Results 4,921-4,940 of 9,147 for speaker:Pat Breen

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Democratic Republic of Congo: Motion (13 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: I want to add my voice of support for Senator Norris's motion. Senator Norris has a close affiliation with Congo. I assure Senator Norris that in the past 48 hours we raised the issue of the situation in Congo in Switzerland when we met with the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights and also with the International Red Cross. The foreign affairs and trade committee has been quite vocal...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Democratic Republic of Congo: Motion (13 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: Yes, to ensure it is raised in the foreign affairs committee as well.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Democratic Republic of Congo: Motion (13 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: Yes. It is an issue that we raised also with the Irish ambassador in Geneva who will be representing us on the Human Rights Council in terms of the Democratic Republic of Congo. We will keep in touch with him on that given that we are now a full member of the Human Rights Council.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Democratic Republic of Congo: Motion (13 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: I propose that the resolution of the committee is that the motion be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, communicated to the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and communicated to the ambassadors of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. Is that agreed? Agreed. I thank Senator Norris for being very active in this area and showing a great interest...

Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Second Stage (14 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this Bill. The introduction of any tax is never popular, but particularly so in the midst of the greatest recession since the foundation of the State. Property taxation is the norm throughout the world and the proposed rate of 0.18% compares favourably with the rate in other countries. I note that while Sinn Féin is opposed to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (18 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) has not been facilitated with school transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56793/12]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Family Income Supplement Appeals (18 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a family income supplement appeal will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56455/12]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Stocking Densities (18 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment on stocking density appeal will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56368/12]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (19 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: The minutes of the meeting of 13 December have been circulated to members. Are they agreed to? Agreed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (19 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: Because it had been raised at last week's meeting the committee was required to write officially to the leader of the OSCE parliamentary delegation, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, whom we will try to meet tomorrow at some stage. I note Deputy Eric Byrne has submitted parliamentary questions on the matter, about which I also have concerns. I suggest we discuss it with Deputy Eoghan Murphy first and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (19 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: We will discuss it when we deal with correspondence.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (19 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: If the Deputy does not mind, we will discuss it in the same context. I will give the Deputy an opportunity to discuss the matter when we deal with correspondence.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce (19 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: I remind members and those in the Visitors Gallery to ensure mobile phones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting, as they cause interference with the recording equipment, even when left in silent mode. This is part of a continuing series of meetings and other activities relating to trade promotion and the role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in assisting...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce (19 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: I believe there are charter flights to those two countries.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce (19 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: I am sure many members will want to ask questions. I acknowledge that we have a resident ambassador from Morocco in this country.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce (19 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: I call Deputy Smith.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce (19 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: The issue of visas forms part of our programme and a report we are preparing. It stems from the Global Economic Forum. In 2013 it will be part of our work programme, particularly in the context of trade. We will have officials from the Department of Justice and Equality before the committee in that regard also.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce (19 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: I remind Senator Norris that the committee has spent as much, if not more, time dealing with issues of human rights than with issues of trade over the last several months.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce (19 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: Trade has not dominated our agenda and, in fact, some people are saying we are not doing enough on trade matters. It is important to correct the Senator in that regard.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce (19 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: I thank Mr. Maguire for his contribution. I am sure he and Senator Norris will agree to differ. We regard human rights as extremely important, but trade is also extremely important. As Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan noted, if we took account of human rights all the time we would never trade with anybody. This committee will continue to monitor human rights and highlight problems where they...