Results 30,241-30,260 of 33,214 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (3 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will be aware from previous answers,the crisis in Ukraine has dominated the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) over the last few months, leading to the convening of two extraordinary sessions of the FAC on 20 February and 3 March, both of which I attended. The Taoiseach also attended an extraordinary meeting of the Heads of State and Government on 6 March and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (3 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: The protracted and tragic crisis in Syria has resulted in unprecedented levels of humanitarian need, requiring a sustained response from the international community. As the number of fatalities exceeds an estimated 140,000 people, there are now over 9.3 million people within Syria who are in need of immediate life-saving support, with a further 2.6 million Syrian refugees requiring...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (3 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I am aware of concerns over the treatment of ethnic minorities, principally Tatars and Ukrainian-speakers, living in Crimea. Indeed on 27 March, the Council of Europe's European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) expressed its grave concern at serious allegations of intimidation and discrimination against Ukrainian-speakers and Tatars in the Crimean region of Ukraine, now under...

Report on Defence Forces Service with the United Nations in 2013: Referral to Select Committee: Middle East Issues (1 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank Deputies Lawlor and Nolan again for their contributions. I agree with Deputy Nolan's analysis regarding the inherent complexity of the situation, the weight of history and the dilemmas and challenges facing the countries and communities in the region. Amid this complexity, the view of the Government, one which is clearly shared by the Deputies, is that we strongly support a...

Report on Defence Forces Service with the United Nations in 2013: Referral to Select Committee: Middle East Issues (1 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Deputies for raising the issue. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, has consistently made clear the Government's strong criticism of and opposition to Israeli settlements and settlement expansion, which are illegal under international law and constitute a major obstacle to peace. Settlements and related policies in area C seem...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: National Reform Programme for Ireland 2014: Minister of State at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (1 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: Yesterday the director general of the HSE, Mr. Tony O'Brien, commented on issues pertaining to consultant costs and monitoring. His comments and those of the Minister for Health suggest issues have arisen in this regard and that we have to move to address them. I am aware from my time on the Committee of Public Accounts that it is a complicated issue, but it is receiving the attention it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: National Reform Programme for Ireland 2014: Minister of State at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (1 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Chairman and all members for their contributions today. I will kick off with an overview of the points made to me. If one considers the range of issues that have arisen, which include everything from the post-leaving certificate courses to nuclear energy, with a bit of Bonar Law in the middle, the breadth of those issues is absolutely huge. I do not mean that in a flippant...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: National Reform Programme for Ireland 2014: Minister of State at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (1 Apr 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the committee for the opportunity to make this presentation. A copy of my speech is on its way to the committee and we will have an opportunity to circulate it during the session. First, I thank the committee for its invitation to join members here today and welcome the opportunity to engage with them on the European semester process and the preparation for Ireland’s...

Report on the Contribution of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to Economic Recovery: Statements (28 Mar 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Chairman of the committee, Deputy Pat Breen, for bringing the report to the Dáil and for the opportunity to debate and discuss it today. Like others I acknowledge and thank all of the committee members who have made a contribution to the report and will comment on it during this debate, including Deputies Byrne, Crowe, Mitchell, O'Sullivan and Smith. I will make...

European Council: Statements (26 Mar 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I will respond to questions that were put to me, beginning with Deputy Boyd Barrett. I did not answer questions about Ukraine because he did not put such questions to me. Now that he has, I will respond to that point. With regard to property, I refer to a point I made earlier. Do I believe house price increases at the moment constitute a macroeconomic imbalance? I do not believe so...

European Council: Statements (26 Mar 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: -----I am certain those in receipt of funding in Ireland use it for the purposes to which it is intended. I am certain of that. If there are any question marks about it, I am sure it will be investigated by the proper bodies.

European Council: Statements (26 Mar 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: On the comments about someone who is a respected and experienced MEP from my party, I have already said the approach of the Government is to, at the best possible moment, take the right steps to gain value back for the Irish taxpayer. With regard to the broader points put to me and in concluding on other areas that have not been touched on in the European Council discussions, I refer to...

European Council: Statements (26 Mar 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I will respond to the different points the Deputies made. Deputy Boyd Barrett asked about the property sector and what he believes is taking place with regard to property prices and the significant difficulties to do with homelessness. He first asked me whether there was a European sphere of engagement on this topic. I must emphasise that policy on the delivery of housing, whether it be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Forthcoming General Affairs Council: Minister of State (13 Mar 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: On the question of whether the European Union has the tools, yes, it does. With the tools at its disposal, from an economic point of view, it has put in place a support programme of €12 billion - admittedly it has been done in conjunction with other international bodies - to support the stabilisation of Ukraine. It has already made it clear that it will suspend future visa...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Forthcoming General Affairs Council: Minister of State (13 Mar 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: Deputy Eric Byrne said he was concerned that we had not given sufficient recognition to the language to be used in Ukraine. If he was referring to my contribution, I apologise if I made such an omission and he should allow me to rectify the matter now. I emphasise the Government's view that the upcoming referendum is illegal; that the actions we believe have been taken by Russia should not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Forthcoming General Affairs Council: Minister of State (13 Mar 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I was there in January and it appears members of the committee will be travelling there soon. I hope that will happen.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Forthcoming General Affairs Council: Minister of State (13 Mar 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: The candidate status of Albania will be the subject of discussion at the European Council that will probably take place around that time. We are very much aware of what is happening in its neighbourhood, but we will continue to emphasise that we need Albania to continue to take steps that are needed in a number of areas. I said this when I was in Tirana. I believe I have dealt with all...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Forthcoming General Affairs Council: Minister of State (13 Mar 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: In what sense?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Forthcoming General Affairs Council: Minister of State (13 Mar 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: It is a matter that falls more within the remit of the Minister of State, Deputy Joe Costello. It is certainly not a proposal or matter for discussion at either the Foreign Affairs Council or the General Affairs and External Relations Council next week.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Forthcoming General Affairs Council: Minister of State (13 Mar 2014)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Vice Chairman and members for their questions. I will go through each of them in turn. I will start with the questions raised by my colleague Deputy O'Reilly in respect of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The theme was echoed by several others, including Deputy Dooley, Deputy Eric Byrne and Deputy Durkan - all the committee members. It reflects the broad interest that the committee and the...