Results 2,181-2,200 of 15,389 for speaker:Helen McEntee

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

Helen McEntee: As the Tánaiste outlined at the beginning of this session, and as many speakers have agreed, there is a significant risk of a no-deal Brexit on 31 October, particularly given the prevailing political uncertainty in London. We are, however, hopeful and are working towards positive engagement between the EU and the UK throughout the next few weeks. The UK has said it has difficulties...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Statements (1 Oct 2019)

Helen McEntee: It is good to be back in the refurbished Seanad and I wish everyone well for the new session. I thank all Members for their contributions this afternoon. It is very clear we all share the same concerns and, for the most part, we have the same objectives in addressing those concerns. As we get ever closer to a possible no-deal position on Brexit on 31 October, it is essential we continue to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State (2 Oct 2019)

Helen McEntee: I thank the members for their assistance with the time challenges today. I will try to be as brief as possible but I will be back before the committee again so if there is something we do not cover we will have an opportunity to do so again. I thank the committee for the invitation to address it and to outline what will be on the agenda of the General Affairs Council as well as where we...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State (2 Oct 2019)

Helen McEntee: I will respond to the Deputy's comments first as he has to leave. There has been significant investment, not just in Dublin Port but in Rosslare and the airports also. It has allowed for new customs bays, new inspection bays and new parking spaces. Moreover, additional staff have been hired; additional space has been bought and permanent infrastructure put in place. Not all of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State (2 Oct 2019)

Helen McEntee: I acknowledge the ambassadors and our guests too.

Financial Resolutions 2019 - Financial Resolution No. 9: General (Resumed) (9 Oct 2019)

Helen McEntee: As many have outlined, the budget has been framed in the context of the worst possible outcome of Brexit, a no-deal Brexit. This is a prudent and sensible approach. While we are all working to deliver a Brexit deal, we must prepare for the worst. To do anything else, as Opposition parties appear to have suggested, would be irresponsible and foolish in the current climate. Budget 2020...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Army Barracks Closures (9 Oct 2019)

Helen McEntee: My apologies for being late. First, I convey the apologies from the Minister of State at the Department of Defence, Deputy Kehoe, who cannot be here this morning as he has a prior engagement with Defence Forces personnel who are about to represent Ireland at the World Military Games. I wish them well. In 2011, a Government decision was taken to proceed with the closure of four military...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Army Barracks Closures (9 Oct 2019)

Helen McEntee: The Senator has brought together two separate issues. In terms of Brexit, our sole focus and priority is to prevent the introduction of Border infrastructure and prevent the need for personnel to be deployed along or anywhere near the Border because we know what happened in the past and that the threat is very real if that were to be the case. I cannot say why an announcement that was made...

Pre-European Council: Statements (16 Oct 2019)

Helen McEntee: I also welcome the delegation and our visitors. This week's meeting of the European Council comes at an important time for many reasons. The institutions are renewing themselves and now leaders have an opportunity this week to set the direction of the EU for the years ahead. The Taoiseach has already outlined his expectations for the discussions on the implementation of the strategic...

Developments in Spain: Statements (22 Oct 2019)

Helen McEntee: The Government follows closely developments in Spain, which is an important EU partner and friend of Ireland. I know some Members of this House have visited Catalonia and their perspectives contribute to our consideration here this evening. Irish people know Spain, and, indeed, Catalonia, well. After Britain, Spain is the country to which we travel most. Furthermore, cities and towns...

Developments in Spain: Statements (22 Oct 2019)

Helen McEntee: I thank all the Deputies for their contributions this evening. As I said in my opening remarks, the question of Catalan independence remains a deeply divisive and contentious issue, not just in Catalonia but in all of Spain. It is very clear from the contributions that what is happening in Spain and Catalonia matters to each and every one of us in this Chamber and beyond, for reasons I have...

Child Maintenance: Motion (22 Oct 2019)

Helen McEntee: A range of important issues have been raised throughout the course of this debate, including the social welfare system for supporting families, the legal system and the Courts Service, and how they impact on family lives. We have heard about the people whom we are all here to help and to support. The issue has been raised of creating some type of maintenance agency, but many countries...

Post-European Council Meetings: Statements (23 Oct 2019)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputies for their questions. On Deputy Haughey's question regarding the enlargement discussion, I was very disappointed that not only the European Council but the General Affairs Council had difficulty reaching a unanimous decision to open up accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania. I was particularly disappointed because we had this same discussion last June,...

Post-European Council Meetings: Statements (23 Oct 2019)

Helen McEntee: My understanding is that legally they do not have to meet and that this can be addressed by way of letter but whether other member states might request a meeting or a summit has yet to be determined. There may be a meeting between now and next Thursday. In regard to Catalonia, I do not know if the Taoiseach raised this issue. I am sure that he has had conversations with his colleague in...

Post-European Council Meetings: Statements (23 Oct 2019)

Helen McEntee: I thank both Deputies. On views on the length of an extension, my understanding is they have sought an extension for the next three months and that is what we are responding to. From our point of view, no counter-proposals or conditions were expressed in the Taoiseach's conversation with Donald Tusk but again, I can only speak for us. I cannot speak for other member states or the...

Post-European Council Meetings: Statements (23 Oct 2019)

Helen McEntee: At the moment what we have is a minimal amount of checks in the ports and airports in Northern Ireland. There will be further checks, obviously kept at a minimum, to the level required by the Commission and those who are upholding the letter of the law and the Single Market. There will be a certain level of checks, again that will be kept to a minimum, to ensure that any goods that are...

Post-European Council Meetings: Statements (23 Oct 2019)

Helen McEntee: They will be done at the ports and airports and there will be-----

Post-European Council Meetings: Statements (23 Oct 2019)

Helen McEntee: I think some of that has to be still worked out at this stage but there will be officials at the ports in Northern Ireland, so they would be Northern Ireland officials. As to it being overseen, as I have said in terms of the Single Market and alignment, there is talk of various bodies but also the ECJ, if it gets to that point. It is important to say that from our point of view and,...

Post-European Council Meetings: Statements (23 Oct 2019)

Helen McEntee: The detail has been published, in that we have the new drafts of how this protocol will work, but there is further detail still to be worked out.

Post-European Council Meetings: Statements (23 Oct 2019)

Helen McEntee: The Commission accepts that what is being proposed can be followed through and worked through and that we can protect the integrity of our Single Market but also that Northern Ireland will remain part of the territorial integrity of the rest of the UK, which has been extremely important throughout all of this. On the cross-community element, what is different here is that now we are...