Results 5,661-5,680 of 7,404 for speaker:Mick Wallace

Other Questions: Defence Forces Expenditure (12 Dec 2017)

Mick Wallace: The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, told us this was a structured initiative, to opt into and to opt out of what we want. We already have an opt in-opt out facility so why do we need to join a group to have more opt-in and opt-out? We are not opting in but joining. Ireland's neutrality is a matter of Government policy rather than a requirement of...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Expenditure (12 Dec 2017)

Mick Wallace: We are increasing defence spending but not building any houses.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Expenditure (12 Dec 2017)

Mick Wallace: We are not building enough of them, either.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Expenditure (12 Dec 2017)

Mick Wallace: There has been no public debate.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Retirements (12 Dec 2017)

Mick Wallace: 54. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the fact that 335 members of the Defence Forces have left voluntarily to date in 2017; if he has satisfied himself that the pay and conditions of the Defence Forces is acceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52966/17]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Permanent Structured Co-operation (12 Dec 2017)

Mick Wallace: 78. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the considerations and planning his Department has taken with regard to Ireland's imminent joining of PESCO; if the defence budget for 2018, 2019 and 2020 will now increase year on year due to the commitments required of PESCO membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52965/17]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Fuel Allowance Eligibility (12 Dec 2017)

Mick Wallace: 511. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is entitled to fuel allowance. [52913/17]

Other Questions: Syrian Conflict (13 Dec 2017)

Mick Wallace: Sanctions allow governments and international organisations such as the EU to appear to be doing something about war at times. At the end of the day, however, sanctions are a foreign policy tool which do not take account of the humanitarian needs of the citizens affected by war. It is obvious that the sanctions imposed on Syria have not had the intended effect on the Assad regime. It is...

Other Questions: Syrian Conflict (13 Dec 2017)

Mick Wallace: While I have no intention of defending Assad, he is not the only one killing people in Syria as there are many other groups involved. A report commissioned by the UN, Humanitarian Impact of Syria-Related Unilateral Restrictive Measures, was never published because of its findings. However, it was leaked. It found US and EU economic sanctions on Syria are hitting civilians the hardest and...

Other Questions: Syrian Conflict (13 Dec 2017)

Mick Wallace: The western powers, with the prompting of Saudi Arabia and Israel, wanted regime change and interference has made the situation in Syria 100 times worse than it would have been without external interference. The centre for Syrian studies at the University of St. Andrews has stated that the reduction in living standards and aid dependency as a result of the sanctions is empowering the regime...

European Council Meeting: Statements (13 Dec 2017)

Mick Wallace: Yes. Would Deputy O'Sullivan like to go first? I do not mind.

European Council Meeting: Statements (13 Dec 2017)

Mick Wallace: The Lisbon treaty provides that a group of member states can strengthen their co-operation in defence matters by setting up a permanent structured co-operation, which is known as PESCO. When we pointed out that there was not nearly enough debating time on this matter and that the public is not aware of it, the Government pointed out that as the provision was in the Lisbon treaty, it has been...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (13 Dec 2017)

Mick Wallace: 48. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to advocate at the EU Foreign Affairs Council for the lifting of the EU’s economic sanctions against Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53156/17]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (13 Dec 2017)

Mick Wallace: 56. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to contact the US Ambassador to raise the issue of lifting the United States’ economic sanctions against Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53157/17]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Policing Authority Reports (13 Dec 2017)

Mick Wallace: 130. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to a report a report by CAO on An Garda Síochána regarding the use by the former Garda Commissioner of a personal email account (details supplied); if he or persons in his Department have received such a report; if persons in his Department have been in correspondence with members of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Commission on the Future of Policing Reports (13 Dec 2017)

Mick Wallace: 136. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he has formally requested an interim report from the Commission on the Future of Policing; if so, when this request took place; if he has received such a report; if so, if he will publish same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53402/17]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Communications (13 Dec 2017)

Mick Wallace: 137. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will make public on his Department's website all email correspondence between the former Garda Commissioner and officials in his Department during the summer of 2017, concerning their position as Commissioner and their possible retirement (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53403/17]

Other Questions: Freedom of Information Legislation (14 Dec 2017)

Mick Wallace: 9. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has satisfied himself with the functioning of the freedom of information system in place under the Freedom of Information Act 2014; if he will consider amending section 44 of the Act to confer power on the Minister to instruct the Information Commissioner to carry out a review of the operations of the Act; and if he will make a...

Other Questions: Freedom of Information Legislation (14 Dec 2017)

Mick Wallace: 18. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has satisfied himself that section 27 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 is functioning properly; if all agencies that come under freedom of information legislation following the Act are applying fees and charges for FOI requests in an open and transparent manner; if guidelines are issued to the agencies with regard to...

Other Questions: Freedom of Information Legislation (14 Dec 2017)

Mick Wallace: The questions relate to the current freedom of information legislation. Is the Minister satisfied that the legislation is functioning properly? Will the Minister consider amending section 44 of the Act so that he can instruct the Information Commissioner to carry out a review of the operation of the Act? My interactions with numerous freedom of information departments, State bodies and...