Results 17,261-17,280 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Other Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (26 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: Perhaps the House will permit me to refer specifically to the question of travel. Details as to how the travel provision will work in practice have yet to be confirmed but, through our embassy in Washington, we are following up on this point directly with the White House and the US Department of Homeland Security.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Issues (26 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I was pleased to have the opportunity to speak in the course of the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council. I repeated the point I made at the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade when I expressed concern at growing tension and increasing violence on the ground in the Middle East. I also noted that if the violence and the expansion of settlements by the State of Israel continue, the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Issues (26 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The strongest measure against settlement products is that higher tariffs must be paid on such products when they enter the European Union, whereas goods produced in Israel enjoy reduced rates. Work on these issues is continuing, although I accept Deputy Smith's point that it is not progressing at the pace people would like. Guidelines for the labelling of settlement products were put to one...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (26 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will be aware that policing and justice powers were devolved to the Northern Ireland institutions following the Hillsborough Agreement of February 2010. Since that time, David Ford, MLA, has been Minister for Justice with responsibility for prison policy. An executive agency of his Department, the Northern Ireland Prison Service, is responsible for implementing prison policy. A...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (26 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The recent stock take report was accepted by the Northern Ireland Prison Service and by the relevant prisoners and opens an opportunity to resolve outstanding matters in order that the unimplemented elements of the Roe House agreement can be achieved. The independent assessors recommend a timeline of six months for the resolution of outstanding issues. I would encourage all concerned to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (26 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I am most familiar with the regime in Portlaoise Prison in my constituency but I am also cognisant of the points made by the Deputy regarding the meetings of the prison reform group concerning the strip-searching regime and the increased access to landings, all of which have been included in the stock take report. It is generally accepted, including by the Northern Ireland Prison Service,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Issues (26 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland has worked for many years under successive Governments to achieve a two state solution to the Middle East conflict involving the realisation of a sovereign Palestinian state. We have always looked forward, therefore, to being in a position to recognise a state of Palestine in reality and not just as a symbolic gesture. Successive Governments and Ministers for Foreign Affairs have...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (26 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy will be aware that this is and will remain a key priority for the Government in our bilateral relationship with the United States. Through our embassy in Washington, headed by our ambassador, Ms Anne Anderson, and our consulates throughout the United States we are working closely with many individuals and groups across Irish America and beyond towards achieving some relief for...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (26 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I do not wish to raise expectations on this issue. Undoubtedly, this is a step in the right direction and represents real and substantial progress. It is an acknowledgement of the hard work undertaken over a long number of years but particularly in recent times by the Ministers of State at my Department, Deputies Sean Sherlock and Jimmy Deenihan, who visited the US on numerous occasions,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (26 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: This is a very important first step. I was pleased to hear Mr. Billy Lawless, the Chicago-based campaigner who has worked for many years on the matter of the undocumented Irish, give the President's announcement a very forthright welcome. However, I agree with Deputy Crowe that while the President's initiative is very important and positive, it is no substitute for legislative action by...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (26 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I thank Deputy Brendan Smith and his party for their encouragement, support and assistance on this issue. Since 16 October, discussions have been ongoing in the political talks in Northern Ireland convened by the Irish and British Governments. These talks bring together the Northern Ireland Executive parties and the two Governments to address several key issues that have badly impacted on...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (26 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I accept Deputy Brendan Smith’s point about funding for community and victims groups. The issue of victims is centre stage at the current talks with particular reference to dealing with the past. Unless and until this issue is addressed, there will be lasting scars of a serious nature in society in Northern Ireland and, to an extent, across the island. A significant proportion of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (26 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I expect to announce a further round of funding for reconciliation projects before the end of the year. The Deputy referred to outstanding commitments in the agreements. He is right to point out that a number of elements of the Good Friday Agreement and the St. Andrews Agreement have yet to be fully implemented. He mentioned the establishment of the independent consultative forum which...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (26 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland has consistently expressed concern at the ever increasing tension caused by Israeli policies on the ground, and in particular the relentless growth of settlements. Israeli settlements and their continued expansion constitute a major barrier to peace. Settlements, and related policies in Area C (which is the majority of the West Bank), seem designed to drive Palestinians off the bulk...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (26 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The DFAT NGO Forum on Human Rights which took place in Dublin Castle on 07 November 2014 focused on the theme of "Business and Human Rights", including how Ireland will go about implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The Forum provided an opportunity for business, NGOs, trade unions and academics to exchange views on best practices in relation to Business and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (26 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: There have been a number of recent calls for the removal of the Kurdistan Workers' Party – the PKK – from terrorist listings. They have been prompted by the Turkish government's negotiations with the group and the role played by PKK-affiliated Kurdish groups in Syria. Any designation or listing by the EU of a group as a terrorist organization is done on the basis of Council...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (26 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: This is a repeat of my reply to Question No. 3. Policing and justice powers were devolved to the Northern Ireland institutions following the Hillsborough Agreement of February 2010. Since that time, David Ford MLA has been Minister for Justice with responsibility for prison policy. An executive agency of his Department, the Northern Ireland Prison Service, is responsible for implementing...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (26 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland continues to fully support the aim to find a solution to the Cyprus issue that provides for a comprehensive settlement based on a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, as set out in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Ireland believes that a successful resolution would have a positive impact on the whole region and most significantly, it would benefit both...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Banking Sector (26 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The Deputy is referring to the extraterritorial application of US legislation in connection with that country's sanctions against Cuba. Together with our partners in the European Union, we have firmly and continuously opposed extraterritorial measures that seek to extend the US's embargo against Cuba to third countries as contrary to commonly accepted rules of international trade. Our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UK Referendum on EU Membership (26 Nov 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I thank the Deputy for his question, which relates to a hugely significant issue for Ireland. The UK's continued membership of the European Union is clearly of great importance to us. Amongst all the EU member States, the UK is our biggest trading partner; it is a key ally on a range of policy issues at the negotiating table in Brussels; and it is, overall, the country with which we have...