Results 16,681-16,700 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Recruitment (6 May 2015)

Charles Flanagan: My Department was granted delegated sanction in February 2015 to manage its staffing resources. Under this sanction, we are in the process of recruiting eight Development Specialists for the Irish Aid programme and fifteen Clerical Officers to fill critical vacancies throughout the Department. We are also taking on two Third Secretaries, the recruitment grade for the diplomatic service,...

Spring Economic Statement (Resumed) (30 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I welcome the opportunity for the House to debate economic policy and the Government’s plans to secure our hard-won economic recovery over the past four years. Since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade ten months ago, I have been directly involved in promoting our country’s trade and export markets, working with embassies, agencies and businesses in Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (30 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean is of great concern to Ireland, and to its EU and Southern partners. Solutions must be found jointly to address a crisis on this scale. On Monday 20 April, I attended a joint meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs and Justice and Home Affairs Councils to discuss migration issues, and in particular the situation in the Mediterranean. At that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (30 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Government is concerned by instances where innocent civilians have been killed by drone attacks. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (commonly referred to as “drones”) are used for both civilian and military purposes. Under international law, there is no prohibition on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles as such. Their use in armed conflict is subject to international humanitarian law. This...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (30 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (commonly referred to as “drones”) are used for both civilian and military purposes. Under international law, there is no explicit prohibition on UAVs. Nevertheless, their use in armed conflict is subject to international humanitarian law. This sets specific requirements in relation to the use of force in armed conflict, including the principles of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Debt Cancellation (30 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Last September, 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 to elaborate a binding debt resolution mechanism. Following...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (29 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Passports Act 2008 requires the passport service, to be satisfied on application, each person who is a guardian of the child has consented to the issuing of a passport to that child, before the passport can be issued. To address this requirement, Section 7 of the passport application form requires all guardians to confirm their consent in writing in the presence of a witness. As advised...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (29 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The international community is responding to the very considerable threat which ISIS poses, not just to the Middle East but to us all. In Ireland’s case, we are working closely with our partners in the EU and through the United Nations to coordinate our efforts and to strengthen the tools at our disposal. A special meeting of the European Council on 30 August 2014 called for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Data (29 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The information requested by the Deputy is in the table. MISSION Mid 2013 Mid 2014 2015 Abu Dhabi 6 Staff posted from HQ 5 locally recruited staff 6 Staff posted from HQ 4 locally recruited staff 6 Staff posted from HQ 4 locally recruited staff Abuja 6 Staff posted from HQ 5 locally recruited staff 6 Staff posted from HQ 5 locally recruited staff 6 Staff posted from HQ 5 locally...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Debt Cancellation (29 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 114 together. Ireland, in common with all other EU Member States, was unable to support the UN General Assembly Resolution last September 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (28 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I share the horror at the recent tragedies in the Mediterranean, and the level of humanitarian crisis across the Middle East and parts of Africa. Instability and conflict across the Horn of Africa, North Africa and the Middle East have led to unprecedented numbers of people being displaced from their homes in the last five years. Almost 1600 migrants are known to have drowned in the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (28 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I participated in the most recent meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers in Luxemburg on 20 April where discussion focused on Libya, the EU’s relations with Latin America and the Caribbean, the situation in Yemen, and the recent negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme. The Council also received a presentation from the High Representative on her intention to carry out a Strategic...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (28 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: This issue was not on the agenda for the Foreign Affairs Council which focused largely on the crisis in Libya, Iran’s nuclear programme and the ongoing crisis in Yemen, amongst others. The Foreign Affairs Council was chaired by HRVP Mogherini with whom I have discussed this case on a number of occasions, most recently on 14 April. HRVP Mogherini continues to assure me of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (28 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of recent media reports. However, in line with diplomatic practice and international law, Ireland does not comment on the consideration of a request for appointment of an Ambassador by another state.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Debt Restructuring (28 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland, in common with all other EU Member States, was unable to support the UN General Assembly Resolution last September 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 establishment of an ad hoc committee to elaborate a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (28 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Passport Express available in over 70 post offices in Northern Ireland and application forms are available in all these Post Offices. In addition many elected public officials also provide them at their constituency offices. It is the policy of the Government to ensure the widest availability of application forms to all sections of the community in Northern Ireland. Therefore the Passport...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (28 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: During my recent visit, I witnessed at first hand the devastating human and physical impact of the 2014 conflict in Gaza. I met with victims of the conflict, including a father who had lost a child. I have also repeatedly condemned the excessive use of military force by Israel in Gaza both during and after the conflict, and also stated clearly that both Israel and Hamas were disregarding the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Remuneration (28 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has planned for this event and has made arrangements to ensure that salary payments normally due on 1 May 2015 will be paid on 30 April 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Shannon Airport Facilities (23 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 146 together. As the Deputy will be aware, permission for foreign military aircraft to land at Irish airports is subject to compliance with strict conditions, including that the aircraft are unarmed, carry no arms, ammunition or explosives, do not engage in intelligence gathering and do not form part of military exercises or operations. In my...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Shannon Airport Facilities (23 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Successive Governments have made overflight and landing facilities available at Shannon Airport to the United States for over 50 years. This period covers many crises and military confrontations and we have never withdrawn or suspended those facilities at any stage during that period. Permission for foreign military aircraft to land at Irish airports is granted subject to strict conditions....