Results 2,161-2,180 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Political Dialogue and Co-operation Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Cuba: Motion (13 Jun 2019)

Helen McEntee: Our relationship is very warm. Based on trade between the two countries, Ireland is Cuba's 24th most important trading partner. While we are not very high in the list, Europe is very high. We can do much more in increasing that figure. People-to-people relationships and contacts have increased considerably in recent years with the President visiting in 2017. The Cuban vice-Minister for...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Political Dialogue and Co-operation Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Cuba: Motion (13 Jun 2019)

Helen McEntee: We would all agree that we can learn something from each other. We can certainly learn from Cuba and they can learn from us. That is why it is important not just for Irish-Cuban relations but for EU-Cuban relations as well. On the timelines, it is true that 20 other member states have ratified this already. There are still some that have not, so we are not exactly last. One of the...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (Resumed) (19 Jun 2019)

Helen McEntee: The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Simon Coveney, is from Cork.

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (Resumed) (19 Jun 2019)

Helen McEntee: I thank Deputies for their comments. In response to Deputy Mattie McGrath's contribution, we are investing millions in the Project Ireland 2040 plan which, in the main, is focused outside Dublin. We are investing billions of euro in the roll-out of broadband to rural Ireland.

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (Resumed) (19 Jun 2019)

Helen McEntee: The most recent Action Plan for Jobs is a regional action plan which is producing and creating jobs outside Dublin, Cork, Galway and other major towns and cities. We are investing substantially in rural Ireland. I will refrain from commenting further and confine my remarks to statements on the pre-European Council meetings which I have just attended and the meeting which the Taoiseach will...

Post-European Council: Statements (26 Jun 2019)

Helen McEntee: I will start with Deputy Haughey's questions. On the question of Brexit and a no-deal scenario, as he said, this poses both great economic threats and great political threats to North-South relationships and our east-west relationships with the UK. We have set a very clear benchmark as to why the backstop is necessary. It is there to protect the Good Friday Agreement, the areas of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (26 Jun 2019)

Helen McEntee: 97. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the number of special needs assistants in a school (details supplied) is being reduced from four to three; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27047/19]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Conditions (26 Jun 2019)

Helen McEntee: 186. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the ongoing investigation into Guillain-Barre syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27141/19]

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (27 Jun 2019)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. All Deputies recognise the vital service that MABS provides to people at the most vulnerable times in their lives, right across the State. Every Member has engaged with the service at some stage, representing our constituents. The Bill, however, is ill-timed and simplistic in its approach to the separation of MABS from the Citizens...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Airport Promotion (4 Jul 2019)

Helen McEntee: On behalf of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, I thank Deputy Dooley for raising this matter today. I pass on the Minister's apologies. Shannon Airport, established by statute in September 2014, is a strategic business within Shannon Group. It is a commercial state company whose purpose is to promote and facilitate air transport and aviation services in and...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Airport Promotion (4 Jul 2019)

Helen McEntee: I do not doubt that there are committed staff at the airport who are working hard and who, like the Government, want to ensure its viability. As the Deputy indicated, the separation from the DAA in 2012 was not forced but it has brought about significant challenges and, in particular, competition, not just with Dublin Airport but also with the smaller regional airports. Given its size,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Irish Coast Guard Issues (4 Jul 2019)

Helen McEntee: I thank Deputy Ó Cuív for raising this matter and for his interest in it. The Minister cannot be present - the Deputy can take that as he will - but I will be as helpful as I can in my response. I acknowledge the work of the Coast Guard and its teams. The job they do is often difficult and challenging. I appreciate the need for a new permanent Coast Guard base at Cleggan. As...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Irish Coast Guard Issues (4 Jul 2019)

Helen McEntee: Not knowing enough about this specific case, I can appreciate from the Deputy's response that it has been ongoing for some time. Clearly, there is a need for a structure, which the Government acknowledges. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, as part of the Coast Guard's multi-annual building programme, which is funded through that Department, has included a provision for a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Living Wage Implementation (4 Jul 2019)

Helen McEntee: We should not confuse the living wage with the national minimum wage. They are very different. The living wage is an estimate made by a number of NGOs and academics who make up the self-appointed living wage technical group. It does not engage with business or many other groups. Its work is based on research to identify the income required to have the minimum essential standard of living...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Living Wage Implementation (4 Jul 2019)

Helen McEntee: There is a need to strike a balance. The living wage technical group comprises representatives of NGOs and academics. It does not engage with the business sector. To strike the right balance, that engagement needs to take place. On the basis of engagement, we have made sure the national minimum wage has been increased in the past four years. It has been increased by 13.3%. If a...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Autism Support Services (4 Jul 2019)

Helen McEntee: I will answer to the best of my ability. Where I cannot answer today, I will certainly respond later to the Senator. We all work with parents and try to provide the best care while ensuring that all students are given access to the supports they need and that are relevant and appropriate for them in any type of school. It is important to note that the Government is committed to that, as is...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Autism Support Services (4 Jul 2019)

Helen McEntee: I will have to respond later to the Senator regarding the funding of specific organisations. It is not something I can comment on now. Organisations throughout the country, including in my constituency of Meath East, do fantastic work supporting parents, families, teachers, schools and young children with autism. It is important to acknowledge that and support them where we can. Regarding...

Brexit Contingency Action Plan: Statements (11 Jul 2019)

Helen McEntee: As the Tánaiste outlined and has been reflected in Deputies’ contributions, Brexit represents a unique and unprecedented challenge for Ireland. As Deputy Shortall outlined, significant uncertainty remains. The political uncertainty in London means that there is a significant risk of a no-deal Brexit. It is not certain that the United Kingdom will seek a further extension or...

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (18 Sep 2019)

Helen McEntee: It is all there.

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (18 Sep 2019)

Helen McEntee: We do. We know there are going to be job losses in the North.