Results 16,661-16,680 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (14 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I welcome the re-appointment of Theresa Villiers MP as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. As Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, my working relations with Theresa Villiers have been very close and constructive, involving regular and in-depth engagement, in particular in the context of the Stormont House Agreement. I had a constructive telephone conversation with Secretary of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (14 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I made a two day official visit to Switzerland on 6 and 7 May at the invitation of my Swiss counterpart, Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter. The purpose of my visit was to strengthen our relations with Switzerland, particularly by advancing our cooperation on issues of international concern and by supporting our important bilateral economic relations. I believe my visit achieved both of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UK Referendum on EU Membership (14 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I have of course been following very closely the debate in the United Kingdom regarding its relationship with the European Union, along with my Government colleagues. Since last week’s general election in the UK, Prime Minister Cameron has reiterated his commitment to holding a referendum on the country’s EU membership by 2017. While a referendum on the subject will be strictly...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Data Collection Issues (13 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the decision by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in the United States last Thursday regarding the use of section 215 of the Patriot Act to justify bulk domestic telephone data collection. It is now a matter for the US administration and Congress to address the issues raised by that Court decision. To that end, I note that the question of bulk data collection is currently...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UK Referendum on EU Membership (13 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The debate in the United Kingdom regarding its relationship with the European Unionis followed extremely closely by my Department, the Department of the Taoiseach and indeed all government departments. That focus will now only intensify following the recent general election in Britain and Prime Minister Cameron’s commitment to holding a referendum on the country’s EU membership...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Common Security and Defence Policy (12 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland is actively participating in ongoing discussions at EU level on various strands of the EU’s comprehensive strategy regarding the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean. Our primary concern in these deliberations is to prevent further loss of life at sea.The European Council on 23 April did not make a specific commitment to Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) actions...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (12 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The promotion and protection of human rights is a core principle of Ireland's foreign policy and human rights issues in Colombia are a focus for Ireland and for the European Union.Human rights are addressed in detail in the context of the EU-Colombia Human Rights Dialogue. Through this mechanism, which addresses the issues directly with the Colombian authorities and includes input from civil...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Bodies (12 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 519 and 520 together. There are no State Agencies, State Boards or organisations of the type referred to under the aegis of my Department. My Department currently has four bodies, boards, or committees under its aegis. These are: the Emigrant Services Advisory Committee; the Irish Aid Expert Advisory Group; the NGO Standing Committee on Human Rights; and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (12 May 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 children’s appearances change significantly within a short period of years, which can lead to uncertainty regarding 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: Passport Applications Fees (12 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: In 2011 the Government found it necessary in light of the budgetary situation to discontinue the arrangement whereby over 65’s could avail of a reduced passport fee. The cost of exempting those aged 65 and over from passport fees was estimated in 2011 to be €2.4 million per annum in terms of lost revenue and, as the shortfall would have to be met by the taxpayer, I have no...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Arms Trade (12 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy is correct in referring to Ireland’s long track record in the area of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, dating back to the late 1950s, when Ireland’s efforts at the United Nations General Assembly led directly to the negotiation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). I addressed the ninth NPT Review Conference in New York on 27 April in order to...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Public Sector Staff Increment Payments (7 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Details of increments for the years 2008 - 2015 set out in the table. The numbers for 2015 cover the period up to 30thApril 2015. YEAR NUMBER OF INCREMENTS VALUE OF INCREMENTS 2008 761 679,396 2009 739 608,755 2010 694 585,911 2011 630 630,105 2012 533 486,841 2013 447 393,135 2014 305 293,746 2015 126 210,994

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Historical Conflicts (6 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 429 and 434 together. I would refer the Deputies to my most recent reply to a question on this issue which sets out Ireland's position. In the two weeks since my reply, centenary commemorations have been held in many parts of the world, including here in Ireland. Ireland's sympathy and concern was expressed formally by our Ambassador, John Biggar,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (6 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I met Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry in New York on Monday 27 April. I took the opportunity, as I have done on numerous occasions, to discuss this case with him in some detail and to outline Ireland's concerns regarding this case. In our discussion I noted my disappointment that a decision on the application for bail, an application formally supported by the Irish government, had been...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Sovereign Debt (6 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 431 and 438 together. In September 2014, the UN General Assembly was presented with a draft Resolution on the modalities for the implementation of General Assembly Resolution 68/304 on the establishment of a multilateral legal framework for sovereign debt restructuring processes. The main focus of the resolution was the setting up of an ad hoc committee...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Repatriation Assistance (6 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to thank the Deputy for bringing this case to the attention of my Department. An official from the Consular Assistance unit has contacted the husband of the person who is hospitalised abroad. It is my understanding that the patient's Consultant Psychiatrist, based at St Ita's Hospital, is in direct contact with the treating doctors in the UK and that arrangements will be made to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (6 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I am very concerned about the deteriorating situation in Burundi, and condemn the violence of recent days. This has involved a wave of killings, militias acting with impunity, arbitrary arrests, intimidation, closure of media outlets and targeting of human rights defenders. Burundi has experienced recurring violence over the years since its independence in 1962. The signing of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (6 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The concerns over reports of alleged police led human rights abuses against African-Americans in the United States have been acknowledged by the US authorities at the highest levels. In relation to the death of Mr. Freddie Grey in Baltimore, and the reaction to his death, President Obama has highlighted the need to investigate how laws and their policing are implemented, while also...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (6 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Presidential elections were held in Kazakhstan on 26 April and the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan announced preliminary results, with 97.7% of votes favouring the incumbent, President Nursultan Nazarbayev. I would take this opportunity to welcome the fact that the OSCE/ODIHR, at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, deployed an Election Observation...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (6 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: As the Deputy will be aware, since the ETA declaration in 2011 regarding "the definitive cessation of its armed activity", the Government has closely followed developments, including recent proposals from relevant parties. As we have said on many occasions, we continue to encourage all efforts which are aimed at securing a definitive peace in the Basque Country.