Results 17,461-17,480 of 21,096 for speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: UN Declarations (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: Last week I was honoured to co-host the High Level International Meeting on Zero Hungerat the UN in New York. The Zero Hunger Challengewas launched by the UN Secretary General in 2012. He set the international community the challenge to achieve an end to global hunger within a generation. There has been significant progress in recent years, but the stark reality remains that over 800 million...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: In recent years the growing polarisation over the nuclear issue, and the isolationism of the Iranian authorities, made it very difficult to discuss or progress issues relating to human rights, civil society, or democratic principles with Iran. Following President Rouhani’s election in August 2013, the new Government in Iran has made some welcome statements on improving the protection...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I recently visited New York, Washington D.C. and Boston over the period from 23 September to 1 October. While there I had a wide range of meetings covering UN issues as well as bilateral US-Ireland relations and Irish community matters. While our paths had crossed at the UN in New York, I met bilaterally with both Vice-President Biden and Secretary of State Kerry during my visit to Washington...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I visited New York, Washington D.C. and Boston over the period from 23 September to 1 October. While there I had a wide range of meetings covering UN issues as well as bilateral and community matters. On U.S. immigration reform, which remains a key Government priority, I met with both Irish community groups and high level government contacts. My programme included discussions with Vice...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The growth of extremism and the threat posed by ISIS and other jihadist groups to the people of Syria and Iraq was extensively discussed at the UN General Assembly which I attended last week. As I made clear in my address to the General Assembly, there can be no complacency within the international community about the threat which ISIS and other extremists represent or about the need for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I am aware of the recent resolution at the IAEA General Conference to which the Deputy refers. Efforts have been continuing since the 2010 Review Conference to organise a Conference on a Weapons of Mass Destruction-free zone, including nuclear weapons, in the Middle East It has been our opinion - and the opinion of all other EU Member States - that there is still reason to believe that this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Passports (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: Ireland supports Hong Kong’s Basic Law protections of internationally recognised fundamental freedoms, including freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. We encourage all parties to refrain from any actions that may escalate tensions, and to express views on the SAR’s political future in a peaceful manner. We further encourage all parties to work for a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Strategy (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The Government Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy (2010-2015) is being implemented over the course of the current Programme for Government and, as the Deputy notes, has recently been reviewed in a process led by my Department and involving relevant Departments, State agencies and private sector members of the Export Trade Council. As provided for in the Strategy, the Government...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukrainian Conflict (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: I am continuing to closely monitor ongoing developments in eastern Ukraine, which remains an issue warranting our deep concern and attention. While the situation remains fragile and infractions have occurred, the ceasefire agreed in Minsk last month between Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels is continuing to hold in large part. It is crucial now that all sides respect their commitments and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Defence Forces Deployment (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The conditions under which Irish military personnel may be deployed for service outside the State as part of an International Force, referred to as the ‘triple lock’ mechanism, are set down in the Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act of 1960 as amended by the Defence (Amendment) Act of 2006. The service must be as part of an International United Nations Force as defined by the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: My Department is monitoring the situation in Hong Kong closely. Our Consulate General in Hong Kong has been in contact with local officials. Ireland supports Hong Kong’s Basic Law protections of internationally recognised fundamental freedoms, including freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. We encourage all parties to refrain from any actions that may escalate...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Terrorism (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: UN Security Council Resolution 2178 (2014) on foreign terrorist fighters was adopted unanimously in New York on 24 September 2014. Ireland co-sponsored the Resolution along with 103 other States, including all other EU member states. This Resolution takes a comprehensive, human rights compliant approach to tackling the foreign fighters problem in accordance with international law. It...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: On 1 September I issued the following statement on behalf of the Government: “I strongly condemn the appropriation yesterday by Israel of a large block of Palestinian land in the West Bank, which is expected to be used for the creation of a major new Israeli settlement in this highly sensitive area. Ireland has repeatedly made clear that settlements are illegal under international...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Adoption Records Provision (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: My Department retains over 2,200 files relating to passport applications for children sent abroad for adoption between the late 1940s and the early 1970s. These files are not a comprehensive record of all children sent abroad for adoption. It is not possible to provide an exact number of persons for which records are held as, in cases where more than one child was adopted by the same...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Terrorism (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: UN Security Council Resolution 2178 (2014) on foreign terrorist fighters was adopted unanimously in New York on 24 September 2014. Ireland co-sponsored the Resolution along with 103 other States, including all other EU member states. This Resolution takes a comprehensive, human rights compliant approach to tackling the foreign fighters problem in accordance with international law. It...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: Trade sanctions are a political tool and a response to specific political situations or crises, all of which are unique. Sanctions can also have different aims, and the measures which might be effective in one situation may be unsuited to another. In short, the possible application of sanctions depends on what the EU, or UN, as a whole can agree is the best action to take. If partners do not...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: My Department is monitoring the situation in Hong Kong closely and is in regular contact with our Consulate General in Hong Kong and with our Embassy in Beijing. Ireland supports Hong Kong’s Basic Law protections of internationally recognised fundamental freedoms, including freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. We encourage all parties to refrain from any actions...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: In my earlier reply to Question 89 (37724/14) I dealt with the broader consideration of this issue, in particular at the United Nations and the recent General Assembly session. At EU level, the Foreign Affairs Council meeting which I attended on 15 August adopted Conclusions setting out the EU response at this stage. The Council stressed its major concerns regarding the human rights and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Illegal Israeli Settlements (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: The European Union applies a sanction to settlement goods in that they are excluded from the lower tariffs applied to goods from Israel (and many other countries), and administrative measures to implement this distinction are periodically reviewed. More recently, in 2013, the EU published guidelines to ensure that any EU research funding received by universities or other institutions in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (7 Oct 2014)

Charles Flanagan: On the evening of my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, I spoke by telephone with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers. Our conversation largely focused on the prospects for 12 July parades, which were taking place the following day, but also touched upon the need to resume political dialogue on the legacy issues which formed part of the earlier Haass...