Results 1-20 of 43 for going forward speaker:Cathal Berry

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (20 Mar 2024)

Cathal Berry: ...maritime corridor from Larnaca, Cyprus, to Gaza. If we can do so, in what capacity would we be doing this? From the perspective of an airdrop, I welcome that some parachuted food is still going into Gaza. A few weeks ago, there was talk of Ireland contributing in some way in this regard. It was whether we could fly out some aid and leave it on a runway in Jordan, from where some other...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Discussion (20 Feb 2024)

Cathal Berry: ...getting here. There should have been at least face-to-face consultation and I am concerned that has not happened. The partnership approach, which has been mentioned by some of my colleagues, is the way to go. It is the direction of travel throughout society and the military should be no different. On the gagging clause, I agree it is definitely an issue. I compliment the deputy...

Transfer of Passenger Name Record Data: Motions (14 Feb 2024)

Cathal Berry: ...for the opportunity to make some comments on behalf of the Regional Independent Group on the proposals before us. The question is whether Ireland should opt in to facilitate the EU beginning negotiations with three non-EU countries on the exchange of PNR data. We are actively supporting the proposal for a number of reasons. First, we appreciate the transnational nature of organised...

Capital Supply Service and Purpose Report Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (29 Nov 2023)

Cathal Berry: ...capital project, or even a minor capital project, in a small town or village around Ireland. It has a hugely positive effect. The Minister of State mentioned the broadband plan. That roll-out is going well. Obviously, we would prefer it to be done today, but it will not be. However, it is progress, for sure. He mentioned the rail network. Obviously, we mentioned the motorways as...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Supplementary)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Cathal Berry: ...properties. It makes perfect sense over the long term and it is something we could pass on to the future generations that may not be able to afford rent in ten or 15 years’ time the way things are going. On the Washington property, that is completely appropriate. I agree with the Minister of State that there is a unique relationship between Ireland and the United States. I...

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

Cathal Berry: ...consultative forum. As someone who attended in person, I can say that I found it very useful and worthwhile. I am interested in international relations in any case but I picked up a lot of good nuggets at the forum, which I was not expecting, chief among them was that it is actually okay to have a different view from somebody else and to respectfully disagree with someone. Perhaps this...

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

Cathal Berry: I very much welcome the opportunity to contribute and make a few comments on the readout from the most recent European Council meeting at the end of October in Brussels. I am just going to focus my comments on two main areas. The first is Ukraine and the second is the Middle East. From a Ukrainian point of view, I am sure the Minister of State is probably aware that only in the past...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Implementation of the Recommendations of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Discussion (26 Sep 2023)

Cathal Berry: ...First, I am very heartened by what the Secretary General has said in relation to the patrol duty allowance. If there is to be a resolution in the next number of weeks, that would be a major step forward. The entire committee visited a naval base approximately 18 months ago and the one message we consistently received was that fixing the patrol duty allowance will fix the Naval Service....

Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Bill 2023: Second Stage (21 Sep 2023)

Cathal Berry: .... Like my colleagues, I certainly welcome the content of this Bill, but also like my colleagues and like the Minister of State, I recognise how belated it is. The war in Ukraine began 18 months ago and we are only now commencing the Second Stage of this Bill. That is a major issue as most of the damage has been done at this stage. That leads me nicely to my first point, which is the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Engagement with the Reserve Defence Force Representative Association (11 Jul 2023)

Cathal Berry: I am sure the witnesses recognise that they are behind friendly lines. Everyone on the committee is totally motivated to try to make things as good as we practically can. I thank Mr. Richardson for his opening statement. It was very stark, as the Chair said. It was candid and very hard-hitting. Not only do I agree with everything in it; I fully endorse it. It is entirely my precise...

European Union Directive: Motion (6 Jul 2023)

Cathal Berry: ...events. I would like to focus on prevention in particular. Prevention and deterrents are very important. I agree with the emphasis on a public awareness campaign. It is not just a whole-of-government approach that is needed to tackle this but a whole-of-society one. There is corruption in clubs, villages and towns across the country and it needs to be stamped out wherever it exists. ...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Engagement with the National Cyber Security Centre (23 May 2023)

Cathal Berry: ...but it would be great to get it on the record because other public sector organisations could learn from it. In relation to the permanent premises in Beggar's Bush, is that leased or is that going to be purchased and State owned? If the security operations centre, SOC, is to be established when is it hoped to be fully operational? How has the budget of the organisation changed in the...

Consultative Forum on International Security Policy: Statements (18 May 2023)

Cathal Berry: ...nation has been through over the past 25 years, we have not shied away from contentious topics. We have tackled the issues of divorce, reproductive rights, marriage equality and, to be fair, we are a better country as a result. We can move things forward and have a better policy at the end of this initiative and consultative process. I recognise it is not just logic and reason that will...

Civil Defence Bill 2023: Second Stage (15 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Minister for his opening statement. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill, which aims to modernise legislation that dates to the Second World War. That is probably a good litmus test for the need to modernise legislation. From the outset, I compliment the Civil Defence, both the organisation and the 2,700 volunteers. They do fantastic work. As other colleagues...

Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Bill 2022: Second Stage (24 Jan 2023)

Cathal Berry: ...that it is likely to increase the organ pool significantly and it does so in a very balanced way. People will not be pressurised or forced into it as there is a soft opt-out mechanism. That is a very good way to go forward. It is in keeping with international best practice. I like the living donor component of the legislation, as well as the aspect relating to altruistic donors....

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (14 Dec 2022)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Minister for that useful response. It is good to know that the business case is with the Department. I again emphasise this is a unique group of workers. They are the only workers who have no access to the Labour Court and the WRC and they cannot go on strike so they do need political and ministerial intervention to ensure a level playing field. In the grand scheme of things...

Nationalisation of Energy System: Motion [Private Members] (14 Dec 2022)

Cathal Berry: ..., particularly the views from all sides of the House. It appears to me that we have three options. First, we can maintain the status quo, which I do not believe is viable. Second, we can go for full-on nationalisation. Third, we have the option of increased regulation. I will focus on the status quo, in the first instance. I would not be in favour of this unless there is very...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (Resumed) (19 Oct 2022)

Cathal Berry: ...opportunity to contribute to this debate in advance of the European Council meeting tomorrow and Friday in Brussels. I begin by welcoming the creation of the European Political Community. It is a good idea and a good initiative. It is appropriate that EU and non-EU countries across Europe can sit around the same table and discuss the pressing matters of the day. It was good that...

Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 Oct 2022)

Cathal Berry: I wish the Minister "Good afternoon" and thank her for her detailed opening statement. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this debate on the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022 and I very much welcome it. It is long overdue. I am happy to support its passage through the Dáil and I do so for the following reasons. First of all, it brings Irish...

Financial Resolutions 2022 - Budget Statement 2023 (27 Sep 2022)

Cathal Berry: ...Exchequer. We have not has such a surplus for approximately 15 years. Now we are able to redistribute that as fairly as possible. There are a few measures I would like to highlight that are good, and I will highlight the not so good ones also. First, I welcome the €600 energy credit for households and that will make a significant difference over the winter months. Second, I...