Results 1-20 of 5,534 for speaker:Maureen O'Sullivan

Climate Action and Low Carbon Development: Statements (18 Dec 2019)

Maureen O'Sullivan: I am beginning to feel that climate is getting like housing with debate after debate. It is really time that we stopped talking and started doing. Equally, while marches and protests have their place, we need comprehensive, easy to read, easy to understand information and measures on recycling. Most of us have our different bins but there is a lot of contamination of recycling materials...

Post-European Council: Statements (18 Dec 2019)

Maureen O'Sullivan: Let me consider the topics discussed at the meetings in the past two days. Obviously, the multi-annual financial framework was discussed. Nobody denies the importance of that and of the budgets for the work of the European Union. I believe, however, that there are certain rights issues that are not receiving the attention they deserve and are not being acted upon sufficiently. Speaking...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (18 Dec 2019)

Maureen O'Sullivan: I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. There has been a lull in the severity of the violence and ongoing tension but it is obvious that there was an outbreak of violence on a smaller scale last weekend. There was a very disturbing report that on previous occasions first responders and other medical staff were detained by law enforcement agents while they tried to provide assistance to the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (18 Dec 2019)

Maureen O'Sullivan: Although ours is a small voice, we are respected and there is more we can do. It is good to hear that the Tánaiste met the Chinese Foreign Minister and that he has a relationship with the ambassador here. It is about keeping these matters on the agenda. The demands of the protestors are something we would take for granted here. They include the withdrawal of the word "riot" and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (18 Dec 2019)

Maureen O'Sullivan: 46. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position of Ireland on the continuation of violence in Hong Kong in the name of democracy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53197/19]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (18 Dec 2019)

Maureen O'Sullivan: 52. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if progress has been made on the number of Basques in prison five years after ETA ceased the armed struggle; and if there can be a resolution at EU level. [53200/19]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (18 Dec 2019)

Maureen O'Sullivan: 55. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland and the EU are progressing trade links with Cuba in view of the EU Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement. [53201/19]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (18 Dec 2019)

Maureen O'Sullivan: 58. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which he can ensure at a European level that Tamils in Sri Lanka will be supported in view of the ongoing violence against them by the regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53198/19]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (18 Dec 2019)

Maureen O'Sullivan: 62. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had correspondence or talks with companies and enterprises here that are complicit in human rights violations through trade with countries and industries that do not observe human rights and businesses such as an Irish company which coal from the Cerrejon coal mines in Colombia; and his views on whether such instances emphasise...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (18 Dec 2019)

Maureen O'Sullivan: 65. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland has understandings or agreements with foreign countries regarding aerial defence in situations in which aircraft intrusion is used as a way of compensating for lack of jet aircraft within the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53014/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Partnership for Peace (17 Dec 2019)

Maureen O'Sullivan: 63. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on the future relationship of Ireland with a restructured Partnership for Peace under the auspices of NATO; the way in which this could reconcile with our position of neutrality and a focus on Ireland's involvement in peacekeeping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53010/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Partnership for Peace (17 Dec 2019)

Maureen O'Sullivan: We have discussed this matter before. There are very real and valid concerns, however, regarding the erosion of our neutrality. Any alignment with NATO intensifies those concerns further. Issues arose in respect of Shannon. Any NATO-led initiative raises alarm bells. The restructured model and potential change in ethos under the more centralised programme is concerning....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (17 Dec 2019)

Maureen O'Sullivan: We know that pay has been an issue and I acknowledge the efforts that are now being made in that regard. I hope that the proposals outlined by the Minister of State will prove to be productive and effective in addressing the issues. There is no doubt about the pride Irish people feel in the Defence Forces and their peacekeeping work and also the very visible role they have played in the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (17 Dec 2019)

Maureen O'Sullivan: The answer is that time will tell. The effectiveness of what the Minister of State proposes will be seen if members of the Defence Forces no longer leave in the numbers they have been leaving. Retention of experience is vital. The other way we will see the proof of the proposals outlined by the Minister of State is that young people will see joining the Defence Forces as a viable career...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Remuneration (17 Dec 2019)

Maureen O'Sullivan: 82. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on his efforts to improve pay and conditions for members of the Defence Forces; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this perceived unfairness is having an influence on the recruitment and retention of members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53011/19]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Contracts (17 Dec 2019)

Maureen O'Sullivan: 72. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 27 of 7 November 2019, if the question of arms being purchased and sold to countries that violate international law and deny human rights has been raised at EU level; his views on whether the EU should reconsider its policy on competitive tenders with an emphasis on human rights; and if he will consider a...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Permanent Structured Co-operation (17 Dec 2019)

Maureen O'Sullivan: 75. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on whether many aspects of PESCO are at odds with the centrality of peace and conflict resolution as set out in A Better World, which is the position of Ireland on international development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53012/19]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation: Discussion (17 Dec 2019)

Maureen O'Sullivan: It is important to acknowledge the work that our guests do in facilitating difficult and challenging conversations, away from the public eye and the speculative nature of the media, which is less than positive when it comes to those difficult situations. The Chairman mentioned funding. I read from the briefing that there are particular physical needs at the centre. What is the extent of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation: Discussion (17 Dec 2019)

Maureen O'Sullivan: I asked a question on business and human rights.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation: Discussion (17 Dec 2019)

Maureen O'Sullivan: That is okay, Deputy Barrett can continue.