Results 15,861-15,880 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (13 Jan 2016)

Charles Flanagan: All missions have systems for out-of-hours contact. Public contact details for Irish diplomatic and consular missions abroad are listed on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website and are also available in various publications, such as for example the Institute of Public Administration yearbook. In addition, each Mission (Embassies and Consulates General) has its own website...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passports Data (13 Jan 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Passport Service has issued 10,570 passports on average per year between 2011 and 2015 to applicants aged 75 years or over. Taking this average and given the passport fee of €80, the estimated cost of providing passports to persons in this age category without charging a fee would be €845,600 per year.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (13 Jan 2016)

Charles Flanagan: At present, Ireland’s diplomatic network includes 61 Embassies, 7 multilateral missions, 11 Consulates General and one Representative office. The scale and presence of the network is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis. Any decision to adjust the State’s external representation, including the opening of missions, will have regard to national priorities and available...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (13 Jan 2016)

Charles Flanagan: I meet regularly with my foreign minister colleagues at the monthly Foreign Affairs Council meetings including with my Italian counterpart with whom I have excellent working relations. I have no immediate plans to meet the Italian Minister outside the Council framework.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation Expenditure (13 Jan 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The work of our missions 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 include: - Promoting Ireland as a source of high-quality exports, a destination for investment, research, study and tourism to targeted audiences and contacts. -...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (13 Jan 2016)

Charles Flanagan: The Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme, and to its place at the heart of our foreign policy. “One World, One Future”, our policy for international development, clearly articulates the Government’s commitment to the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Product (GNP) for Official Development Assistance (ODA) and to making...

Other Questions: Human Rights Issues (17 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I acknowledge what Deputy Paul Murphy has said - that this is ultimately an issue which will not be decided here in Dublin by the Irish authorities, but in Cairo by the Egyptian authorities. However, I wish to assure the House that many of the suggestions that have been put forward are well meant and are taken having regard to the need to ensure the welfare and health of the citizen. As...

Other Questions: EU Issues (17 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Although the date is not yet known, Prime Minister Cameron has confirmed that before the end of 2017 a referendum will be held in the United Kingdom regarding their continued membership of the EU. The final decision on the matter, therefore, lies with the UK electorate. As independent studies have shown, a UK exit from the EU has the potential to be most damaging for Ireland. The...

Other Questions: EU Issues (17 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The positive impact the EU has had in Northern Ireland is often overlooked and forgotten. That is why I have been very clear - most recently in a speech at Queen's University in Belfast - in explaining why I think a UK withdrawal from the EU would be bad for Northern Ireland. For a start, the EU has helped to foster peace and reconciliation, and has provided a framework for co-operation...

Other Questions: Human Rights Issues (17 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Department's approach to this case is focused on achieving a positive outcome at the earliest time possible for this citizen. That strategy is based on two key objectives: first, to see this citizen released by the Egyptian authorities in order that he can return to his family and tudies in Ireland and, second, to provide consular support for his welfare while he remains in detention....

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (17 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Ending the catastrophe which has befallen Syria and imposed enormous burdens on the states neighbouring Syria is critical to the stability of the Middle East region and the security and safety of the Syrian people and their neighbours. This has been a key priority for Ireland and its EU partners in recent years. I welcome the announcements of 30 October and 14 November by international...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (17 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I agree with the Deputy, particularly on the horrific acts of terrorism perpetrated by Daesh in Syria and across the region. It is imperative that appropriate action be taken. On the situation in the wider region, the Deputy will agree that ending the Syrian conflict is essential to the stabilisation of the Middle East region, ending the threat of terrorism and the humanitarian and security...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (17 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: By the end of the year Ireland will have pledged support for the Syrian people in excess of €42 million. This is Irish Aid’s largest response to a single crisis in recent years. Ireland’s funding is channelled via the United Nations, the Red Cross and our NGOs in the region. The money is expended on meeting priority needs in the area, including for food, water,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Human Rights Issues (17 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I note the debate in the European Parliament. The Deputy will be aware that I have specifically raised this case through discussion with High Representative Mogherini on a number of occasions. She has assured me that the case of the Irish citizen will continue to remain high on the European Union's bilateral agenda with Egypt until his release. The European Union remains supportive of our...

Other Questions: Middle East Issues (17 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Multiple conflicts across the Middle East region have necessarily occupied much international attention in recent times. These include the conflict in Syria and the rise of Daesh and their impact on Europe. However, I continue to stress at EU and international levels the importance of retaining a focus on the continuing Israel–Palestine dispute. I am aware of the case referred to...

Other Questions: Middle East Issues (17 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I assure the Deputy that my officials and I will keep a very close eye on this case and monitor events and developments in respect of it. I condemn attacks on innocent people and any use of force that results in avoidable injuries or death. Once again, I call for an end to attacks and for calm and responsible leadership. Any necessary security measures should be proportionate and...

Other Questions: Middle East Issues (17 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: We need to focus on the current causes of violent activity and to play our part, along with our EU colleagues, in ensuring the Middle East peace process gets back on track. The direct talks broke down at the start of 2014 and there is no immediate prospect of a resumption. There is a considerable lack of trust in the intentions of each party, in addition to reluctance on the Israeli side to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (17 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The President's executive action is now the subject of court proceedings and I do not have a date on which this matter will be decided. I assure the Deputy that this is a matter of priority on the part of the Government. I intend visiting the United States in early January and I will raise this issue again. It is difficult to put precise figures on the exact number of undocumented Irish...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (17 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of and have raised the matter of the waivers for three-year and ten-year travel bans in relation to US visa applications for Irish undocumented who have overstayed their visa in the United States. At my request, the Secretary General of my Department wrote to the US ambassador earlier this year requesting that he further explore the question of such waivers. The US Embassy...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Human Rights Issues (17 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the hearing that took place in Egypt on 15 December concerning this citizen. Officials from our embassy in Cairo attended this hearing, as they have all previous ones, and met directly both with members of this citizen's family and with his Egyptian legal team who represent him in court. At this most recent hearing, the trial was adjourned for five days until Saturday, 19...