Results 21-40 of 270 for speaker:Duncan Smith

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025 : Discussion (Resumed) (26 Jun 2025)

Duncan Smith: I thank Professor Tonra.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (26 Jun 2025)

Duncan Smith: 212. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware of the ongoing issues with the reliability of the 33B bus service from Portrane to Swords which is operated by the bus company Go-Ahead Ireland, that in May 2025 busses were cancelled on 18 days of the 31 days’ services operated, leaving commuters stranded, with many having to take taxis to their destination at...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Facilities (26 Jun 2025)

Duncan Smith: 226. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to confirm if there is capacity in any of the existing primary schools in Donabate to add extra classes on a temporary basis given the shortage of places which is set to worsen with the rapidly growing population in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35034/25]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: School Meals Programme (26 Jun 2025)

Duncan Smith: 278. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the delay in the roll out of the hot school meals scheme in a school (details supplied) and to confirm that the roll out of this scheme in this school will be prioritised and delivered at the earliest possible time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35150/25]

Ábhair Shaincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Matters: School Accommodation (25 Jun 2025)

Duncan Smith: I thank the Minister of State. I sit on school boards, as the Minister of State probably does or has done. I am aware of the matter of duplication. This is why we have presented the data in its baldest form. Duplication is not an issue. I know it sometimes is an issue in other towns but it is not an issue in Portmarnock. The development and provision of a large new school building...

Ábhair Shaincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Matters: School Accommodation (25 Jun 2025)

Duncan Smith: I thank the Minister of State for being here this morning. I represent Dublin Fingal East in north County Dublin, which has a very young and fast-growing population. There is a lack of primary school places in the village of Portmarnock, which is an issue I have been raising for a number of months. I have tabled parliamentary questions to the Minister. Unfortunately the responses have...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Artists' Remuneration (25 Jun 2025)

Duncan Smith: 100. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the basic income for the arts (BIA) scheme will be continued in Budget 2026; if he plans to make the BIA scheme permanent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34717/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Insurance Coverage (25 Jun 2025)

Duncan Smith: 193. To ask the Minister for Health to clarify whether it is a legal requirement for all private medical insurance to include maternity, newborn and fertility sections on all policies, regardless of the age of the policyholder; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34693/25]

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Jun 2025)

Duncan Smith: Since the latest meeting of the Business Committee, we have seen the new rules from the US on J1 and other visas. The Taoiseach has described them as excessive, but does he have any words of comfort for the thousands of young Irish people who have to give over five years' worth of social media usernames? This is having a chilling impact on our young people and other applicants for visas....

Committee on Defence and National Security: Recent Air Corps Developments: Discussion (24 Jun 2025)

Duncan Smith: Regarding our air domain, what is our current aircraft capacity? Where do we need to get to with numbers of aircraft in order to provide the optimum level of protection for our air domain?

Committee on Defence and National Security: Recent Air Corps Developments: Discussion (24 Jun 2025)

Duncan Smith: Where does unmanned drone technology fit in with our overall capability in this space?

Committee on Defence and National Security: Recent Air Corps Developments: Discussion (24 Jun 2025)

Duncan Smith: Was there a procurement process last year for drone technology?

Committee on Defence and National Security: Recent Air Corps Developments: Discussion (24 Jun 2025)

Duncan Smith: We have none of those but they would be in the plan?

Committee on Defence and National Security: Recent Air Corps Developments: Discussion (24 Jun 2025)

Duncan Smith: In terms of our drone capability now, which states are the world leaders in developing that and from whom are we purchasing what we have at the moment?

Committee on Defence and National Security: Recent Air Corps Developments: Discussion (24 Jun 2025)

Duncan Smith: Would we have closed any deals with the likes of Israel, Iran or the United States for purchasing drone technology in the previous 12 months?

Committee on Defence and National Security: Recent Air Corps Developments: Discussion (24 Jun 2025)

Duncan Smith: That is good to know. I will move to the ATC issue and the targeting and enticing of skilled staff from our Defence Forces to a private operator. Our party policy is that we would love to see an examination of whether the Coast Guard could be operated through our Defence Forces. I am not asking for a comment on that specifically but could the witnesses comment in some way? Are there...

Committee on Defence and National Security: Recent Air Corps Developments: Discussion (24 Jun 2025)

Duncan Smith: I am not saying that, by the way.

Committee on Defence and National Security: Recent Air Corps Developments: Discussion (24 Jun 2025)

Duncan Smith: I thank the Chair.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Revised) (24 Jun 2025)

Duncan Smith: I will begin by recognising the work of the Passport Office and how year on year it is improving. The Minister's colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Emer Higgins, did the State some service a couple of years ago when she highlighted that "passport express" was an out-of-date title for the service at the time. She may have got some online criticism but she was spot on in what she said....

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Revised) (24 Jun 2025)

Duncan Smith: Will it require an extra degree of flexibility and reaction from our own diplomatic service to do this? Are they getting much line of sight in terms of the challenges coming down? What extra pressures are on them in terms of spending the Estimates we have allocated?