Results 61-80 of 6,465 for speaker:Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I will take the opportunity. One of the primary issues I raised was the tariffs. The picture is somewhat uncertain but I ask the Minister of State to give us an update in relation to the feedback the Irish Government is getting on the discussions with the Commission. I am interested not so much in the areas that are most vulnerable because several areas are thus. I am more interested in...

Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Rachaidh mé tríd na hábhair faoi mar a bhí siad i ráiteas an Taoisigh. In the first instance, I will say again that we abhor the Russian Federation's criminal invasion of Ukraine. It is a war of aggression that has caused untold human suffering. It is very clear from the events of recent weeks that Vladmir Putin has no interest in peace and that he is using...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: General Scheme of Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Jul 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I thank everyone for their forbearance. It is unfortunate that there are so many votes this evening. To clarify and to be fair to the Chair and the committee, in the context of the scheduling of this meeting there are more than would be typical. We would not necessarily anticipate having to depart so often. It is unfortunate and I thank the witnesses for their patience. My first...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: General Scheme of Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Jul 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Yes, it is my understanding that the heads anticipate a criminal sanction with regard to persons. That brings me to another point. Under the Customs Act, it is not necessarily the case that you have to confiscate items when they arrive at a port from another EU member state, but that is obviously an option. Members of An Garda Síochána and other officers can seize goods at the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: General Scheme of Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (9 Jul 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: We can have a bit of a debate, and we are having a debate and various opinions are being offered, as to the policy exception but ultimately we do not really have a final conclusive position from the courts on this particular matter. Is it fair to say the central issue is that it has never been tested, particularly off the back of the International Court of Justice decision? We had a debate...

Student Fees: Motion [Private Members] (8 Jul 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: For a couple of days I really could not get my head around what the Government was at in relation to this. Was it some sort of internal politics between Departments, trying to bounce somebody into making an announcement? Was it sheer incompetence? I could not understand it. Why would the Government just walk into a problem that had not been on the horizon? Why would it create this stress...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Rebates (8 Jul 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 331. To ask the Minister for Finance the value of the overcompensation provided as a result of the inclusion of poultry broiler sector within the VAT flat-rate addition scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37360/25]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Appeals (8 Jul 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 566. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when it is expected a decision will issue on a carer's allowance appeal (details supplied). [37359/25]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Equipment (8 Jul 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 853. To ask the Minister for Health if the linear accelerator and CT scanner in CUH which had been closed in recent times, remain closed as of 2 July 2025; when it is anticipated it will be in use; and the staff that are required to achieve this. [37670/25]

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Jul 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I welcome the witnesses, as well as Mr. Roger Cole. My first question has been partially answered. The Peace and Neutrality Alliance submission underlines very clearly its view that the legislation as currently framed - and we are dealing with the general scheme rather than the full legislation - could conceivably be unconstitutional. Could the witnesses expand on that? There has been...

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Jul 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: There was a discussion about our situation with the Defence Forces and it is welcome to have that discussion. It is not strictly precluded by that. However, I welcome the interest of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael representatives, given the neglect of the Defence Forces under Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Governments in recent years that have let us get to the situation, where there are...

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Jul 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: One of the types of missions that it is most likely Irish troops would be sent on in the event of the removal of the triple lock would be an EU-led mission. Would that be fair to say?

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Jul 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Yes, but under a UN mandate. I understand. Would Mr. Andrews be confident that the institutions of the EU, including the treaties, are robust enough to ensure that EU missions without a UN mandate would be human rights compliant and would not be involved in acts of aggression or anything like that?

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Jul 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I am not.

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Jul 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Yes, perfect. My next question is for Ms Boylan. The EU could deploy without a UN mandate but it is bound by its treaties and so on. In her experience, is the EU and its Commission currently abiding by the rules of the treaties?

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Jul 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Is it fair to say, however, that at times the European Commission has not abided by its own treaties? At times, it has disregarded the rules.

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Jul 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Perfect. My next question is for both witnesses. I was unimpressed with Commissioner Kallas's comments. I recognise and am happy to say that her country suffered oppression during the 20th century under the Soviet Union. I have no problem saying that whatsoever, but it was wrong of her to denigrate what was experienced in Ireland. She used that to strike out against Ireland's policy of...

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Jul 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: In this instance, it was specific to neutrality, rather than defence spending.

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Jul 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I am glad to hear that.

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (Resumed) (3 Jul 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: In that context, there is certainly an attitude that it is a questionable policy. Given that EU battle groups can be deployed within five days, do the witnesses think Ireland could come under considerable pressure to deploy as a battle group in the absence of the triple lock?