Results 17,001-17,020 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Certificate of Irish Heritage (17 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Since the Certificate of Irish Heritage was introduced in September 2011, 3,029 Certificates have been issued – 149 in 2011, 1,317 in 2012, 1,172 in 2013 and 391 in 2014. This overall figure includes 283 promotional Certificates presented to various individuals since 2011. With the vast majority of the global diaspora not eligible for Irish citizenship, the Certificate of Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigration Data (17 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The issuing of visas is a sovereign matter for the US authorities. However officials in my Department are making enquiries to obtain current figures from their US counterparts and will endeavour to provide the Deputy with an accurate figure once these have been received.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (17 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I remain deeply concerned at this individual's continued detention as well as the recent further postponement of his trial. From my first day in office, I have taken an active role in this case and indeed in my first week in office I spoke to Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry setting out my concerns. I have spoken to FM Shoukry on a number of further occasions, stressing that the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukrainian Conflict (17 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The conflict in eastern Ukraine has escalated rapidly in recent weeks. The upsurge in violence and the increasing number of casualties, in particular innocent civilians caught up in the fighting, has been deeply troubling. I welcome the agreement reached in Minsk on 12 February, following all-night talks involving Chancellor Merkel, President Hollande, President Poroshenko and President...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (17 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Passports Act, 2008 provides, among other things, that only Irish citizens are entitled to be issued with Irish passports. Therefore for the person in question to be issued an Irish passport she must first become an Irish citizen. Citizenship is a matter for the Minister of Justice Equality and Law Reform.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Grant Payments (17 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 413, 416 and 417 together. On 12 January the Minister for the Diaspora, Jimmy Deenihan T.D., announced that the Government was providing funding of €250,000 to the GAA for Shannon Gaels GAA Club in New York to develop the underage playing field in Frank Golden Park, Queens. This funding marked a contribution towards the capital costs associated...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Grant Payments (17 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 414 and 415 together. The Emigrant Support Programme (ESP), which is administered by my Department, provides funding to not-for-profit organisations and projects to support Irish communities overseas. The focus of the Emigrant Support Programme is on initiatives that address the needs of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable Irish emigrants; enhance access...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (17 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I participated in the most recent meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers in Brussels on 9 February where there was a comprehensive discussion on: the situation in Ukraine; the Union's efforts to combat international terrorism; as well as the continuing crises in Libya and Yemen. Given the developments on the ground in the run up to the Council meeting, the situation in Ukraine was the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (17 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: As I said in my reply to Question number 500, the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952 gives the Minister for Foreign Affairs primary responsibility for the regulation of foreign military aircraft in Ireland. In relation to military personnel travelling on civil aircraft, my reply stated that legislation provides that the Minister for Transport has primary responsibility...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (17 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: In the course of a presentation by Crosscare Migrant Project to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade in October 2014 a proposal regarding the creation of an emigrant register was raised. Following this meeting a formal proposal was received from Crosscare for funding from the Emigrant Support Programme towards a Global Networking Hub. This proposal was assessed and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Application Refusals (17 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: All passport applications are subject to the provision of Passports Act, 2008 (the Act). In cases such as this where the application form has not been correctly witnessed, the applicant is informed and requested to submit a new form suitably witnessed.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: National Postcode System Expenditure (17 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: My Department continues to assess the changes required in its systems to support the rollout of Eircode in 2015. Significant expense is not envisaged. One of the key areas where the Eircode address database will benefit the work of my Department is the Passport Office. The cost of changes to the systems for passport processing is estimated at €60,000.

Topical Issue Debate: Irish Prisoners Abroad (12 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Deputy Shatter for raising this important issue and for giving me an opportunity to update the House. Ibrahim Halawa, an Irish citizen, and his three sisters were detained following incidents at the Al Fateh mosque in Ramses Square in Cairo on 17 August 2013. His sisters were later released, but Ibrahim remains in detention. His case is a matter of concern for me, as I know it...

Topical Issue Debate: Irish Prisoners Abroad (12 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will be aware that it is not within our power or authority to interfere unduly in a criminal matter in a foreign jurisdiction. That notwithstanding, I have outlined the steps that the Irish Government has taken and will continue to take in order to secure a positive outcome. This difficult and challenging case has consumed the attention of many of our officials for many months....

Topical Issue Debate: Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Pat Finucane (12 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to make it quite clear to Deputy Adams and everybody in the House and beyond that there is absolutely no ambivalence on the part of the Government as far as this issue is concerned. We continue to make it absolutely clear in all circumstances that the position of the Irish Government remains one of full support for a public inquiry in line with the commitments agreed upon at Weston...

Topical Issue Debate: Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Pat Finucane (12 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: In fact, my Department will be represented this evening in Belfast with representatives of the Finucane family as the group marks the anniversary of the brutal murder. My officials have worked closely with the family. We will continue to work closely with the family in the context of our discussions with the British Government and beyond. Officials from the Department have been working...

Topical Issue Debate: Inquiry into the Death of Mr. Pat Finucane (12 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: On this day, the 26th anniversary of the murder of Pat Finucane, I wish to express sympathy, on my own behalf and on behalf of members of the Government, to Mrs. Geraldine Finucane and all the Finucane family. That any family should witness the cold-blooded murder of a loved one is appalling. That their quest for the full and transparent truth about the horrendous events of that day is...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Human Rights Issues (12 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. Mr. Ibrahim Halawa, an Irish citizen, and his three sisters were detained following incidents at the Al Fateh Mosque on Ramses Square in Cairo on 17 August 2013. His sisters were later released, but he remains in detention. His case is a source of concern for me, as I know it is for the Senator and many others. From my first day in office, I...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Human Rights Issues (12 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I assure the Senator this matter is very much on the agenda and I look forward to meeting members of the Halawa family this afternoon and members of Amnesty International.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: State Visits (12 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I will myself be visiting Israel and Palestine, as well as Lebanon and Jordan, next week. Minister of State Sherlock is planning a visit later in the year to see how Irish development and humanitarian funding is employed in the region, but no dates have yet been decided upon. I am not at this point aware of other visits to Israel or Palestine.