Results 16,181-16,200 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 893 and 906 together. There are currently five countries which have Candidate Status, including four in the Western Balkans – Turkey, Montenegro, Serbia, Macedonia, and Albania. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are potential candidate countries. Ireland has long been a supporter of Enlargement, which is a conditional process: the European Commission...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 894 and 899 together. Ireland and its EU partners strongly endorse the efforts of the United Nations to renew peace negotiations based on the 2012 Geneva communique principles, in particular the ending of violence, the formation of a transitional governing body with full executive powers and a constitutional reform process which would protect...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 895 and 896 together. Together with our EU partners, I fully support the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions to address the threat posed to international peace and security by the ISIS group, consistent with international law. In this context, Security Council Resolution 2170 (2014) recalled that “widespread or systematic attacks against...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The brutal activities of Boko Haram continue to represent a serious threat to the peace and security of Nigeria, and to the wider region. They also involve the clear and persistent abuse of human rights, especially of women and girls. The abduction in April 2014 of more than 200 schoolgirls from Chibok appalled the world. It has been one of a number of attacks on defenceless young people,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: There is no doubt that the continuing effects of the economic and fiscal crisis, combined with the ongoing challenges of globalisation and demographic change, have had consequences for public confidence in EU institutions – as is also the case for national institutions in many countries. This in turn has led to some rise in support for those who are sceptical towards or are in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (3 Nov 2015)

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: Trade Strategy (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: As previously stated, the advancement of Ireland’s trade, tourism, investment and education promotion objectives is a central aspect of Ireland’s foreign policy and of the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and its Embassy network. While the majority of Irish services and merchandise exports go to Europe and the US and we must continue to cultivate these...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukrainian Conflict (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The EU is at the forefront of international efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. The key to resolving the conflict remains the comprehensive implementation of the Minsk Agreements. This requires a genuine and complete ceasefire, the removal of heavy weapons and progress on the political track, including arrangements for local elections in eastern Ukraine, the withdrawal of all...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Significant resources in Cairo and in Dublin continue to be deployed in the provision of comprehensive consular assistance to this citizen. The key focus of our extensive engagement on this complex and sensitive case remains securing this citizen’s best interests in so far as we can, working to see him released by the Egyptian authorities at the earliest possible opportunity and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Career Breaks (3 Nov 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Officers are granted career breaks and re-instated following career breaks as per the terms and conditions of Department Of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 4/13 Career Break Scheme in the Civil Service. This Circular revoked and replaced earlier provisions set out in Circular 18/1998 -Special Leave without pay for career breaks, LP 3/3/2008 - Special leave without pay for career...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (22 Oct 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Our objectives in this case are twofold: Firstly to see this citizen released by the Egyptian authorities so that he can return to his family and his studies in Ireland, and secondly to provide consular support for his welfare while he remains in detention. The considered approach and sustained action that has been taken by the Government has been to further these objectives, and most...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (22 Oct 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The process of recruiting locally-employed staff for Irish Embassies is managed locally by each Mission. These positions are generally advertised, including on the relevant Embassy’s website. A link to these websites can be found at . Diplomatic staff are recruited in Ireland through a competitive process administered by the Public Appointments Service. These vacancies are also...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (22 Oct 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 309 and 319 to 322, inclusive, together. Following the request by the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Cameron, I and my colleague Minister of State Sherlock, together with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, facilitated a return of all the five main parties in Northern Ireland to round table talks. These talks resumed in round table format on 21...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (22 Oct 2015)

Charles Flanagan: It is the norm internationally to provide passports of a ten year standard period of validity to all adults. A reduced term of validity for children’s passports is necessary as their appearance can change significantly within a short period of years, which can lead to uncertainty as to the identity of the passport holder. However this is not generally the case for adults of any age....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (22 Oct 2015)

Charles Flanagan: We have all been shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic human cost of the migration crisis – which continues to develop dramatically. Such is the scale, complexity and evolving nature of the crisis, that identifying and implementing workable solutions is a challenge for us all. While some other EU partners and neighbouring States have had to face disproportionate pressures, all...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (22 Oct 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Middle East Peace Process (MEPP) features regularly on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council. It was discussed in detail at the Council’s meeting on 20 July. It was also discussed by Ministers at their informal, or Gymnich, meeting last month in Luxembourg. The Council Conclusions adopted and published at the July Council meeting were wide ranging. They reiterated the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (22 Oct 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The clearly deteriorating security situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, in particular around East Jerusalem, is a matter of very great concern to me, as it is to the wider international community. The visit to the region this week by the UN Secretary General underlines the depth of this concern. While I appreciate the frustration of those who see no political end in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (22 Oct 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland, like our EU partners, has a strong and unequivocal opposition to the death penalty at all times and in all circumstances and accordingly seeks its universal abolition. The reports of the execution of persons who committed crimes as minors by the Islamic Republic of Iran are deeply worrying and I echo the comments made by The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Summary Executions,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (22 Oct 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The promotion and protection of the rights of LGBTI individuals is a key priority for Ireland in our international human rights advocacy, including our engagement at the UN Human Rights Council, at EU meetings and through our diplomatic network. Ireland attaches importance to combating all forms of discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity and we strongly believe that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Shannon Airport Facilities (22 Oct 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 317 and 318 together. 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 military aircraft, including US aircraft, to land at Irish airports are governed by...