Results 1-20 of 89 for going forward speaker:Peter Burke

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Employment Rights (18 Apr 2024)

Peter Burke: ...how the reforms that have been made continue to be progressed. I am proud to be part of a Government that introduced parental leave and sick pay, increased the minimum wage by 46% since 2015, put forward on Second Stage last night a Bill on pension auto-enrolment to protect the future of workers and protect the most low paid in our economy. We are on a strong trajectory now. We brought...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Industrial Relations (18 Apr 2024)

Peter Burke: We are very much committed to this process. Obviously, just a week into the job, I am trying to go through and evaluate all of these issues, but we are absolutely committed in the first instance. The Deputy can see that demonstrated by the establishment of the LEEF group chaired by the Taoiseach and the sub-group chaired by our own Department. We are working at pace on the issues that have...

Seanad: Cost of Doing Business: Statements (17 Apr 2024)

Peter Burke: ...interventions on a topic which is very important to our local economies in protecting our SME sector. We all know the economic activity they provide in our communities is very much valued by the Government. That is demonstrated by the policies we have put in place to support them in recent years. First, I will raise the increased cost of doing business grant. It is a very important...

Seanad: Second Anniversary of Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Statements (22 Feb 2024)

Peter Burke: ...around respect for the rule of law and human rights in Russia. Ukraine has been subjected to an armed aggression, the likes of which had not darkened our Continent in decades. The actions of the Russian Government in invading the territory of a sovereign, independent state are an affront to humanity, conducted with flagrant disregard for international law. Ireland is a militarily...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: EU General Affairs Council Meeting: Discussion (7 Feb 2024)

Peter Burke: ...to expand the coalition calling for a ceasefire. The Deputy is correct to point out that we came together with four countries to try to shift the dial at the European Council level by putting forward a submission together. We are currently trying to increase the number of co-authors that can put a submission to the European Council that would bring significant pressure to bear to bring...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: EU General Affairs Council Meeting: Discussion (7 Feb 2024)

Peter Burke: ...;il to talk about the European Council, he has been there asking pertinent questions about the European context and the issues facing Europe. I wish him well, although I hope there is a long time to go yet in this current Dáil and look forward to working with him into the future. On the Deputy's second last question, which was about Israel, we spoke about that issue and I share...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: EU General Affairs Council Meeting: Discussion (7 Feb 2024)

Peter Burke: I think we should put forward the best person for the job. I know a lot of water will have gone under the political bridge by the time we face that hurdle. I understand and always feel in politics that the best person for the job should go forward. I think we have to get more women into politics. During my previous role as the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (24 Jan 2024)

Peter Burke: ...March, which it is hoped will facilitate additional steps. Ireland has long supported a merit-based enlargement process and the Commission's 2023 enlargement package highlighted the work that is going on across candidate countries to ready themselves for EU membership. Montenegro, Serbia and North Macedonia continue to be the countries most prepared for EU membership, although the rate...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (24 Jan 2024)

Peter Burke: ...time, for their questions and for the statements made earlier by those who contributed. On the general point about the Middle East, Israel and Gaza, I strongly challenge the contention that the Government is standing idly by and doing nothing on the issue. If one looks at the record of what we have done, one will see that we were the first parliament and government to advocate for a...

Consultative Forum on International Security Policy Report: Statements (22 Nov 2023)

Peter Burke: ...conclude today's session with a few words on the consultative forum and the related next steps. Allow me to thank Deputies for their valuable contributions in the House today. One of the main goals of the forum was to generate discussions on our foreign, security and defence policies. Anyone who has listened to the last two hours of lively, open debate will surely conclude that we have...

Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments: Consideration of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments (21 Nov 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank the Cathaoirleach. I begin by welcoming the increase in representation for the European Parliament on foot of yesterday's announcement that Ireland's representation would go from 13 seats to 14 seats, with the Midlands-North West getting this additional seat. This will be a big asset to our country in the years ahead. I am pleased to attend today’s meeting. I am joined by...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (8 Nov 2023)

Peter Burke: .... That position resulted in it becoming European policy, which shows and underscores that Ireland's influence has always been greater than its size. It is why we will continue to work and put forward our view that we need an immediate ceasefire. The corridors for humanitarian access need to be opened urgently and permanently to ensure the most vulnerable people and citizens get the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (11 Oct 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank the Deputy. I will try to go through those points. On qualified majority voting, and the MFF and the EU budget, we are firmly of the belief that Ukraine is a special case. We have to really work to ensure it gets access to the finance it needs and enhanced loans and grant support. If we look at the trajectory and the time it took to agree the current strand of the MFF to 2027, it...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (18 Apr 2023)

Peter Burke: ...of offshore renewable infrastructure. The maritime area regulatory authority, MARA, having its headquarters in Wexford will be a key instrument in adjudicating on all those consents, which are going to be very important. Seven times our landmass is offshore. It is one of those key areas that could be a huge benefit for this country into the future. We look forward to delivering on...

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement and Windsor Framework: Motion (8 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: I welcome the opportunity to represent the Government in the debate on this Sinn Féin Private Members’ motion. I thank and acknowledge all Senators for their contributions on this important matter. The Government will not be opposing this motion. The Good Friday Agreement, signed almost 25 years ago in Belfast, remains a remarkable achievement. The agreement brought peace and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (8 Mar 2023)

Peter Burke: ...between giving space and time to the DUP to make its determination and making progress when we have the wind at our backs, which we have right now. We are doing our best to try to encourage the UK forward and to keep selling it to their political system. Obviously, the EU will be moving forward with its ratification process. However, it is very important that what I have outlined is...

Seanad: Appointment of Ordinary Members of An Coimisiún Toghcháin: Motion (14 Dec 2022)

Peter Burke: ...commission sets about doing its work. It will be open to conduct a public consultation at that juncture. In the Act, three months after the final census figures, the report must be completed. Going on that trajectory we hope to have the new boundaries legislated for before summer. That is important as the Senators pointed out both for the electorate and people practising politics....

Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Bill 2022: Second Stage (1 Dec 2022)

Peter Burke: ...to do so this week. This House can move mountains at times to try to bring in legislation. I appeal to the Business Committee and Members across the House in that regard. This is a very straightforward Bill. It has gone through the stress test of passing through all the councillor representative bodies, the council members, the sub-group of female councillors, the joint committee's...

Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Bill 2022: Second Stage (1 Dec 2022)

Peter Burke: I move: “That the Bill be now read a Second Time.” I am delighted to bring before the House today the Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Bill 2022. The Bill represents an important legislative change which primarily will give elected members of local authorities a statutory entitlement to maternity leave. The Bill is...