Results 15,681-15,700 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (17 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Leonard Peltier was convicted of the murder of two FBI agents who died during a confrontation on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota in 1975. He was arrested in Canada on February 6, 1976, and extradited to the United States where he was tried in 1977. I am aware that a campaign has been mounted over the years seeking Mr. Peltier’s release and that the case has also...

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

Charles Flanagan: In relation to the Middle East, as in many areas of foreign policy, Ireland acts principally through the European Union, as the best means of exerting influence on the issue. In my previous reply referred to, I outlined a number of recent actions of the EU in relation to settlements. Some of these had a noticeable political impact in Israel, but I have continued to argue at EU level that...

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

Charles Flanagan: 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 our Embassy in Cairo, are in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (17 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Throughout this year the demand for passports has been exceptionally high. From 1 January to 13 May the Passport Service has received a total of 314,585 applications for passport books and 9,475 for passport cards. This represents a significant increase of almost 15% in applications for passport books compared to the same period last year. To address the anticipated increase over the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (17 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Department works closely with An Post to ensure that Passport Express customers are updated regularly on target turnaround times for passport applications. Passport renewal times can vary depending on seasonal and other factors. The Passport Service has experienced a 15% increase approximately in applications so far this year over 2015 and demand is expected to remain very high in the...

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

Charles Flanagan: The Government is committed to recognising the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict. The Government works consistently to achieve a free, independent and sovereign Palestinian state, not just in theory but in fact, and all of our actions on the Israeli/Palestinian issue are directed to that end. It is central to our objective of a two state solution that...

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

Charles Flanagan: Resolution L.39 at the 31st session of the UN Human Rights Council in March requested the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to compile the database referred to. There are questions as to the ability or resources of the UNHCHR to undertake such a task. The EU members of the HRC abstained on this resolution partly because of these concerns, and the belief that application of the Guiding...

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

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of this proposal, initiated by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), to lift the immunity from prosecution of some 130 Members of the Turkish Parliament through the suspension of Chapter 83 of the Constitution. I understand the draft legislative change was initially discussed by Parliamentary Committee in late April. On 2 May, the Committee approved the draft proposal,...

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

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy acknowledges, civil servants on assignment abroad are considered to be resident in Ireland for taxation purposes and for electoral purposes. In 2014, it was also confirmed that the dependent children of officials serving the State abroad, and residing with the official, would be considered resident in Ireland for the purposes of university tuition fees. In a number of...

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (6 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy could have been a Minister.

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion (6 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Not true.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (5 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: To address the anticipated increase in passport applications over the summer period the Passport Service has recruited Temporary Clerical Officers who will work a total of 5,122 weeks this year. Additional Temporary Clerical Officers will be recruited shortly for a total of 780 weeks to manage the significant increase in phone calls and customer queries over the remaining peak period. In...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Staff (5 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland’s network of embassies and missions around the world are critical to the achievement of our foreign policy and trade goals. The information requested by the Deputy is listed in the following table: MISSION Staff posted from HQ Locally recruited staff Brazil: Brasilia Sao Paulo 2 2 4 2 Cyprus 1 3 India 7 (incl. 4 D/Justice & Law Reform...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (4 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The domestic situation in Turkey remains a matter of concern, both for Ireland and our European partners. I would like to reiterate the serious concern I have expressed several times already in this House at the escalation of violence since the breakdown of the ceasefire between the Turkish Government and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) last summer. This breakdown has been all the more...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Migration Crisis (4 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Turkey has a key role to play in resolving the current migration crisis, as most of the migrants and refugees who have entered the EU since early 2015 have travelled via Turkey. The EU and Turkey have engaged deeply on developing joint approaches and the EU’s engagement with Turkey was the focus of the most recent European Council on 17 and 18 March 2016. The core intention of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Membership (4 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland supports the accession of Turkey to the EU. However, the domestic situation in Turkey remains a matter of concern, both for Ireland and our European partners and I would like to reiterate the serious concern I have expressed several times already in this House at the escalation of violence since the breakdown of the ceasefire between the Turkish Government and the Kurdistan Workers...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (4 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland continues to support the territorial integrity of Iraq and does not propose to intervene in internal constitutional matters of Iraq, which are for decision by the Iraqi people and their democratically elected leaders.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (4 May 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I have repeatedly condemned the horrific violence against all civilians in Syria and Iraq and have stated that there must also be legal accountability for victims of the Syrian conflict. In 2014 we co-sponsored a resolution calling for referral of the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court which was vetoed by Russia and China. Our support for referral of the situation in Syria...

EU Migration and Refugee Crisis: Statements (28 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: That is the place for you.

EU Migration and Refugee Crisis: Statements (28 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I am pleased to have this opportunity to address the House on this very important issue, which is one of the most serious facing our planet. My colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, spoke earlier about the internal EU dimensions of the migration crisis. As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I will speak about the external aspects of this crisis...