Results 17,121-17,140 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (22 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I am familiar with the case of Mr Nabeel Rajab and the circumstances of his arrest last year, and that the charges against him reportedly relate to ‘publically insulting official institutions’ under Article 216 of the Bahraini penal code on foot of an opinion he expressed on Twitter. On Tuesday of this week, Mr Rajab was reportedly sentenced to six months in prison. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (22 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I would like to assure the Deputy that the overarching goal of the European Union’s development policy remains the eradication of poverty in a sustainable manner, within the framework of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Negotiations are currently under way on a new framework to succeed the MDGs beyond 2015 and Ireland is playing a significant role in this process, having...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (22 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 is an international treaty that provides a framework for diplomatic relations between states. To date, it has been ratified by 190 countries. The Convention provides for privileges and immunities for diplomats and certain other persons working in embassies. These diplomatic immunities are intended to facilitate the conduct of effective...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (22 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Outstanding commitments undertaken in the two foundational agreements of the peace process, the Good Friday and Saint Andrews Agreements, arose in the context of the recent Stormont House talks, which concluded successfully on 23 December. Throughout the talks, the Government maintained the view that the best way to strengthen peace and reconciliation across this island is to implement fully...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (22 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the case of the person referred to, who was convicted of obstructing military operations in the West Bank, by blocking a military bulldozer engaged in construction. His is one of a series of cases of concern related to the protests around construction of the separation barrier on Palestinian land belonging to the villagers of Bil’in. As is normal practice, EU Missions...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Shannon Airport Facilities (22 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The Programme for Government states that the Government will enforce the prohibition of the use of Irish airspace, airports and related facilities for purposes not in line with the dictates of international law. The Government has repeatedly stated that Ireland would not tolerate the use of our airspace or airports for any illegal purpose, including torture, rendition or the unauthorised...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (22 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I attended the most recent Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in Brussels on 19 January. The agenda items for this FAC were Counter Terrorism, EU relations with Russia, and Climate Change Diplomacy. The first issue discussed was Counter Terrorism, following recent events in France and Belgium. Ministers present re-affirmed the EU’s commitment to preventing and combating terrorism and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (22 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The EU remains at the forefront of international efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine. The situation in eastern Ukraine is extremely fragile at present, with a worrying escalation in hostilities and violence in recent days after a period of relative calm over the Christmas and New Year period. I had the opportunity to discuss the crisis in Ukraine with High...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Terrorism (22 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I participated in the discussions on Counter-Terrorism at the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in Brussels on 19 January, following the brutal murders in France and the violence in Belgium. Together with my colleagues, we re-affirmed the EU’s commitment to preventing and combating terrorism and discussed how our collective efforts, within the EU and in partnership with third...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Terrorism (22 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 176 together. I have strongly condemned the appalling acts of violence being perpetrated in Nigeria and the neighbouring region by the terrorist group Boko Haram. These include the recent killings of a large number of civilians in an attack in the north-eastern state of Borno, and the kidnappings in recent days in Cameroon. I am appalled by...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (22 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The locations currently experiencing warfare, victimization, starvation and abuse, remain a constant concern to the EU, UN and wider global community. Promoting stability and supporting efforts towards peace and security in parts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East continue to require and receive major international attention. UN-authorised peacekeeping missions have a major role in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (22 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Following the end of the recent round of direct negotiations in April 2014, the EU, UN and others, including the US administration, have made clear their continued support for a renewal of dialogue and negotiation, which is the only way to achieve a comprehensive peace agreement. However, there is no move under way at the moment to try to achieve such a resumption, nor is such a move expected...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (22 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Last November President Obama announced new measures which should benefit thousands of undocumented Irish immigrants based in the US. Pending further possible measures being considered by the US Congress, the President’s announcement is a step forward which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on immigrants’ lives. At the core of his proposals is that undocumented immigrants...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Strategy (22 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The advancement of Ireland’s trade, tourism, investment and education promotion objectives is a central aspect of Ireland’s foreign policy and of the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and its Embassy network. While the majority of Irish services and merchandise exports go to Europe and the US and we must continue to cultivate these markets, the Government is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (22 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I remain deeply concerned at this individual’s continued detention as well as the recent further postponement of his trial. Previous PQs, including my response to question 19 today (2657/15), have set out my approach to this case, and the steps taken, in some detail. Most recently I discussed the case with EU High Representative Mogherini in Dublin on 12 January. She confirmed...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Enlargement (22 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: The countries of the Western Balkans are making steady progress in their preparations to join the European Union. Within the region of the Western Balkans, there are four candidate countries: Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Albania. In addition, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo are potential candidate countries. The enlargement process is founded on the Copenhagen criteria, which reflect the...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Association Agreements: Motions (21 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Chairman for his comments. I am very pleased to be here among Deputies from across parties and those of an Independent hue. I am delighted that we have the opportunity so early in the year to deal with these important matters. I hope we can reach a conclusion today and send a positive message back to the plenary session of Dáil Éireann. I also welcome a number of...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Association Agreements: Motions (21 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: Thank you, Chairman, for the opportunity to engage with the committee. I very much value the advice, commentary, observations and guidance of committee members. I thank them for that. I am sure that in the course of 2015 we will have an opportunity to deepen our engagement. I will endeavour to ensure my schedule facilitates that end. The expertise in the committee is very much underlined...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Association Agreements: Motions (21 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: There were two issues that I did not address. Deputy Smith asked about the provisional application or otherwise of the agreements. The agreements provide for provisional application of certain aspects that fall under EU competence until such time as each member state has concluded ratification when they come into force. I say this particularly in the matter of economic and sectoral...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Association Agreements: Motions (21 Jan 2015)

Charles Flanagan: In anticipation of the committee's message, and not wishing in any way to pre-empt matters, I acknowledge the contributions of Deputies Durkan, Eric Byrne, Mitchell and Smith. I acknowledge the contribution of Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan and the comments of Deputy Quinn. I very much welcome the contributions. These agreements are important for the European Union and for Ireland. It is in...