Results 2,781-2,800 of 2,802 for speaker:Colm Brophy

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Overseas Development Aid (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I have a reply to read on behalf of the Minister but the Deputy knows what the Minister would say. I want to talk as someone who held the job. There is only one disagreement I have with what the Deputy has said. He said that hundreds of thousands of lives are at risk. I think it is millions. I have seen these issues at first hand. I have...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Overseas Development Aid (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Deputy. He makes the valid point that while what has happened with USAID is the most impactful, we have also seen impacts in the range of countries that have reduced their aid budgets, including the UK. At the heart of what we do has always been the process of reaching the furthest behind first. We target our ODA on that basis. The Government is committed to that approach and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I welcome the opportunity to discuss the topic to which it relates on behalf of the Minister for Transport. I also very much welcome the opportunity to do so because the Senator and I live in the same constituency. I know exactly the condition of the roads mentioned and very much agree with the points made her. Road opening licences are...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Projects (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: Again, I reassure the Senator that the appropriate standards and timeframes for opening up are in place. I fully take on board the Senator’s comments and will also pass on to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, her remarks on the experience so many people have when they are looking at what they believe to be incomplete reinstatements after roadworks.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Senator. I am replying to him on behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for international road transport, logistics, rail and ports, Deputy Canney. The Senator has done a lot of work on this issue, which he has raised on a number of occasions. As I have no doubt he is aware, the final report of the all-island strategic rail review, which was undertaken by the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Rail Network (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I have no doubt the Senator will do that as he has made the case very well today. I will report that back to the Minister. We have made good progress on several projects across the rail network in recent years, including in the west. These include upgrades at Ceannt Station in Galway city, which are under way and scheduled to be completed next year. In addition, a new platform and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Control of Firearms (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: The Minister would like to thank the Senator for raising this important matter. As she mentioned in her contribution, the responsibility for firearms policy and legislation rests with the Department of Justice. As issues arise or changes in EU legislation occur, the Minister and departmental officials engage with individual firearms representative organisations and other stakeholders as...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Control of Firearms (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: While the licensing of firearms holders is not carried out by the Department of Justice, the Minister recognises and acknowledges the dedication and responsibility of firearm owners and also their contribution to conservation in rural communities.The Minister and the Department are committed to engaging with relevant stakeholders on any potential policy or legislative changes in these areas....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Insurance Industry (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I convey the apologies of my colleague, the Minister, Jim O'Callaghan, who regrets that he cannot be here because he unfortunately has another commitment at this time. He has asked me to reply to Senator Nelson Murray and to thank her for raising this important issue, which I know is very important to her.The Senator has been one of the strongest advocates on this matter. I appreciate her...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Insurance Industry (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I will convey, as I know she will directly convey, the Senator's views and what she has said to the Minister. I listened closely to the points she raised. I am aware of the view expressed by some stakeholders that the proposed increase will have the effect of increasing premiums. I fully take on board the issues and considerations the Senator has raised. They are very important. However,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: EU Budgets (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Senator and again apologise that the Minister is not available to reply to him directly. I will reply on his behalf. The European Union budget, the MFF, as the Senator knows, currently runs until 2027. The current MFF was agreed in 2020 at the height of the Covid pandemic, which left a very clear mark on that framework.Most notably, alongside the MFF, the Next Generation EU...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: EU Budgets (8 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I will, of course, convey the Senator’s views to the Minister. I will take a moment to acknowledge the European Movement Ireland survey. It is a very interesting survey. As a Chair of the Committee on European Union Affairs for two and a half years, I found European Movement Ireland to be an organisation that does incredibly good work in terms of promoting engagement and civic...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Protection (15 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Deputy. I wish to start by also expressing my sympathy and condolences to Garda Flatley's family, colleagues and the community. It is a very sad occasion in which we are taking these questions here today, and they put a lot of things in context. The Government has brought significant focus to addressing a range of complex systemic pressures within our international...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Protection (15 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: It important to note that the IPAS has grown rapidly and by more than 400%. It is important to note there is extensive oversight of all aspects of accommodation, the commissioning process and all the processes that have been improved incrementally over the past three years. Regarding appraisal of providers, my Department carries out due diligence on accommodation being contracted, including...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Protection (15 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: It is important to say that standard procedures have been developed and documented for all aspects of the process. There is full transparency from the Department in terms of providers receiving payments. Details of payments over €20,000 are published quarterly online on gov.ie.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Protection (15 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: There is full detail and transparency within the process.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Family Reunification (15 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: Migrant workers make an enormous contribution to the Irish economy and society. It is a central priority for me, as Minister for State with responsibility for migration, that our immigrations laws are fair and efficient. An important part of this is having clear legal pathways for workers and their families. My Department’s policy document for Non-EEA family reunification, which...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Family Reunification (15 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: It is under review and I want to see that concluded as soon as possible and be able to come back on this. I take on board what the Deputy said but it is important that we ensure with family reunifications that financial thresholds in income are met for permit holders to be eligible to apply for their family to join and that it can be done in a proper and clear way. I take his points on...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Family Reunification (15 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I am acutely aware that for families involved in situations like this it is very important to them and it is very important that they have information. I again refer to what I outlined in reply to the Deputy earlier, namely that it is clearly an important part that someone has sufficient income to sustain a family reunification. A review is ongoing looking at all the processes involved. I...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Family Reunification (15 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Deputy for the question. As he is aware, the Department's policy document for non-EEA family reunification was last amended in 2016. It is under review. The policy document sets out the conditions for a family member to be reunited. In general terms, a sponsor must demonstrate their capacity to provide for their family member. The review is examining a wide range of matters...