Results 16,081-16,100 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (10 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: My Department has received a request in relation to the reconciliation related costs associated with the visit earlier this year to Sligo by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. However, no decision has yet been made on that request and it continues to receive attention.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Membership (10 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I welcome the publication of this valuable report by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) that was commissioned by the Department of Finance. It has already served to deepen our understanding of the various and complex issues that arise for Ireland in connection with a potential change in the nature of the UK’s relationship with the EU. The findings of the study are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Travel Advice (10 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: It was with great shock and sadness that I learned of the air disaster over the Sinai Peninsula on 31 October, which resulted in the tragic loss of so many lives. On behalf of the people and the Government of Ireland, I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to all Russian people during this difficult time. Travel advice for individual countries worldwide, including the level of caution...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Relocation (5 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Officers in my Department seek internal transfers within the organisation and they are facilitated as part of the regular rotation of staff between missions abroad and HQ. Officers applying for a transfer between this Department and other Departments are advised to seek a “Head to Head” transfer. Regarding transfers to other Government offices outside Dublin, two Executive...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (5 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been providing consular assistance to the family of the Irish citizen through the Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi, the Honorary Consul in Mumbai and the Consular Assistance unit in Dublin, and we are in ongoing direct contact with the family. Upon receipt of the death certificate of the Irish citizen in February, my Department forwarded the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (5 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I am indeed fully aware of this high-profile human rights case. In conjunction with our EU partners in Saudi Arabia, our serious concerns about this case have been conveyed to the Saudi authorities through diplomatic channels. We can have the greatest impact on matters of foreign policy, including human rights, when the 28 EU Member States speak with one voice, as in the case in this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (4 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Passports Act, 2008 provides, among other things, that only Irish citizens are entitled to be issued with Irish passports. Each application received by the Department must, therefore, contain evidence that demonstrates that person’s entitlement to Irish citizenship before a passport can issue. The Supreme Court decision in question dealt with a child born to non-EU parents in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (4 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The question of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) has been the subject of resolutions adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations, as well as its special committee on decolonisation. In its most recent resolution, adopted on 25 June 2015, the committee expressed its regret that, in spite of the widespread international support for negotiation between the two Governments,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (4 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: On 27 October, Ireland joined with the rest of the EU Member States in voting in favour of Cuba’s resolution at the UN General Assembly in New York, which called for the ending of the US economic, commercial and financial embargo on Cuba. In light of the welcome restoration of US-Cuba diplomatic relations earlier this year, the embargo serves no constructive purpose. Ireland, along...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (4 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade attaches a high priority to language proficiency. In accordance with the Official Languages Act 2003 and the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language, my Department is committed toincreasing the number of functional bilingual officials, to promoting the use of the Irish language and to delivering services in Irish. The most recent skills audit of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Funding (4 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: though hardly any of the organisations funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are directly audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General, I am satisfied that, as a general principle, organisations allocated funding under the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s two Votes (Vote 27 – International Co-operation and Vote 28 – Foreign Affairs and Trade)...

Northern Ireland: Statements (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Members for their contributions, all of which will be the subject of careful consideration on my part. I will return to Belfast early tomorrow morning to co-chair the talks as they reach a critical phase. I will take with me a strong message of support from this House - support for the Good Friday Agreement and the need to safeguard its political institutions; support for victims...

Northern Ireland: Statements (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I am pleased to have the opportunity to address the House on the current situation in Northern Ireland. In his statement, the Taoiseach outlined the priority which this Government attaches to peace and stability in Northern Ireland. Work to deliver a reconciled and peaceful Northern Ireland as part of a prosperous and inclusive island of Ireland continues every day across government,...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I again repeat the call for all sides to exercise restraint. The Irish Government and the European Union continue to state clearly that all violence against civilians must end, that both sides should avoid any provocation and that both sides should respect fully the existingstatus quo in respect of holy sites and places. In addition, the European Union is underlining that the lack of a...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Of course, I agree with the Deputy that any response from a security point of view must be proportionate in the circumstances. However, we must also look to the medium and long term. It is important that we reiterate our goal and objective. A negotiated two-state solution remains the objective of Ireland and of the European Union. It is also important that we acknowledge what some...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I will not repeat fully the reply I gave to Priority Question no. 101. I agree it is important that we do everything we can to avoid a further escalation of the situation into a full-scale conflict. The surrounding region offers a salutary lesson of how much worse things could be. It is important in addressing the situation not to focus on the sufferings or shortcomings of one side because...

Other Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware the Deputy’s party is represented at the talks and I wish to acknowledge the contribution of Martin McGuinness and his team in that regard. The current talks process offers an opportunity for all of us, the governments and the political parties, to agree a comprehensive approach which sees us working collectively to achieve a society free from the shadow of paramilitary...

Other Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: As Deputy Crowe rightly points out, the British Government has agreed, at the request of the five Northern Ireland parties, to introduce legislation for the various legacy institutions, as envisaged under the Stormont House Agreement. The Bill will be introduced in the Commons in the coming weeks with a view towards having the institutions established in the course of 2016. However, aspects...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: We will continue to engage with the new Turkish Government on a bilateral basis. I had the opportunity to visit Turkey earlier this year and also through the European Union. I assure the Deputy, lest there be any doubt, that Ireland continues to be a strong supporter of the peace talks between the Turkish Government and the Kurdish Workers' Party. We have been encouraged by the ceasefire...

Other Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Following the request made by the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister, Mr. Cameron, my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Sean Sherlock, and I, together with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Ms Theresa Villiers, facilitated the return of all five main parties in Northern Ireland to round table talks. The talks resumed on 21 September and are still continuing in a...