Results 16,921-16,940 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (26 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has a long-standing working relationship with the Justice for the Forgotten group. It is also in regular and ongoing contact with the Pat Finucane Centre on a range of legacy-related cases. My officials are in contact with the Justice for the Forgotten group with a view to arranging a meeting to discuss the Stormont House Agreement. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (26 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: 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 documents in its possession relating to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. I have raised this issue on several occasions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, MP, including, most...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Syrian Conflict (26 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland continues to support efforts by the EU and the UN to promote a political resolution of the current conflict in both Syria and Iraq. We have repeatedly stressed that only a political solution can achieve a sustainable peace in Syria. We will also continue to address the humanitarian consequences of the conflict and provide urgent assistance and support to the civilian populations...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Syrian Conflict (26 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for her continued engagement on this matter and for raising these issues regularly in the House and beyond. She is right. 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 aid. Many are unable to receive it and many are only receiving it on a sporadic basis. Both the Syrian...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Syrian Conflict (26 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I stress the importance of ensuring an adequate level of humanitarian aid to the region. I acknowledge what the Deputy has said with particular reference to refugees in Lebanon, in Jordan and in the wider region. In December, the United Nations released its 2015 Syria crisis appeal plan, requesting over $8.4 billion to meet the needs of millions of people in Syria and across the region. So...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (26 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The focus of the Government is currently on the effective and expeditious implementation of the Stormont House Agreement. In this context, I represented the Government, together with the Minister of State, Deputy Sean Sherlock, at the first implementation and review meeting of the agreement in Belfast on 30 January last, at which a detailed implementation timeline was agreed. Both the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Peace Process (26 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Deputy Crowe was correct when he said that I had the opportunity to visit Israel, Lebanon and the Palestinian territory from 15 to 19 February. What was striking overall was that increasing instability, in particular arising from the conflict in Syria, is casting a dark shadow over the entire region. In Lebanon, I had the opportunity to meet the UNIFIL force commander, Major General...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Peace Process (26 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I want to see the political process put back on track. In all of those meetings, the emphasis was placed on ensuring there were talks leading towards a two-state solution. The Deputy will be aware that elections are taking place in Israel currently. I hope we will see elections to the Palestinian Authority in the very near future. I refer to what the Deputy said in regard to formal...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Peace Process (26 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I do not disagree with what Deputy Crowe said but I emphasise that my whole approach will be guided by a concern to ensure that the actions of Ireland will make a positive contribution to the achievement of a Palestinian state. We continue to stress, as successive Government have for some time, that a two-state solution is the only solution for the region that will bring about stability and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Ukrainian Conflict (26 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The EU has been at the forefront of international efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, and Ireland has participated actively in shaping the Union’s approach. An agreement was reached in Minsk on 12 February on a new peace deal aimed at ending the ten-month conflict in eastern Ukraine. The declaration agreed in Minsk by Chancellor Merkel, President Hollande, President Putin and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Ukrainian Conflict (26 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I agree with Deputy Smith's condemnation of the unacceptable levels of violence, destruction and displacement. Deplorable violence and suffering have been inflicted on thousands of innocent civilians over many months, and we are now facing a very serious humanitarian crisis in the region. The European Union has led the way in providing urgently needed support to the local populations in the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Ukrainian Conflict (26 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: In regard to my engagement with EU colleagues in the region, including in particular Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Bulgaria and Romania, these matters are discussed on an ongoing basis at EU Foreign Affairs Council meetings. I am fully briefed by my colleagues in the area who have expressed serious concerns about the ongoing situation in their neighbourhood. In regard to the presence of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UK Referendum on EU Membership (26 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The UK’s continuing membership of the EU is a strategic objective for the Government. That is because we believe it is critically important for our economy and for the ongoing development of British-Irish relations. It is also our view that the EU itself is stronger and better with the UK as a full and committed member. We must therefore do what we can to help to encourage the UK to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (26 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Achieving relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the US is a priority for the Government in our contacts with the United States. Through our Embassy in Washington and our Consulates throughout the U.S., we continue to work closely with our high level Government contacts and with many other individuals and groups across Irish America and beyond towards achieving some relief for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Access (26 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I welcome the Deputy’s question and the opportunity to discuss this important issue. I share the very serious concern about the situation in South Sudan, which achieved its independence in 2011 but has been in turmoil since the outbreak of conflict in December 2013. Continuing violence and threats have forced almost two million people to flee their homes. The country’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (26 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The situation in Venezuela is a matter of great concern. As I have indicated before, the deaths, casualties and detentions arising from the unrest there require full, impartial investigation in accordance with due legal process. The apparently high levels of impunity in the case of serious crimes is a matter of further concern as is, indeed, the serious economic situation affecting the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Electoral Reform (26 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The enhancement of our connections to the global Irish community remains central to Government policy.The establishment of the position of Minister for the Diaspora is a tangible demonstration of the Irish Government’s deep commitment to the Irish community abroad. Since taking up this role I have visited many Irish communities and the universal reaction has been very positive. I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (26 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The question of outstanding commitments from the Good Friday and St. Andrews Agreements was considered during the Stormont House talks. Throughout the talks, the Government maintained the view that the best way to strengthen peace and reconciliation across this island was to implement fully the commitments undertaken in these Agreements. In relation to the Good Friday Agreement...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Funding (26 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: During my visit to Gaza last week, I reaffirmed Ireland’s longstanding support for UNRWA. I witnessed the critical work of the Agency in delivering services and assistance to some five million Palestine refugees across the region. I am aware that international financial support to UNRWA has not kept pace with an increased demand for services resulting in recurring financial...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukrainian Conflict (26 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The EU has been at the forefront of international efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, which has claimed over 5,500 lives, left many thousands more injured and forced almost a million people to flee their homes. The conflict has had a devastating impact on local civilian populations in eastern Ukraine who have endured dreadful suffering since fighting broke out in the Donbas...