Results 16,701-16,720 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Export Trade Council (22 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: My Department has responsibility for the Export Trade Council (ETC), which I chair, and which works to strengthen co-operation and co-ordination across all Government Departments and State agencies, which are involved in the promotion and development of trade, tourism, investment and education. The ETC, which also includes representation from the private sector, also oversees the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (22 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Following the launch of the Government Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy, a list of 27 priority markets was identified based on the experience and expertise of stakeholders and State agencies on the ground. This was formally adopted at the first meeting of the Foreign Trade Council, now the Export Trade Council (ETC), on 27 October 2010. Local Market Teams were established in each...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Global Economic Forum (22 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: There have been three Global Irish Economic Forums held to date in 2009, 2011 and 2013. The fourth Global Irish Economic Forum will take place from 19 – 21 November, 2015. The first Forum in 2009 was convened by the previous Government in response to the economic crisis that the country was facing. This Forum developed a new and more strategic level of engagement with the most...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Cross-Border Co-operation (22 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Stormont House Agreement is a significant achievement that has the potential to advance genuine reconciliation between divided communities and progress economic prosperity for all in Northern Ireland and across this island. One of the commitments we made at Stormont House last December was to agree a report on new priorities for North-South co-operation. At the North South Ministerial...

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

Charles Flanagan: Irish officials in Bangkok are in the process of setting up a permanent Embassy. However, in the interim period, passport queries should be directed to the offices of the Honorary Consuls of Ireland in Bangkok and Phuket. An APS2 (passport application) form should be obtained from the office of the nearest Honorary Consul.Contact details for the Honorary Consuls in Thailand may be found on...

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

Charles Flanagan: The Passport Service operates on the presumption that an adult making an application to the Passport Office has the capacity to do so. In the rare occurrence that the Passport Service is informed to the contrary, the application is reviewed in accordance with the provisions of S6 (4) of the Passports Act 2008. Section 6 (4) states, “An application for the issue of a passport to a...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: One of the most difficult features of the crisis in Syria is that many of those who are most in need are beyond the reach of humanitarian workers. Vulnerable groups, such as women and children and the elderly, are particularly affected. Ireland continues to advocate for the full implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions on humanitarian access in Syria. Opposition-controlled...

Other Questions: Easter Rising Commemorations (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Government launched the Ireland 2016 commemorative programme on 31 March. The programme features seven strands, including a global and diaspora programme. Through its embassy and consulate network, my Department has been engaging, and will continue to engage, with the Irish diaspora, community groups and our international partners throughout the world to plan and support events...

Other Questions: Easter Rising Commemorations (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: It is unlikely there will be representatives of foreign states at our national events in Dublin. A wide range of international events from Paris to Brasilia and from Boston to Buenos Aires are being planned. Deputy Smith spoke of the regions. In the United States, where five of the seven signatories of the Proclamation spent periods of time, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing...

Other Questions: Departmental Strategy Statements (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: My Department monitors closely, and on a regular basis, all funds in respect of overseas development aid. With regard to whether I am happy or satisfied, I am neither. However, I am anxious to ensure that all our goals are realised at the earliest opportunity. We are heading towards the fifth budget of this Government and I am anxious that in the course of that budget we have an...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Sean Sherlock, represented Ireland at the international pledging conference for Syria which was held in Kuwait on 31 March. He announced that in 2015 Ireland would provide a further €12 million in humanitarian assistance for those suffering as a result of the conflict. In total, the international community pledged some €3.5 billion...

Other Questions: Military Aircraft Landings (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: In regard to the inspection of military aircraft, in accordance with international practice, foreign military aircraft passing through Ireland with the permission of the Government are not subject to routine searches or inspections. The principal of sovereign immunity applies automatically to foreign state or military aircraft, in the same way that it applies to Irish State or military...

Other Questions: Departmental Strategy Statements (21 Apr 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 2015-17, laid before this House on 14 April, outlines how we...

Other Questions: Departmental Strategy Statements (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: We do not intend to make any changes to the One-China policy. I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to work closely with my colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the State agencies to lead the Export Trade Council to maximise the economic benefits of our relationship with China and other states in the region. On the matter of overseas aid, in the...

Other Questions: Military Aircraft Landings (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The issue of the apparent deception of the public is a recurring theme in respect of Question Time and Deputy Wallace. Could I make it clear to him that there is no question of deceiving the public? Deputy Wallace will be completely familiar with the arrangements for authorising the landing of US military aircraft at Irish airports, namely, the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft)...

Other Questions: Military Aircraft Landings (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Deputy Wallace is confusing the matter of overflight with that of inspection of military aircraft. Indeed, he will be aware that-----

Other Questions: Military Aircraft Landings (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Deputy Wallace will be aware-----

Other Questions: Conflict Resolution (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: It is part of the peace process, on a micro level.

Other Questions: Conflict Resolution (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: A white coat is sounds better than a white flag. Coming from a man who wears the white jersey most Sundays, I suppose a white coat is entirely appropriate for a Kildare. I thank Deputy Lawlor for his question. I acknowledge the work of the many NGOs in this area and people from the religious sector, many of whom have enhanced the reputation of Ireland overseas, particularly in Africa,...

Other Questions: Military Aircraft Landings (21 Apr 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I can confirm that permission was granted by my Department for the landing of these two aircraft at Shannon Airport subject to the strict conditions which apply to all foreign military aircraft. These include stipulations that the aircraft must be unarmed, carry no arms, ammunition or explosives and must not engage in intelligence gathering and that the flights in question must not form part...