Results 2,121-2,140 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Dental Services Waiting Lists (20 Feb 2019)

Helen McEntee: The new national oral health policy will be published shortly by the Minister for Health. Its aim is to develop models of care that will emphasise preventive care and prioritise preventive approaches from childhood to old age, support the public, ensure easy access to care and enable people to have the best oral health. Issues such as out of hours, delay and qualification may be addressed....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (20 Feb 2019)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Senator for raising this issue as it gives me an opportunity to outline the position on educational planning in schools on behalf of the Minister for Education and Skills.The Department of Education and Skills recently wrote to the Teachers Union of Ireland and the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland to reiterate to them the importance of planning for pupils with special...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (20 Feb 2019)

Helen McEntee: I reiterate that when we look at the figures we see that in the past seven or eight years there has been an increase of more than 37%. Although we still have more work to do, the Senator will agree this is a significant increase. We have the significant number of 14,000 special education teachers in our schools providing support to students on a daily basis. A total of €1.8 billion...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (20 Feb 2019)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Chair. I would not like my constituents to think I am travelling too much. Travel, however, has definitely increased at the moment. I am delighted to be here again to update the committee on developments. As usual, it has been a very busy time since I was last with the committee in December, not least regarding Brexit. I attended the General Affairs Council yesterday where...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (20 Feb 2019)

Helen McEntee: We are okay on time. We have another 45 minutes owing to the delay in the Dáil. I thank members and the Chairman for their comments and support. Ireland has a unique opportunity to sell itself and otherwise engage with member states and countries across the world on St. Patrick's Day. It is an important opportunity for us to relay the best of what we have to offer in trade,...

Seanad: The Future of Europe and the Value of European Union Membership to Ireland: Statements (5 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Senators for being present and for making time available today an important debate on the future of the European Union. I have to acknowledge that this debate takes place against the backdrop of ongoing uncertainty about Brexit, and rightly so. We are concentrating our efforts on making sure that we are prepared for 29 March and what that brings. I want to take this opportunity...

Seanad: The Future of Europe and the Value of European Union Membership to Ireland: Statements (5 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: I will try to address some of the points that were made. As Senator Horkan pointed out in his contribution, we are here to highlight some of the positives of the EU. I thank Senators for their views, comments, criticisms and positive remarks on the EU. I would be the first to say that the EU is not perfect, but it is the best mechanism we have to deal with the many challenges we face. As...

Seanad: The Future of Europe and the Value of European Union Membership to Ireland: Statements (5 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: Yes, it will be as well as the current plan.

Seanad: The Future of Europe and the Value of European Union Membership to Ireland: Statements (5 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: Yes, absolutely. The conversation we had in terms of the more informal discussion at the General Affairs Council, in particular on the sustainable development goals, is that we would not just look at a European agenda but that there would be a focus on the implementation plans for individual member states as well. It is a two-pronged approach. The overall reasoning behind the document was...

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: I am grateful for the opportunity to comment on the Final Stage of the Bill. Unfortunately, I was not here last week when it was introduced and went through Second Stage. So much of what we have achieved in these negotiations has been due to the absolute support of our member state colleagues in the European Union. I therefore did not think it was appropriate to cancel my visit to meet...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Radio Broadcasting (6 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: I was asked by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Richard Bruton, to address the House to clarify the current position regarding the proposed amendments to the broadcasting levy. I thank the Senator for raising this matter. It is understood throughout this House that local and national radio contribute an enormous amount to our society, not only by...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Radio Broadcasting (6 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: The Minister is very much aware of the urgency of this and we hope the legislation will be moved through the Houses and enacted as soon as possible.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: EU Migration Crisis (6 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Senator for raising what he has rightly described as a serious and important issue. We are all troubled by the persistent and ongoing human rights abominations taking place not only in Libya but in many other places as well. Ihave a script but I will answer the questions. Some of the answers are contained in my prepared response, but it is important to highlight a number of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: EU Migration Crisis (6 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: As the Senator rightly said, this is an extremely complex issue. Libya needs a functioning coastguard to protect its coasts and rescue people in danger at sea. It is absolutely unacceptable that those who are supposed to be working with and supporting these migrants might not be doing so. I call on the Libyan coastguard and authorities to ensure they adhere to international law at all...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (12 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: Brexit poses an unprecedented challenge for Ireland. The ongoing uncertainty we are facing only serves to increase the scale of this challenge as we prepare for several possible outcomes. The potential impact of a no-deal Brexit on Ireland would be severe. Negative impacts would be felt across a range of sectors of the economy, across our regions and by our consumers, farmers and...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (12 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: As I outlined earlier, and as many Senators have stated, the decision of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union has presented Ireland with unprecedented political, economic and diplomatic challenges. Our relation with the UK is unique in its depth and strength. Having joined at the same time, our co-operation, for more than 45 years, has been underpinned by our common EU membership....

Business Insurance: Motion [Private Members] (13 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: I wish to share my time with the Minister of State, Deputy Michael D'Arcy. I thank the Deputies for their contributions on the motion, which was introduced by Fianna Fáil. I thank Deputy Michael McGrath, in particular. The Government, and the Minister in particular, is aware that the issue of the cost and availability of business insurance, particularly employer and public...

Recent Developments on Brexit: Statements (13 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: I too welcome the passing of the Yvette Cooper amendment this evening, albeit by four votes. I think we will see in a few moments the vote on the Prime Minister's motion. Having said that, while MPs have voted to avoid a no-deal, this does not actually prevent a no-deal from happening. As I will have an opportunity in the wrap-up to touch on some other issues, I will focus on our own...

Recent Developments on Brexit: Statements (13 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: I thank all Deputies for their contributions, not only tonight but over the course of what has been a lengthy discussion. If I could correct the record, I said that the Cooper amendment had been passed but in fact it was the Spelman amendment, moved by Ms Yvette Cooper, MP. To begin with the last Deputy's question on an extension, we have always said that we would not stand in the way of...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: I thank Senator Ó Donnghaile for speaking and Senator Conway-Walsh for the amendment.We will, of course, co-operate with all Senators. Our priority and objective throughout the negotiations have been to try to ensure the status quowill continue. Everything we do is to that effect. That applies to industry and other sectors, in particular, the one that is most likely to be impacted on...