Results 1,501-1,520 of 3,043 for speaker:Colm Brophy

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (24 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: Although the Horn of Africa has seen some positive developments in recent years, internal conflict, weak governance and historically strained relations between neighbours persist. Fragile political transitions and peace processes are taking place against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is affecting the entire region politically, economically and socially and adding to the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (24 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: We know from many examples that rates of violence against women and girls rise significantly during conflict and crisis. Ireland has stayed the course and continued funding protection in protracted crises. Some of these have seen women and children trapped in limbo in camps for decades, as in the case of Somali refugee camps in northern Kenya. Protection is more important than ever before....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (24 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: Access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation is a precondition for success in the fight against poverty, hunger, child deaths and gender inequality, and has taken on a renewed importance since COVID-19 emerged. Water system management is critical to establishing sustainable food systems, and Ireland will work to ensure that this is discussed at next year's Food Systems Summit. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (24 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: Ireland is a long-standing advocate for these issues, including at the EU and the UN. For example, in 2016, Ireland co-facilitated the UN Summit on Refugees and Migrants. This Summit agreed the New York Declaration, which led to the Global Compact for Refugees and the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. In October, Minister Coveney addressed the Executive Committee of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (19 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: Sixty years ago this year, Ireland opened its first African diplomatic Mission as part of a drive to strengthen ties with African countries, especially those that had recently won their independence. Today our presence has grown to twelve Embassies across the continent of Africa, including in Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia in West Africa. In 2019, the Government launched...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Constitutional Amendments (19 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: The Government is committed to holding a referendum on extending the franchise at Presidential elections to Irish citizens living outside the State.  We have restored the Thirty-Ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Presidential Elections) Bill to the Dáil Order Paper.   The date for the holding of the referendum will be decided once the legislation has been approved by the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Budget 2021 (17 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: A Better World, the Government's policy for international development, establishes gender equality as a policy priority, specifically identifying response to, and prevention of, gender-based violence (GBV) as a key focus. Ireland is consistently among those OECD countries with the highest proportion of official development assistance (ODA) invested yearly in gender equality measures. In...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (17 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: Recent developments in Nigeria, including credible allegations of the use of excessive force against protesters, are of great concern, in particular the violence of 20 October in Lagos. Armed men in military-style attire fired towards a group of protesters in the Lekki area of Lagos, using live ammunition. The number of casualties remains unclear, but reports have claimed that at least 12...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Search and Rescue Service Provision (12 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: I will ensure that she receives a copy. It is important to listen to what people are saying, as the Deputy pointed out. I will reiterate a couple of the points I made in my reply, as she may not have taken them on board the first time. Personnel from the Department of Defence and members of the Air Corps are key stakeholders in the steering group that is progressing this contract....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Search and Rescue Service Provision (12 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: I wish to take the opportunity to reply on behalf of the Minister for Defence, who is unfortunately unable to be present in the Chamber due to previous commitments. He has asked me to respond to this matter and to highlight the important role played by the Defence Forces, including the Air Corps, in supporting a wide range of public-facing services. I thank the Deputy for raising the issue...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (11 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: The Department of Foreign Affairs enables participation by Irish citizens in overseas election observation missions organised by the EU and the OSCE through nomination of volunteers from our Election Observation Roster. The current, five-year roster was established on the basis of an open, competitive application process in 2018, using a competency framework for ranking in line with Public...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (10 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: Since the restriction measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic were implemented in March 2020, Ireland has not nominated observers to participate in international election observation missions. Due to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the OSCE suspended standard election observation missions (EOMs). The OSCE EOM to North Macedonia which had commenced activities on 1 March 2020...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Regional Airports (6 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: I thank Senators Chambers and Murphy for providing an opportunity to speak about the Government's plans for the continuing support for Ireland West Airport Knock through the Covid crisis. I am happy to speak today on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton. At this stage there can be no doubt about the impacts of Covid-19 on the aviation industry and the knock-on effects...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Regional Airports (6 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: I acknowledge the Senators' comments. We have listened carefully to them. To give further assurance, the Government understands absolutely the intrinsic value of airports such as Ireland West Airport Knock to our economy, particularly in facilitating tourism and economic activity. We acknowledge in particular the difficulties facing our airports and the wider aviation industry at present....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Recycling Policy (6 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: I thank my party colleagues, Senators Buttimer and Burke, for raising this issue. I am delighted to have an opportunity to reply on behalf my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan. In September, the Minister launched the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, which sets out an ambitious new roadmap for waste planning and management and seeks to shift the focus away from waste...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Recycling Policy (6 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: I acknowledge the contribution of both Senators and will relay their points to the Minister.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Election Monitoring Missions (6 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: As the Senator noted, the Department maintains an election observation roster comprising highly qualified volunteers who are competitively selected. The roster is a demonstration of Ireland's contribution to the promotion of democracy, human rights and the rule of law as a member of the EU and the OSCE. Roster members are expected to discharge their responsibilities to a high standard....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Election Monitoring Missions (6 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: I will start by putting something immediately on record. There is not something rotten going on. That is a regrettable choice of words by Senator Mullen. It is a key cornerstone of the way in which we operate that we are conscious of ensuring the well-being and safety of members of the Irish roster when selected. We are also conscious of ensuring the safety and health of everyone in our...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Election Monitoring Missions (6 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: Other countries have different ways of doing things. The Government in this country puts the health and safety of our citizens first.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Issues (3 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: The Government is committed to holding a referendum on extending the franchise at Presidential elections to Irish citizens living outside the State. We have restored the Thirty-Ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Presidential Elections) Bill to the Dáil Order Paper. The date for the holding of the referendum will be decided once the legislation has been approved by the Oireachtas.