Results 17,041-17,060 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (3 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The cost of photography in my Department from 1997 to 2007 was the subject of a previous question in December 2007 and the figures provided at that time are set out in the table below. In September 2011, my Department led a collaborative advertised tender process for the procurement of a multi-supplier competitive framework of photographic service providers. This is now available for use by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: National Flag (3 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 496 and 499 together. On the occasion of the death in office of Heads of State or Government, or other figures holding high office in the international community such as Foreign Ministers or others, the condolences of the Irish authorities can be expressed in a number of ways. Following the death recently of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdul...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Public Relations Contracts Data (3 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: A table containing the information is set out below. It is important to note that the expenditure in question was for the management of specific projects and events under Ireland’s overseas development programme. It was not for general public relations services. In 2007, following a competitive tendering process, a contract valued at just over €5,000 was awarded to a firm to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Relations (3 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland and Spain enjoy excellent bilateral relations and maintain frequent contact at the highest levels, especially as partners in the European Union. The President and the Taoiseach have both made official visits to Spain in recent years while Prime Minister Rajoy visited Dublin in March of last year. Government Ministers maintain direct contacts with their Spanish counterparts. Most...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (3 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Primary responsibility for the regulation of foreign aircraft depends on whether such aircraft are designated as civilian or military. The Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952 gives the Minister for Foreign Affairs primary responsibility for the regulation of activity by foreign military aircraft in Ireland. The regulation of civilian aircraft is governed by the Convention...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (3 Feb 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland adheres to the One China policy and does not recognise Taiwan as a State. As a result, Ireland does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan and does not have an Embassy in Taipei. Irish citizens travelling to, or resident in, Taiwan can register their details on the Citizens’ Registration facility on the Department’s website at www.dfa.ie. The Citizen’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Conventions (29 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Government is fully committed to the frameworks and mechanisms that have been established by the international community to eradicate torture. Ireland ratified the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment on 11 April 2002. The Criminal Justice (United Nations Convention against Torture) Act 2000 makes it an indictable offence in Ireland to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Appointments (29 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Departmental records indicate that no representations have been received by my office, directly or through departmental officials or advisors, from a member seeking persons to be appointed to positions that fall under the remit of my Department since March 2011. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has no state boards or bodies under its remit.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Vice Chairman. I am pleased to be here today to present to the select committee the Revised Estimates for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for 2015. I trust that the committee will endorse the priorities and output targets we have set for ourselves for 2015. It is my first time I have had the pleasure of meeting the select committee to present the Revised Estimates...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The commitment to advancing Ireland's trade and economic interests in Europe and internationally is set out in programme A. The amount allocated for the programme in 2015 is €48.6 million, a slight increase on the allocation for 2014. Last year, 19 ministerial-led Enterprise Ireland trade missions took place to countries which have been identified as priority markets for Irish...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Deputies for their positive remarks in respect of the St. Patrick's Day activities. It is very important that the very best opportunity be taken over that period by a range of Ministers. I cannot conceive of a similar type of opportunity available in any other country in the world. St. Patrick's Day is a huge international celebration and is an annual event. In recent times we...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: In the context of our economic recovery, we have highlighted areas where we can increase our level of trade, particularly in the export market sector. There has been a particular concentration on trade promotion in the Asian market in recent times. The economic importance of Asia, coupled with its role as a engine for innovation and good practice, has led to a situation where our missions...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I do not believe we have plans to visit Cuba in the immediate future. Both my Department and I would welcome an opportunity to hear from the committee if there are areas in which its members believe we can forge new exploratory links. We would be happy to hear from them in the form of a report at any stage.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Our embassy in Mexico has jurisdiction over our engagement with Cuba. Our relations are excellent. If Deputy Eric Byrne has contacts in Cuba, we would be very happy to hear any proposal he might have as to how we might engage further with that country to provide an opportunity that was not readily identifiable in the past.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I will be very happy to hear from members on their return by way of report.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Members will appreciate that there are obviously great opportunities, but we must work within our resources. We have a mere three embassies covering all of South America and Central America. That presents difficulties and means that we cannot engage in the manner members would like. I certainly take on board the recommendation of the committee that we engage actively with Cuba and other...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Minister of State, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, will speak about emigrant support services and the Diaspora. Deputy Brendan Smith spoke about the cost of an emergency passport and the consequent hardship which he considered was placed on those making an application. There is no charge for an emergency passport over and above the normal cost of a passport. I accept what Deputy Ruairí...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: It will cost €35. We are actively engaged with other jurisdictions to ensure its increased acceptance across Europe and beyond. The passport service continually looks towards reform, embraces new technologies and offers a service to the public in a way which ensures efficiency. This year we intend to issue a number of contracts. They will include contracts for facial recognition...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The specific case to which the Deputy refers is that of Ibrahim Halawa, on which we have been engaged in some detail for many months. It exemplifies the high level of attention and engagement that is often required of the consular services. My Department and I are monitoring the case very closely. Last week I again raised the issue with Ms Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Contact will be made in all cases involving an Irish citizen in another jurisdiction where assistance is sought. The Department will make efforts to ensure a satisfactory outcome is achieved. We are very much aware of the case involving 26 Irish citizens in Australia whom I understand will be the subject of a deportation order by the Australian authorities. We have not received any...