Results 17,401-17,420 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (22 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The Government has consistently and repeatedly called for the lifting of the blockade of Gaza, both in the Oireachtas and in public statements, and along with our EU partners in the formal Conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council. Most recently, I made this a central point of my address to the major international conference on Gaza reconstruction held in Cairo on 12 October, in which I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (22 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I attended the most recent meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 20 October 2014. Discussions were largely dominated by the Ebola crisis in West Africa, as well as by developments in the EU’s Southern and Eastern Neighbourhoods. In opening remarks, High Representative (HR) Ashton gave a short update on the progress of the negotiations with Iran on the nuclear...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Meetings (22 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The EU Foreign Affairs Council, which I attended in Luxembourg on 20 October, held a critical discussion on Ebola, and in particular on the need to step up EU efforts to tackle the crisis in a more coordinated way. At the Council, we reviewed the overall situation in West Africa as the Ebola virus continues to spread in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. The Council recognised that a united...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Citizenship Applications (22 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: My Department has been in frequent contact with this person in an effort to assist her with the application for citizenship through Foreign Birth registration. In cases such as this, the applicant is required to submit the Irish born grandparent’s birth, marriage and death certificates (if appropriate), the birth and marriage certificate of the parent through whom they are applying for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (21 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: This has been, and will remain, a key priority for the Government in our bilateral relationship with the United States. Through our Embassy in Washington and our Consulates throughout the U.S., we are working closely with many other individuals and groups across Irish America and beyond towards achieving some relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the United States and improved channels...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (21 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland is not seeking to avail of subsidised rental accommodation under a scheme operated by the Holy See for developing countries. A permanent Chancery for the resident Embassy to the Holy See has not yet been identified. My officials are addressing a variety of logistical, protocol and other tasks, including securing accommodation appropriate to the objectives of the Embassy, the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (21 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland supports the full achievement of a Palestinian state. We believe this should happen soon. Our policies are designed to be supportive of the negotiated comprehensive peace agreement which we believe is fundamental to the achievement of this objective. I believe substantive political talks on a peace settlement must take place as a matter of urgency and I reiterated that view recently...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Peace and Reconciliation Programme (21 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I am very conscious of the issue the Deputy has raised. A number of organisations have expressed their concern to me about the overall level of funding currently available for peace and reconciliation work.The advancement of reconciliation on this island remains a priority issue for me and my Department. I am pleased that the budget of my Department’s Reconciliation Fund has been...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Military Aircraft Landings (21 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The Shannon Airport Authority has confirmed that no aircraft with the registration number 16/8073 was at the Airport on the dates in question. Arrangements under which permission is granted for US military aircraft to land at Irish airports are governed by strict conditions. These include stipulations that the aircraft must be unarmed, carry no arms, ammunition or explosives and must not...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (21 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 485 to 487, inclusive, together. Ireland condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur or who are the victims. Ireland is deeply concerned by the persecution of Christians. Ireland attaches great importance to combatting all forms of discrimination based on religion or belief and incitement to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Services (21 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I wish to inform the Deputy that the individual referenced by him has not been in touch with my Department in relation to this issue. Our Embassy in Ankara has never the less been informed of the incident and stands ready to make follow up enquiries with the appropriate authorities. In this respect and to assist with those enquiries, it would be helpful if the individual could provide...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Redeployment (21 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: One officer, still serving in my Department, has applied for a transfer to a Government office in County Mayo. No officer has transferred from my Department to an office in County Mayo since 2011.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Consular Services Provision (16 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: My Department has provided consular assistance to the family of the person mentioned by the Deputy since they were first informed of the death. While I am very conscious of the plight of the family and sympathise with their great loss, my Department is not in a position to directly intervene in the German legal process. We have advised the family to take professional legal advice on their...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (16 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question 219 on 14 October (38848/14), which was as follows:Ireland supports the full achievement of a Palestinian state. We believe this should happen soon. Our policies are designed to be supportive of the negotiated comprehensive peace agreement which we believe is fundamental to the achievement of this objective. I believe substantive political talks...

Financial Resolutions 2015 - Financial Resolution No. 3: General (Resumed) (15 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: In deference to the Deputies with just 90 seconds, I will start as quickly as possible. I am honoured to deliver my first budget speech as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. I begin my remarks by paying tribute to my predecessor, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, who as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade steered the Department through an unprecedented time of economic crisis with a skilful...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (15 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The longstanding policy of neutrality remains a crucial element in Ireland’s foreign policy. Guided by the principles that inform our broader foreign policy, we continue to take an active approach towards crisis management. We remain fully committed to meeting our obligations in accordance with the UN Charter, which requires us to make resources available to the UN Security Council...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Staff Remuneration (15 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: No performance related pay has been paid in the years 2011, 2012, 2013 or 2014 by my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passports Data (15 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: As there is no requirement for Irish citizens overseas to register their place of residence, it is not possible to confirm the number of Irish passports currently held by persons resident in the United States. However, I can confirm that the number of Irish passports issued by the Irish Mission network in the United States since 2005 to be 108,233.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (14 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, it is the duty of all persons enjoying diplomatic privileges and immunities to respect the laws and regulations of the host State. Consistent with its obligations under the Vienna Convention, my Department works to ensure that the law is upheld and my Department will assist, as appropriate, in any investigation being undertaken by the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (14 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 223 to 225, inclusive, together. Ireland supports the full achievement of a Palestinian state. We believe this should happen soon. Our policies are designed to be supportive of the negotiated comprehensive peace agreement which we believe is fundamental to the achievement of this objective. I believe substantive political talks on a peace...