Mick Wallace - Recent appearances (From KildareStreet.com)

Middle East Peace Process | Other Questions | Dáil debates

2013-05-16T17:30:00+00:00

Has the Tánaiste expressed his disapproval with the Israeli ambassador to the incursions into the Syria? Even if the Israelis do not admit to those, would he strongly express the Government's disapproval of any future incursions that might be made into Syria by the Israeli military?

Middle East Peace Process | Other Questions | Dáil debates

2013-05-16T17:20:00+00:00

I thank the Tánaiste for that answer and welcome the sentiments in it. He said he would be in favour of a ban but said it is unlikely the European majority would row in behind that. I agree with the Tánaiste on that given there would be many large states in Europe that are not as neutral as Ireland. We have always prided ourselves on our neutrality and I wonder if the Tánaiste has considered the idea of expressing our sovereignty by going alone on this. The Tánaiste said he did not think it would be necessarily a great idea but it would emphasise our neutrality in the strongest manner.

It was interesting to see the Israeli human rights organisation B'Tselem concluding that most of the 167 Palestinians killed last November when Israel was bombing Gaza were civilians and that Israeli forces acted contrary to the laws of war. The reported missile attacks on Syria are also contrary to the laws of war and I wonder if the Tánaiste has expressed his disapproval of Israeli encroachments on Syria and if he has discussed this matter with the Israeli Ambassador.

Middle East Peace Process | Other Questions | Dáil debates

2013-05-16T17:20:00+00:00

8. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent announcement by Israel that it intends to build nearly 300 new homes in the West Bank; his views on the way this will impact upon peace efforts in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23349/13]

Foreign Conflicts | Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions | Dáil debates

2013-05-16T16:40:00+00:00

I welcome the Tánaiste's comments. Will he remind Prime Minister Cameron of the lessons of Iraq and Afghanistan, that being, without a workable political plan, the use of force is a recipe for deep and prolonged trouble? An internationally and regionally backed deal is the only way out of this disaster. The US and Russia must talk. Does the Tánaiste not agree that they are the only players that can bring an end to this humanitarian crisis?

Foreign Conflicts | Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions | Dáil debates

2013-05-16T16:40:00+00:00

The West seems tempted to get involved. It likes some of the rebels, but not others. It would like to build up its favoured groups and weaken the role of the jihadists, who seem to be taking on a stronger role in the war. Foreign intervention on both sides has had the drastic effect of escalating the conflict. Apart from Israel and the US, among those pushing for more intervention is Prime Minister David Cameron, eager to ingratiate himself with the Gulf's dictators. He has been pressing for the EU's arms embargo to be lifted. Does the Tánaiste not agree that lifting the embargo would only escalate the problem further?

Foreign Conflicts | Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions | Dáil debates

2013-05-16T16:40:00+00:00

Syria's gruesome civil war threatens to spill into a wider Middle Eastern conflict. Israel's aerial attacks on Syrian military installations near Damascus, killing more than 100 people, certainly have not helped. The bombing raids, which were unprovoked and illegal, were immediately supported by the US and British Governments. However, given the fact that Israel has illegally occupied Syria's Golan Heights for 46 years, the legitimacy of a few more air raids probably hardly matters. Nevertheless, I wonder what would be the reaction of the West had Syria or Iran launched such an attack on Israel or one of the Arab regimes arming the Syrian rebels. International legality, equity or rights of self-defence have little to do with it.

President Assad's regime is battered, discredited and unacceptable, but is unlikely to be dislodged by force any time soon. Intensified military action has no real prospect of breaking this destructive and horrific stalemate.

Foreign Conflicts | Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions | Dáil debates

2013-05-16T16:40:00+00:00

3. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of Ireland's hosting of the EU presidency, the proactive steps he has taken to address the violation of international law by Israel, most recently their aerial bombardment inside Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23487/13]

Human Rights Issues | Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade | Written Answers

2013-05-16T00:00:00+00:00

63. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action he has taken to date to encourage the United States administration to close Guantanamo Bay; his views on the ongoing hunger strike in the prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23348/13]

Good Friday Agreement: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] | Dáil debates

2013-05-15T18:30:00+00:00

The Good Friday Agreement has been a very positive development, but we should not take things for granted. There is still work to be done if we are to ensure the long-term sustainability of the peace process. Like other Deputies in yesterday's debate, I want to concentrate on some of the prison issues. Marian Price and Martin Corey were released on licence many years ago but were rearrested in the last few years and are now imprisoned without trial.

It is called internment. A series of abuses have occurred in the case of Brendan McConville and John Paul Wootton, known as the Craigavon Two. Allegations are weak in both cases and there are serious issues relating to the Police Service of Northern Ireland, PSNI, regarding their convictions and recent failed appeal. Injustices have the potential to put the peace process at risk.

Having visited Maghaberry Prison on three occasions over the last three months with other Members of the Oireachtas and listened to the prisoners' side of the story, one would have to be concerned. I have no interest in republicanism, but I feel the treatment of political prisoners in Maghaberry is unjust and leaves much to be desired. Prisoners' rights were promised in 2010 but did not materialise and this led to a dirty protest which lasted 18 months up to last December. Promises were made again following the end of the protest, and again they were not delivered. Measures were to be introduced to bring about a conflict-free environment in the prison. These were to be brought in over three phases in a 12 month period to include movement access, whereby they were promised they would be allowed to have six men on the landing at one time, three in the laundry, three in the phone room and three in the classroom. It turns out the classroom is not available to them. There are no teachers available to them. These prisoners are getting no education and are locked up in their own cells most of the day. It does not make much sense.

What ever happened to the idea that prison was meant to reform the prisoner, make him or her a better person and fit for society? They also have serious grievances about the continued use of strip-searching and the use of isolation in an effort to break particular prisoners. It would make far more sense to have a peaceful atmosphere in the prison rather than one of conflict.

State Airports | Other Questions | Dáil debates

2013-05-15T14:20:00+00:00

Pontius Pilate comes to mind. He is washing his hands of road safety issues.

Rail Services | Other Questions | Dáil debates

2013-05-15T14:20:00+00:00

It takes two hours and 40 minutes to get to Wexford.

Rail Services | Other Questions | Dáil debates

2013-05-15T14:10:00+00:00

We have just seen the prioritisation of even further investment for roads, with rail being sidelined once again. The service has been downgraded and the ultimate viability of rail has been diminished, with negative prospects for existing jobs and long-term sustainable transport solutions. Did the cost-benefit analysis and the final political decision for the NRA project take account of the negative impact of the projects on corresponding rail services in terms of diminished competitiveness of rail journey times and, thereby, on the long-term viability of those rail services? How were the relative priorities for overall transport investment decided? Was comparative cost effectiveness analysis carried out when NRA expenditure was being decided? How much of the investment planned in Iarnród Éireann is for essential ongoing maintenance and how much for infrastructural upgrades or new developments that would lead to service improvements?

Dublin Bus Services | Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions | Dáil debates

2013-05-15T14:10:00+00:00

I am not attacking the Minister of State.

Dublin Bus Services | Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions | Dáil debates

2013-05-15T14:10:00+00:00

The Minister, Deputy Varadkar, is usually pretty prompt within his remit.

Dublin Bus Services | Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions | Dáil debates

2013-05-15T14:10:00+00:00

Obviously I would not like to see the bus fleet in Dublin undermined in any manner but I am aware that the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, has read the report and I would like to know if he is happy with it. He is already on record today as commenting on the report.

Dublin Bus Services | Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions | Dáil debates

2013-05-15T14:10:00+00:00

It concerns road safety.

Dublin Bus Services | Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions | Dáil debates

2013-05-15T14:10:00+00:00

It relates to the question I submitted.

Dublin Bus Services | Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions | Dáil debates

2013-05-15T14:10:00+00:00

I tabled a question relating to road safety, which obviously comes within the Department's remit, but it was disqualified. I sent a letter regarding the determination of penalty points to the Minister about a month ago and was disappointed that I did not receive a reply. I am concerned about the level of interest in the issue. We have not seen the report but I presume the Minister of State has seen it. I would like to ask him a few questions about it. Did he find the determination policy used by gardaí was within the limits set down by the relevant legislation? Does the report deal with the failure to offer protection to whistleblowers? Is the Minister of State concerned that whistleblowers were not interviewed even once by the people investigating the issue? In general, is the Minister of State happy with the report?

Dublin Bus Services | Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions | Dáil debates

2013-05-15T14:10:00+00:00

5. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether Dublin Bus is adequately maintaining its fleet in order to cope with passenger demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22956/13]

Rural Transport Programme Issues | Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport | Written Answers

2013-05-15T00:00:00+00:00

30. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the management of the rural transport programme; if he will outline the criteria used in awarding contracts and the average value of contracts awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22957/13]