Results 2,081-2,100 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Implications of Brexit for Irish Ports: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (11 Jul 2018)

Helen McEntee: On behalf of the Government I thank the Deputies for their contributions on Ireland's transport network and the importance of maintaining and enhancing our connectivity with the rest of Europe, especially in the context of the UK departure from the European Union and Brexit. While I share the Sinn Féin concern about Brexit implicit in its countermotion, the Government will not on...

Brexit Negotiations: Statements (25 Sep 2018)

Helen McEntee: The UK's departure from the EU poses a unique and unprecedented challenge for Ireland. The depth and strength of the ties between our islands, across so many areas, means that our relationship is unique. This relationship has only been enhanced and deepened by both countries' membership of the European Union. The complexity of the UK's departure and the scale of the challenge it presents...

Brexit Negotiations: Statements (25 Sep 2018)

Helen McEntee: I will conclude by reiterating a couple of points and by trying to address the many points raised by many of the Deputies. Time is running short. We have all agreed on that and acknowledged it. The efforts in the negotiations will, however, be redoubled and intensified in the coming weeks. We need to see the successful completion of negotiations by the end of the period. The October...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (26 Sep 2018)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Chairman and committee members for their invitation to this meeting. It is important that we meet every few months because it give us an opportunity to engage on the relevant issues. I join the Chairman in acknowledging the importance of languages. Having spent the past year engaging with students, universities and with our European colleagues, I recognise that the development...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (26 Sep 2018)

Helen McEntee: I will reply to the questions in reverse order and respond to those who are present. In response to what Senator Craughwell said about a hard Brexit, we are doing everything in our power to avoid that. It is the last scenario we want to happen. In terms of contingency planning, we are planning and we have started recruitment. Last week the Cabinet gave approval to begin recruiting...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (26 Sep 2018)

Helen McEntee: It is an issue that has been raised continuously. While we cannot deal with some future relationships, we can discuss the challenges, of which the land bridge is particularly notable. The European Commission, the United Kingdom and member states are well aware of it and trying to address it. On the overall budget, with our colleagues in Belgium, we have referred to the need for...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Partnership and Co-operation Agreement between the European Union and Republic of Kazakhstan: Motion (23 Oct 2018)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Vice Chair and members for giving me the opportunity to discuss the motion referred to the select committee for consideration. The motion Dáil Éireann has been asked to approve reads:That Dáil Éireann approves the terms of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Partnership and Co-operation Agreement between the European Union and Republic of Kazakhstan: Motion (23 Oct 2018)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Chairman and members for their comments and questions. I will respond first to the comments made by Deputy Barrett. I agree with him that we need to look further afield. If anything, Brexit highlights that sometimes we rely on our neighbours more than we thought we did. Certainly, while our closest neighbours within the EU will continue to be our largest market, providing us...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Partnership and Co-operation Agreement between the European Union and Republic of Kazakhstan: Motion (23 Oct 2018)

Helen McEntee: Absolutely. To answer the question about whether supports have ever been stopped, I am not aware of that happening. There are sanctions on Turkey and Russia, but even with sanctions in place we have always continued to engage with countries. The EU was established and developed on the basis of dialogue. It is underpinned by the key fundamentals of democracy, human rights, freedom of...

Post-European Council Meetings: Statements (24 Oct 2018)

Helen McEntee: I thank Members for their contributions and questions. On approaches to migration and its root causes, the Taoiseach addressed this in his speech today and when he presented to his European colleagues at the Council meeting last week. Africa has come under the heading of external relations as well as migration. We need to acknowledge that our relationship with Africa should not be...

Post-European Council Meetings: Statements (24 Oct 2018)

Helen McEntee: This issue has been raised on a number of occasions in the European Council and at the General Affairs Council, specifically after the death of the Maltese journalist. It has been raised in a number of formats with regard to freedom of speech and the right to freedom of dissemination of information and in terms of human rights violations and regulations. In any of these cases we encourage...

Brexit: Motion (21 Nov 2018)

Helen McEntee: The path to this important juncture in the negotiation process has not been easy. As the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and many people in this House have stated, there is still a lot of work ahead. The solidarity and support of our EU partners have been hallmarks of this process and have been unwavering and consistent throughout all the twists and turns that have occurred so far. I have...

Seanad: Brexit: Motion (22 Nov 2018)

Helen McEntee: Last week EU and UK negotiators completed work on a draft agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, including the draft protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. This was followed by approval by Prime Minister May and her Cabinet of the draft agreement as an acceptable basis on which to proceed. On Sunday the Taoiseach will join other EU 27 leaders at a...

Seanad: Brexit: Motion (22 Nov 2018)

Helen McEntee: I thank Senators for their contributions. We often discuss the solidarity of the 26 member states and how important that has been throughout the negotiations, but the solidarity in this House, the Lower House and throughout Ireland has been particularly important in addressing the Brexit challenge and that has been clearly demonstrated in today’s contributions. The Government has...

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (29 Nov 2018)

Helen McEntee: Deputy Mattie McGrath should speak to the amendment.

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (29 Nov 2018)

Helen McEntee: It is completely inappropriate.

Seanad: Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018: Report and Final Stages (5 Dec 2018)

Helen McEntee: I would like to make a short statement on the Government's overall position, addressing the Bill as a whole. While understanding the motivation and intentions of the proponents of the Bill, the Government is opposed to the Bill for the reasons set out in detail by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he spoke on Second Stage. The first and essential reason is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Discussion (5 Dec 2018)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Chairman for the opportunity to update the committee on the work I am doing. It is quite a lengthy update as it has been a busy period since we met last September. I ask members to indulge me and allow me to go through my statement. I am happy to take questions afterwards. This month’s General Affairs Council meeting, which takes place next Tuesday, will focus on a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Discussion (5 Dec 2018)

Helen McEntee: A great deal has happened. Before we rise for Christmas, I want to thank the Chairman, his team at the committee and the committee members for their support throughout the year. I wish them a happy Christmas and new year.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Discussion (5 Dec 2018)

Helen McEntee: I thank the members for their questions; if I forget any or skip any it is not intentional. Please let me know if I do. Senator Craughwell asked about Brexit and the concept of the hard border. As we have said throughout this entire process, and in particular over the past year, our preparation for all possible outcomes has increased. This ranges from the best possible outcome, where we...