Results 2,161-2,180 of 5,034 for speaker:Billy Timmins
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements. (18 Jun 2008)
Billy Timmins: I, too, am disappointed by the result of the referendum on the Lisbon treaty. Fine Gael strongly supported a "Yes" vote because it believed it was in the interest of Ireland's citizens and those of the Union. However, 800,000 voted against the treaty and it is important we recognise, by word and deed, that it was defeated. The people voted "No" and their decision must be respected. I...
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements. (18 Jun 2008)
Billy Timmins: We have been left in a certain stage of paralysis. The Government must acknowledge and represent the views of the people who voted "No" and must protect Ireland's interests in the months ahead, as we try to ascertain how this will affect us.
- Lisbon Treaty. (18 Jun 2008)
Billy Timmins: Question 62: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the role the Government played in the Lisbon treaty campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23886/08]
- Lisbon Treaty. (18 Jun 2008)
Billy Timmins: I tabled this question before the result of the referendum became known. I would have much preferred if the result was otherwise but it is important to recognise the result. I hope my supplementary questions are taken in the context in which they are asked. Is it difficult for the Minister to operate within the parameters of the McKenna judgment when dealing with a referendum? From the...
- Lisbon Treaty. (18 Jun 2008)
Billy Timmins: The forum on Europe presented a very good information booklet which I acknowledge. Does the Minister envisage a change in the legislation dealing with the Referendum Commission? Will the commission continue and should it begin its work earlier in a campaign? In fairness to the commission, the subject was complex and there are time constraints. We need to consider changing the legislation,...
- Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)
Billy Timmins: Question 64: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he last had contact with the South African ambassador to Ireland; the recent contacts the Irish Ambassador to South Africa has had with the authorities there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23887/08]
- Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)
Billy Timmins: The Minister has fallen on his feet since he went into his new job, notwithstanding the result of the Lisbon treaty referendum. Did the Minister say in his reply that he will be meeting with the seven resident African ambassadors shortly?
- Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)
Billy Timmins: On what date will that meeting take place? I do not know if the Minister got the chance to have much of a discussion with the South African ambassador this morning. It is imperative that he contact her as soon as possible because the events unfolding in Zimbabwe are a disgrace. Is the Minister aware that Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change wrote to South African...
- Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)
Billy Timmins: I am conscious of that. Will the Minister outline the contents of his most recent communication with the South African ambassador?
- Foreign Conflicts. (18 Jun 2008)
Billy Timmins: I refer to Ireland's ambassador to South Africa.
- Overseas Development Aid. (18 Jun 2008)
Billy Timmins: Question 66: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has plans to re-evaluate the allocation of Irish Aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23889/08]
- Overseas Development Aid. (18 Jun 2008)
Billy Timmins: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Power, for his reply. I wish him well in his appointment. I also wish the Minister, Deputy Martin, well â I did not mention that at the outset. Irish Aid is granted a great deal of money amounting to â¬814 million this year from his Department, or â¬914 million across all Departments. Irish Aid will come under the microscope increasingly to...
- Overseas Development Aid. (18 Jun 2008)
Billy Timmins: There are two issues that I want the Minister of State to look at â these are only small in monetary terms. The first is the issue of the cost incurred by persons going to assist in aid projects in getting visas from the embassies. For example, the Indian embassy, the one with which I am familiar, charges for a visa. It is not much, but the sum might provide much benefit in the country...
- World Trade Negotiations. (18 Jun 2008)
Billy Timmins: The Minister should change his script writer.
- World Trade Negotiations. (18 Jun 2008)
Billy Timmins: I have no further questions for the Minister.
- Overseas Development Aid. (18 Jun 2008)
Billy Timmins: Have personnel from the rapid response unit been deployed to Burma? If the Minister of State does not have the information with him now he can foward it to me later. Did the supplies we dispatched from Brindisi and the Curragh go to the Burmese authorities or to NGOs?
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Billy Timmins: There are four and a half now.
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Billy Timmins: I thank all Members who have contributed to the debate thus far and have some initial questions for the Minister. Although I appreciate he stated we were in uncharted waters, I believe he also stated we would arrive in a safe harbour. While I admire his confidence, he should explain how he proposes to arrive in a safe harbour if we are in uncharted waters. I seek confirmation of a few...
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Billy Timmins: I refer to the other 26 countries and a scenario in which the Minister tells them that Ireland has decided the sovereign decision has been made by the people who wish to operate under the existing rules and institutions as laid down in the second Nice treaty. Can the Minister indicate how other countries might react or respond to this? While I have heard much talk of renegotiation, the...
- Lisbon Treaty: Statements (Resumed) (18 Jun 2008)
Billy Timmins: Members know from what harbour the Titanic left.