Results 15,741-15,760 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (20 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The issue of euro-scepticism is complex and multifaceted, but 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, whether they relate to stability, jobs and growth, or to challenges external and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (20 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I welcome the resumption of the Geneva III talks on Friday 15 April, and in particular the focus by UN Special Envoy Steffan de Mistura on achieving a political transition. This remains the core issue in the conflict and no sustainable peace can be achieved without agreement on political change in Syria. The cessation of hostilities remains critical to the negotiations. There can be no...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft (14 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: In accordance with the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order of 1952, foreign military aircraft may not fly over or land in the State unless permission has been granted by my Department. The US Embassy has not requested permission from my Department for a landing by a military unmanned aircraft in the State nor has it notified my Department about any such unmanned aircraft...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (14 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I have no plans to meet with the Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Shannon Airport Facilities (14 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the report referred to by the Deputy and of the issues raised. The impact of the widespread contamination from explosive remnants of war is an issue of concern to Ireland and one which we have been active in addressing. In particular, Ireland has consistently supported calls for further research to assess the health risks and environmental impact of the use of arms and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (14 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I have not had any talks or consultations with the Government of the United States of America regarding the Hibernia Atlantic Cable. As Minister, I have no role in determining the uses to which international fibre connections can be put, nor do I have any role in the monitoring of data traffic passing over fibre networks transiting the State. The maintenance of free and open connectivity...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Bank Guarantee Scheme (14 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My Department does not have responsibility in regard to Irish banks’ investment decisions and has not been contacted in relation to the matter to which the Deputy refers.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (14 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The requirement that adults who are applying for a passport for the first time hold a Public Services Card (PSC) and submit a copy of this card was introduced from 29 March. This change is an important further step in preventing fraud and identity theft. It will ensure that the identity of first-time applicants continues to be verified to a high standard and it will help protect the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (14 Apr 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: Passport Data (14 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: From 1 January to 11 April the Passport Service has issued a total of 179,885 passport books and 6,598 passport cards. This represents a significant increase in applications for passport books compared to the same period last year. The target turnaround period of ten days applies to those applications submitted in person at the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork and through the An Post...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts Data (14 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: No Statutory Instruments have been signed by me from 1 January 2016 to date and there are no State Boards operating under the aegis of my Department. Table 1 outlines contracts which have been entered into by my Department in 2016 to date. A number of the contracts were tendered for competitively in 2015 with final agreement and signature of contracts occurring in 2016. Table 2 outlines...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UK Referendum on EU Membership (14 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 626, 629, 632 and 639 together. I travelled to London last week to meet with UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, for contacts with the opposition Labour Party, to meet members of the Irish community and to engage with Irish community media in the UK. The main reason for my visit to London was to undertake a series of meetings and consultations in relation to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (14 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Turkey has a key role to play if the current Migration crisis is to be resolved, since the majority of migrants currently entering the EU transit 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 discussions at the European Council were...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (14 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I have made clear my view that the peace process in the Middle East is currently at a standstill, and that the international community needs to do more to attempt to break this deadlock. The violent events in recent months have clearly demonstrated the risks of the continued political vacuum. I note with concern the statement of 24 March to the Security Council by the UN Special Coordinator...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (14 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 630 and 650 together. I welcome the call by UN Special Envoy de Mistura for a resumption of the Geneva III talks on Friday 15 April, and in particular his focus on achieving a political transition. This remains the core issue in the conflict and no sustainable peace can be achieved without agreement on political change in Syria. I will be discussing the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (14 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Government remains committed to the important work in implementing the Fresh Start Agreement and continues to work closely with all relevant stakeholders in this regard. I discussed the good progress made on these matters with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, at the end of March. We look forward to building on that progress at the next Fresh Start Agreement...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (14 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 633 and 636 together. My Department granted permission for landings by foreign military aircraft at Shannon Airport on 541 occasions in 2013; 741 in 2014; and 647 in 2015. Permission was granted in respect of requests from the following countries: Argentina Bahrain Belgium Canada China Croatia Egypt France Germany Israel Italy Kazakhstan Lebanon Libya Malaysia...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (14 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Interpretative Notice on Indications of Origin, published by the European Commission on 12 November, provides guidance to importers and retailers on how EU rules on place of origin labelling should be applied in the specific case of the occupied Palestinian territory. It does not alter or extend existing EU rules that were already in force. As I have indicated previously, therefore,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: State Properties Data (14 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My Department does not own any State properties or land. Any properties occupied by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in the State are rented and discharged by the Office of Public Works. There are no State Agencies or bodies under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications Data (14 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 637 and 638 together. The target turnaround time for properly completed passport applications submitted in person at the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork and through the An Post Passport Express service is ten working days. All applications which were submitted in person at the Passport Offices so far this year have met the guideline turnaround times. Due...