Results 2,061-2,080 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

European Union (Common Fisheries Policy) (Point System) Regulations 2018: Motion [Private Members] (23 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: I thank Deputy Gallagher and the other Deputies concerned for providing me with the opportunity to update the House on certain matters relating to the European Union (Common Fisheries Policy) (Point System) Regulations 2018, SI 89 of 2018. Nine years ago, following a European Court of Auditors review on the enforcement of fisheries law, it was agreed by Ministers at EU level that a...

UK Withdrawal from the European Union: Statements (24 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: I am pleased to have the opportunity to make some closing remarks. I will start by agreeing with Deputy Lisa Chambers in that we are very lucky to have such a wonderful team working with us and on our behalf at the Irish Embassy in Brussels. We also have great people at all of our embassies throughout the remainder of the EU and across the various Departments here. Like all of us in this...

Topical Issue Debates: Diplomatic Representation (24 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: I thank Deputy Wallace for raising this issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Tánaiste, who sends his apologies. Ireland's diplomatic and consular network is at the forefront of efforts to promote our political and economic interests and values and provide important services to the Irish people and business community. At present, there are 80 embassies, consulates, and...

Topical Issue Debates: Diplomatic Representation (24 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: I see that the factors raised by the Deputy possibly warrant a reopening of the resident embassy in Teheran. Iran is a very important regional actor. We want to understand their policies and influence them, but there are also a number of strongly negative aspects to Iranian's actions. These include regional conflicts, missile development and human rights issues. Iran's role in Syria and...

Topical Issue Debates: Diplomatic Representation (24 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: A lot of work is being done in terms of developing our diplomatic network, and the question of reopening a residency in Iran is not completely out of the question. It will be considered in the overall Global Footprint 2025 expansion.

Topical Issue Debates: Animal Welfare (24 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: Yes.

Topical Issue Debates: Animal Welfare (24 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: I apologise for the Deputy not being informed about who would respond to this matter. If the response does not answer some of the questions asked, I will certainly bring this back to the Minister and relay the concerns to him. The bovine viral diarrhoea, BVD, eradication programme undertaken by Animal Health Ireland was developed following an extensive consultation exercise. Animal...

Topical Issue Debates: Animal Welfare (24 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: I note the Deputy's point that the level of animal death has increased since the programme was introduced in 2012. I also note her point as to who was consulted in the extensive consultation process. I will discuss the matters with the Minister, Deputy Creed, and ask him to come back to the Deputy directly.

Report on Building Standards, Building Controls and Consumer Protection: Motion (24 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputies for the report tabled this evening which addresses an area of fundamental concern that has a direct impact on the daily lives of many people living in the State. I reiterate the sentiments of the Minister for Housing Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy. Stronger compliance with building standards has been a key priority for Government and has manifested...

Referendum of 25 May: Statements (Resumed) (31 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: I always have and always will respect that there are different views, beliefs and opinions on this issue, however, the outcome on Saturday and the resounding "Yes" from the people of Ireland to repeal the eighth amendment was one of the proudest moments for me in over five years that I have been in this House. As a citizen of Ireland, it represents a seismic shift and change in our society,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (13 Jun 2018)

Helen McEntee: I thank the committee for the invite. As always, I am delighted to be here. It has been a particularly busy period since we last met. There have been many developments and so as mentioned by the Chairman I will confine my remarks to the four key areas. If there are other areas on which members have questions I am happy to deal with them in the questions and answers session. As...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (13 Jun 2018)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Chair. I will come back with responses and the members can read them later. I will address Senator Neale Richmond's comments first. The increased commitment to the MFF does not identify what we are talking about in respect of that commitment and where that funding will go. The overall negotiations are only starting to take place. Senator Richmond's suggestions on increased...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (13 Jun 2018)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Senator for his comments. Michel Barnier, the task force and the 26 other member states have already recognised that Northern Ireland is a unique scenario. That is why we have the Irish protocol. It is why the Irish issue was one of the three key issues in phase one and continues to be one of the key issues being discussed. It will be probably the main issue for discussion at...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (13 Jun 2018)

Helen McEntee: Ireland's future is very much at the heart of Europe. Europe is very much at the heart of Irish citizens' future and that will not change.

Pre-European Council: Statements (27 Jun 2018)

Helen McEntee: As the Taoiseach indicated, I will address the other issues on the agenda of the European Council this week, including the multi-annual financial framework, MFF, innovation and digital, and the external relations items. We are making statements today, but next week Deputies will have the opportunity to ask questions on many of these issues. The European Commission has now published detailed...

European Council: Statements (4 Jul 2018)

Helen McEntee: In his statement, the Taoiseach spoke in some detail about the European Council's discussions on Brexit, migration, jobs, growth and competitiveness, and economic and monetary union. As he indicated, I will now speak about some of the other items discussed by Heads of State and Government, including the multi-annual financial framework, MFF, digital and innovation issues, and the enlargement...

European Council: Statements (4 Jul 2018)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputies for their questions. I might comment on a couple of issues raised throughout the debate.

European Council: Statements (4 Jul 2018)

Helen McEntee: I have been told I cannot do a wrap up as part of this. There is another Minister doing the wrap up while I am taking the questions. I might have to come back to Deputy O'Sullivan on the Cuba question, if that is okay.

European Council: Statements (4 Jul 2018)

Helen McEntee: I apologise. Syria was not discussed at the most recent European Council but was discussed at the February Council. Ireland is extremely concerned by what is happening and has continued to provide aid to support those affected in Syria. We have provided €110 million since the conflict started albeit we would like to do more. We are working with our European counterparts. We regret...

European Council: Statements (4 Jul 2018)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for his comments and questions. First, in terms of enlargement, Ireland has been consistently a supporter of the enlargement process, something which would have transcended Governments, given how it has transformed itself significantly through membership of the European Union over the past 45 years. There are three states, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro in...