Results 16,261-16,280 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Remuneration (24 Sep 2015)

Charles Flanagan: No bonus remuneration has been paid to staff in my Department to date in 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (24 Sep 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 177 together. The Government has appointed Mr. Damien Cole, former Ambassador to Vietnam, as Ireland’s next Ambassador to Egypt. Mr. Cole has made an initial round of calls in Cairo and he will present his credentials shortly. Until then, our Embassy in Cairo will be headed by the Deputy Head of Mission acting as Chargé d’Affaires,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (24 Sep 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The last Knesset in Israel saw a number of bills proposed to restrict or hamper the activities of NGOs working in the areas of justice and human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory. These proposals for the most part were unsuccessful. The formation this year of a more nationalist government in Israel, in which some of the proponents of those restrictive measures are now holding...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Motion (23 Sep 2015)

Charles Flanagan: With the consent of the House-----

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Motion (23 Sep 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Thank you, a Leas-Chathaoirligh. I welcome the opportunity to attend the Seanad. The significance of the Seanad's interest in this matter is not in doubt, particularly having regard to the fact that this is probably the first substantive debate in the Seanad this session. I concur with Senator Ó Murchú when he says that perhaps this is an issue that might be the subject of more...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Motion (23 Sep 2015)

Charles Flanagan: It is up to the PSNI to follow the evidence. This is not a matter for politics or politicians; it is a matter for the forces of law and order within the jurisdiction. The associated issue of criminality has been raised by many of the parties as an issue of serious concern that must be addressed at the talks. All politicians on this island, whether associated with a political party or not,...

Seanad: Northern Ireland Issues: Motion (23 Sep 2015)

Charles Flanagan: -----to the matter of organised crime, and racketeering and criminality and smuggling of a type that this House debated some time ago. On the question of cross-Border crime, there is already very strong North-South co-operation involving the police and other relevant agencies from both jurisdictions. Next week the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, and the Northern...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (23 Sep 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Passports Act, 2008 (the Act) provides, among other things, that only Irish citizens are entitled to be issued with Irish passports. Each application received by the Passport Service must, therefore, demonstrate that person’s entitlement to Irish citizenship before a passport can issue to him/her. The child in question was born in the State in 2008. Her entitlement to Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Migrant Issues (23 Sep 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The plight of refugees fleeing conflict and upheaval in the EU’s southern and eastern neighbourhoods is of deep concern to us all, and one demanding a comprehensive and coordinated response from the EU. Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Ministers have primary responsibility for matters related to immigration/asylum and refugees, into and within the EU. In April this year, the Foreign...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (23 Sep 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: Immigration Policy (23 Sep 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The plight of refugees fleeing conflict and upheaval in the EU’s southern and eastern neighbourhoods is of deep concern to us all, and one demanding a comprehensive and coordinated response from the EU. Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Ministers have primary responsibility for matters related to immigration\asylum and refugees, into and within the EU. In April this year, the Foreign...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (23 Sep 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Rising tensions and continual violence in varying degrees in occupied East Jerusalem have been matters of serious concern for over a year now. These concerns have been expressed by the European Union in Conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council, by the UN Security Council and by moderate Arab leaders, including King Abdullah of Jordan who retains a special role in relation to the Holy...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Funding (23 Sep 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I can confirm that my Department has received a request from Sligo County Council in relation to the visit by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. This request is receiving attention and will of course be considered on its own merits.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Representations (22 Sep 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Egyptian authorities are in no doubt about our position and we are keeping channels of communication with them open and sustained. I have had numerous conversations and meetings with my Egyptian counterpart, with other high level figures in the Egyptian system and with the Egyptian Ambassador here in Dublin at which I have raised my continuing concerns about this case. This engagement...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (22 Sep 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1159, 1160, 1162 and 1174 together. I propose to take Questions 1159, 1160, 1162 and 1174 together. The Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme, which is at the heart of our foreign policy. “One World, One Future” our policy for international development, sets out our vision for a sustainable and just...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Representations (22 Sep 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1161 and 1163 together. The Embassy of Ireland in Singapore, which is accredited to the Philippines, as well as the Honorary Consulate General in Manila and the Consular Assistance Unit of my Department in Dublin have provided ongoing assistance to this citizen and their family since July 2013. This assistance has included providing a list of lawyers; making...

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

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the reports referred to by the Deputy. When I met with the Colombian Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Patti Londoño, in Dublin on 18 June 2015 I raised the human rights situation in Colombia with her, emphasising the importance Ireland places on protecting trades unionists, human rights defenders, journalists and others. I also raised a number of specific cases with...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (22 Sep 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I reported on my meetings with Mr. Larijani in my reply to the Deputy’s Question no 637 on 16 July.Following the successful achievement of an agreement with Iran to end the long running concerns about its nuclear programme, I am cautiously hopeful that this very welcome achievement may in due course lead to a broader improvement in relations with Iran. There remain significant...

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

Charles Flanagan: The Government follows closely reports of human rights violations against Falun Gong practitioners, including reported cases of organ harvesting. Human rights issues are discussed on a regular basis with the Chinese authorities during both bilateral and multilateral meetings, including during the visit of Premier Li Keqiang to Ireland in May 2015. Through the formal framework of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (22 Sep 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Last month I launched a new guide to completing the passport application form. The photo guidelines page is a separate document. The Passport Service is currently redesigning the passport photo guidelines to provide greater clarity as well as to reflect the diversity of Irish citizens. These will soon be available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.