Results 16,281-16,300 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Nuclear Disarmament Initiative (22 Sep 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland has long been a leading voice in the field of nuclear disarmament, since our introduction of the ‘Irish Resolutions’ at the UN in the late fifties which led to the negotiation of the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). I addressed the NPT Review Conference on its opening day on the 27th of April in New York this year in order to highlight...

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

Charles Flanagan: It is the norm internationally to provide passports of a ten year standard 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. For these...

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

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1170, 1172 and 1185 together. The world is facing unprecedented levels of humanitarian crisis, driven by conflict, chronic instability, and economic and environmental shocks. There are now more than 59 million people globally who have been displaced, more than at any time since the Second World War. Ireland is firmly committed to responding to the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (22 Sep 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I refer to the answer, that follows, which I gave to this House on 9 July 2015. Ireland fully supports the removal of the terrorist threat posed by the ISIS group, consistent with international law. Airstrikes have been conducted against ISIS in Iraq and Syria for a number of months. It is for individual States to determine in what way they might best contribute to the concerted...

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

Charles Flanagan: Since the beginning of 2015, I have discussed conflicts in the Middle East and Africa with my EU colleagues at the Foreign Affairs Council in January, February, April, May, June and July and at the Informal EU Foreign Ministers meeting in September. I also travelled to the Middle East in February, visiting Lebanon, and meeting Israeli and Palestinian politicians to discuss regional...

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

Charles Flanagan: There is a field on the hard data page of the Irish passport to record the place of birth of the holder. The county of birth is recorded for citizens born on the island of Ireland and the country of birth is inserted for citizens born abroad. International Civil Aviation Organisation regulations do not provide for the insertion of details of a “home town or village” on passports.

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

Charles Flanagan: On 6 July I met the Polish Minister for Foreign Affairs Grzegorz Schetyna in Dublin for discussions on a range of bilateral and foreign policy issues. We meet frequently at meetings of EU Foreign Ministers, including at the monthly meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council.

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

Charles Flanagan: Although I have no immediate plans to meet bi-laterally with the Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign and European Affairs Minister, Ms Vesna Pusiæ, we meet frequently at meetings of EU Foreign Ministers, including at the monthly meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Conflict Resolution (22 Sep 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1178 and 1179 together. The protection of all minorities in Syria and Iraq is central to the Government’s efforts and policies internationally on both Syria and Iraq. Ireland has consistently pressed for effective action to protect the rights of all minorities in international fora, including the EU and UN. I highlighted this issue in my previous...

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

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1180 to 1183, inclusive, together. I, together with my colleague Minister of State Sherlock, have been working closely with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the five main political parties with a view to finding a way through the current serious political impasse which is impacting on the operation of the devolved Institutions of the Good Friday...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (22 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: Immigration Policy (22 Sep 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The plight of refugees fleeing conflict and upheaval in the EU’s southern and eastern neighbourhoods is of deep concern, and one demanding a comprehensive and coordinated response from the EU. Within the EU, Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Ministers have primary responsibility for matters related to immigration\asylum and refugees. The agenda for the next Foreign Affairs Council has...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Functions (22 Sep 2015)

Charles Flanagan: As is the practice in all Government Departments, my Department has in place an internal audit function which reports directly to the Secretary General. The function is staffed with appropriately qualified personnel and adheres to the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing. The internal audit work plan is approved by the Secretary General and is also...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts Data (22 Sep 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two Votes, Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation). It has not been possible to compile the requested information in the time available. I have asked my officials to provide the requested information directly to the Deputy as soon as it is collated.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Contracts Data (22 Sep 2015)

Charles Flanagan: My Department does not pay fees or subventions to private for-profit companies to provide public services.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Programmes (16 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The mission of my Department is to serve the Irish people, to promote their values and advance their prosperity abroad, and to provide the Government with the capabilities, analysis and influence to ensure that Ireland derives the maximum benefit from all areas of its external engagement. My Department’s Statement of Strategy for 2015-2017 outlines how we intend to achieve our high...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (16 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Government follows closely reports of human rights violations against Falun Gong practitioners, including reported cases of organ harvesting, and is concerned about the situation. Human rights issues are discussed regularly with the Chinese authorities during both bilateral and multilateral meetings, including during the recent visit of Premier Li Keqiang to Ireland. Through the formal...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (16 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 610 and 611 together. The Government fully supports the all-party Dáil motions of July 2008 and May 2011 urging the British Government to allow access by an independent international judicial figure to all original documents in their possession relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. I have raised this issue with the British Government on a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (16 Jul 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 combatting 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: Middle East Issues (16 Jul 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 613 and 614 together. The discussion on the MEPP begun at the Foreign Affairs Council in May, which I expect will continue at the July Council next week, is considering the broad spectrum of the EU’s engagement on the issue, of which Gaza is one part. In the longer perspective, Ireland has consistently acted to keep in front of the Council the need...