Results 15,961-15,980 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (16 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: In discussions with all British ministers, I always stress the particular value we attach to the UK’s membership of the European Union. That was the case when I last met Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond in London on 23 November. I explained to him why the UK’s place in the EU matters as much as it does to us and outlined our determination to be as helpful as we can be in the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (16 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The scale of the migration challenge facing the international community is enormous. The conflict in Syria - the biggest driver behind this year’s migrant flows - has led to the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. But the problem is bigger than Syria. An estimated 60 million displaced people worldwide are on the move, the highest since World War II. They are coming not just...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (16 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 146 together. The world now faces unprecedented levels of humanitarian crisis, driven by conflict, chronic instability, and economic and environmental shocks. Globally, there are now more than 59 million people displaced, more than at any time since the Second World War. Ireland is firmly committed to responding to the humanitarian needs of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Death Penalty (15 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland has a longstanding policy of strong and unequivocal opposition to the death penalty at all times and in all circumstances, and we are actively engaged in EU and international efforts to secure its universal abolition. Along with our EU partners, Ireland actively supports UN resolutions on the death penalty at the Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly. We also support EU...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Staff (15 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The security and safety of staff working in Ireland’s missions abroad is a key priority for my Department. In 2014, a dedicated Security Unit was established within my Department to identify and regularly assess the security challenges facing our Missions overseas. This Unit draws on a network of security contacts, both nationally and internationally, and works closely with An...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (15 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I discussed the threat posed by terrorist groups operating in Syria to the peoples and States of the Middle East region and the European Union and the need for coordinated international action with Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond in London on 23 November. Ireland fully supports the removal of the threat to international peace and security posed by the Daesh group, consistent with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (15 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland fully supports the removal of the threat to international peace and security posed by the Daesh, group, consistent with international law. The recent attacks in Paris, Tunisia, Lebanon and elsewhere, including those in which Irish citizens have been murdered and wounded, show that Daesh’s terrorist crimes are an international and indiscriminate phenomenon which does not respect...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (15 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 492 and 501 together. The Government very much regrets that the Fresh Start Agreement did not, in the end, include agreement on the implementation of provisions of the Stormont House Agreement dealing with the legacy of the past. We share the deep disappointment of the victims and survivors of the Troubles and their families. It was not the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Properties (15 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: All commitments in relation to the rental of properties in the State occupied by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including ground rent where applicable, are discharged by the Office of Public Works.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (15 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 494 and 503 together. Ireland fully supports the removal of the threat to international peace and security posed by the Daesh, group, consistent with international law. The recent attacks in Paris, Tunisia, Lebanon and elsewhere, including those in which Irish citizens have been murdered and wounded, show that Daesh’s terrorist crimes are an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (15 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 495, 496 and 504 together. Since the beginning of the current disturbances in the occupied Palestinian territory, I have stressed that any necessary security response by Israeli authorities needed to be both restrained and proportionate. It is essential to reduce tensions, and not to increase the cycle of violence. Other international voices have repeated...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (15 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 497 and 502 together. The human rights situation in Iran remains a matter of serious concern. This includes freedom of expression and assembly, and conditions in detention. There are concerns in particular about the treatment of some religious and ethnic minorities, political activists, journalists and bloggers, and human rights defenders. Human rights issues...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (15 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I have not discussed this matter with President Hollande. Ireland fully supports the removal of the threat to international peace and security posed by the Daesh, group, consistent with international law. The recent attacks in Paris, Tunisia, Lebanon and elsewhere, including those in which Irish citizens have been murdered and wounded, show that Daesh’s terrorist crimes are an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Economic Partnership Agreements (15 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Economic Partnership Agreements between the EU and its Member States and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States combine both trade and development provisions. The mandate for their negotiation derives from the Cotonou Agreement of 2000, between the EU and the ACP states. Their central objective is the reduction and eventual eradication of poverty, consistent with the objectives of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (15 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the abduction in the Douma suburb of Damascus by unknown gunmen on 9 December 2013 of several distinguished human rights activists associated with the Syrian Violations Documentation Centre, including its founder and human rights lawyer, Razan Zaitouneh. It remains unclear who was responsible for these abductions. We urge the abductors of these activists, as well as those...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (15 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Migration crisis has dominated the EU agenda for much of 2015. There have been three special European Council meetings to address Migration while Justice and Home Affairs Ministers have had five special meetings to address the crisis. I and my colleagues in the Foreign Affairs Council have also grappled with the issues at length. In June, the Foreign Affairs Council launched...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (15 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I visited the United Arab Emirates on the 7thand 8thof December (arriving there late on December 6th). I held a number of meetings with senior Emirati officials. These were: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed AL Nahyan, Minister for Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Human Rights Issues (10 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Senator Zappone for raising this important issue. I assure her and the House that the objectives on the part of the Government in this case are two-fold: first, to see the release of Mr. Ibrahim Halawa by the Egyptian authorities so that he can return to his family and his studies in Dublin; and, second, to provide consular support for his health and welfare while he remains in...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Human Rights Issues (10 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to clarify a few points. On behalf of the Irish Government, I wish to assure the Senator and this House that we fully support all and any applications that have been made to the court regarding bail and the Presidential decree 140. Ultimately we do not have a final say in the judgment. I am sure the Senator will agree this is a matter exclusively under the jurisdiction and remit of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Shannon Airport Facilities (10 Dec 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952 gives the Minister for Foreign Affairs primary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland.Arrangements under which permission is granted for foreign military aircraft to land at Irish airports are governed by strict conditions, including the stipulation that the aircraft concerned must be...