Results 15,761-15,780 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

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

Charles Flanagan: The Department is responsible for two Votes – Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation). Monthly profiles for expenditure are in place in my Department and performance against profile is reported regularly to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and is published as part of the Monthly Exchequer Statement. The Monthly Exchequer Statement for...

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

Charles Flanagan: Ireland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur or who the victims are. We attach great importance to combating all forms of discrimination based on religion or belief and incitement to religious hatred. We firmly believe in tolerance, non-discrimination, freedom of expression, freedom of thought, conscience, religion...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (14 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) provides funding to not-for-profit organisations and projects to support Irish communities overseas and to facilitate the development of more strategic links between Ireland and the global Irish. The focus of the Emigrant Support Programme is on initiatives that: - address the needs of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable Irish emigrants; - enhance...

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

Charles Flanagan: After over a year of fighting, a UN-brokered cease-fire came into effect in Yemen on 10 April. The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, has urged all parties to work to ensure that the terms and conditions of the truce are fully respected. Importantly, these include commitments for the unhindered access for humanitarian supplies and personnel to all parts of Yemen. Though...

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

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 644 and 651 together. Over five years since the start of the conflict, the suffering of the Syrian people has become a defining crisis of this generation. More than 260,000 people have been killed and some 13.5 million people within Syria are in need of humanitarian assistance. The UN estimates that over 4.8 million Syrians have fled to neighbouring...

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

Charles Flanagan: Ireland has a strong track record in addressing gender equality through its foreign policy and development cooperation programme, and remains fully committed to combating all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls. Through our international engagement on human rights at the United Nations Human Rights Council and the Third Committee of the General Assembly, Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Guiding Principles (14 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The United Nations celebrated its 70th anniversary last year, and like any organisation of that age, there are a number of structures, systems and procedures that need to be updated to better reflect the diverse and complex needs of the 21st century. There is a growing recognition that despite its considerable achievements and successes, there have also been a number of serious failures....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (14 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland does not have an Embassy in the Democratic Republic of Congo and therefore we have been working with our partners in the European Union who are closely monitoring the upcoming elections. We have provided significant development assistance to the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Between 2010 and 2015, Ireland provided a total €44.61 million including €15...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: North-South Ministerial Council (14 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The most recent meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in plenary format was held in Armagh on Friday 11 December 2015. This was the 21stPlenary meeting of the NSMC. At the meeting Ministers discussed the Fresh StartAgreement and the work to be undertaken by officials to review North South infrastructure projects. The Council also welcomed the commitment in Fresh Start to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (14 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: Earlier this week the OECD Development Assistance Committee published the 2015 Official Development Assistance (ODA) expenditure levels for all OECD Donors, confirming that the outturn for Ireland’s total ODA expenditure for last year was €647 million. This represents an increase of some €32 million or 5% on the 2014 levels. For 2016, the Government has allocated...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Waiver Programme (14 Apr 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 having experienced the US through the programme over that time. This year, the independent US sponsoring bodies managing the great majority of Irish J1 participants introduced a requirement for citizens of Visa...

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

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the deaths to which the Deputy refers. These incidents are stark reminders that Colombia still faces significant challenges in overcoming decades of violence in order to secure a lasting peace. Ireland condemns unreservedly the killings of all human rights defenders and other civilian activists. We regularly discuss human rights issues in Colombia as part of our bilateral...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (14 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My Department’s Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) provides funding to not-for-profit organisations and projects to support Irish communities overseas and to facilitate the development of more strategic links between Ireland and the global Irish. In 2016 an allocation of €11,595,000 is available for funding under this Programme, matching the funding which was available in 2015....

Nomination of Taoiseach (Resumed) (6 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: It did not take long for the Deputy to revert to type.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (6 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: My Department is providing consular assistance to the Irish citizen involved in this case. In all of our interactions with our Philippines counterparts, we have consistently raised this case and have sought an early appeal date for the individual concerned on humanitarian grounds. I raised this case and our concerns with the most senior representative of the Philippines government,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Application Refusals (6 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Passport Service has a record of receipt of an application dating from 1985 from the person in question. At the time the applicant was advised that only Irish citizens are entitled to be issued with Irish passports. Therefore for the person in question to be issued an Irish passport he must first become an Irish citizen. Citizenship, including through naturalisation, is a matter for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (6 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Government works consistently to achieve a 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 will ensure the security and prosperity of both peoples. I continue to consider carefully whether the recognition by Ireland now of a state...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (6 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: There is no proposal at present, at either Irish or EU level, to ban trade with Israeli settlements. The European Union, however, has a general approach of differentiating the EU’s relationship with Israel from the relationship with the settlements, in line with the conclusions of the Council in December 2012. Ireland has been a strong and consistent advocate of this position. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Arms Trade (6 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The export of military or dual use items from Ireland is licensed by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation under the relevant domestic and European legislation. Under this legislation, items classified as “military goods” from an export control perspective include military goods and technology, as well as components for such items. Licensed exports from Ireland to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (6 Apr 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 612, 616, 617 and 621 together. I have made clear in this House 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...