliberate denial of humanitarian relief to Daraya by the Assad regime in recent days. The targeting of a civilian population is a war crime. I refer to UN...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (17 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 578 and 579 together. The issue of euroscepticism is complex and multifaceted, but euroscepticism 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. The EU, and Ireland as a Member State, engages with the big issues of the day,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (17 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The world is currently facing a level of humanitarian crisis unprecedented in recent decades, and appeals for assistance continue to outpace the international community’s capacity to respond. Almost 60 million people are now displaced globally, the great majority of them fleeing from situations of conflict. Ireland’s humanitarian response focuses on the most severe crises,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukrainian Conflict (17 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Ukraine, and in particular resolution of the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine, remains a priority for the European Union. Discussion of the situation in Ukraine has featured on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council in January, March and April this year, either as a stand-alone item, or in broader discussions around the European Union’s relationship with Russia and the Eastern...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Safety of Irish Citizens Abroad (17 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Government is acutely conscious of the safety and security issues associated with such a major event. My Department is therefore actively engaging with the authorities in France and other key stakeholders in order that all appropriate measures are taken to ensure that Irish citizens are safe. The primary responsibility, of course, for the security of visitors in France lies with the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Oversight (17 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland’s aid programme has consistently been recognised internationally for its quality, effectiveness and engagement with the Irish public. We place a strong emphasis on aid transparency in the Government’s development programme, which is managed by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Publishing data on aid activities allows the Irish public and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff (17 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I can assure the Deputy that I am fully aware of the significant challenges the introduction of Lifetime Community Rating presents for the international health insurance policy operated by my Department. My Department administers foreign assignments for officials from across Government Departments who are assigned to serve the State in a variety of roles across our Mission network. A...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Israeli Settlements (17 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The situation in the two villages referred to by the Deputy are different in nature. Susiya, in the south Hebron hills in the occupied Palestinian Territory, is a community of herders, although they are not Bedouin. It has already been subject to demolition on number of occasions over many years, including destruction of caves and tents used by residents after their houses were...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Cases (17 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Respect for human rights and the promotion of human rights has always been and will continue to be a cornerstone of Ireland’s foreign policy. The Government therefore remains concerned about all reported cases of political imprisonment, including those in China. My Department is however unaware of the case of the individual in question. Ireland and its partners in the EU have...