Results 5,821-5,840 of 9,147 for speaker:Pat Breen

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jan 2014)

Pat Breen: I, too, thank Mr. Butler. He was quick off the mark and submitted his presentation to the committee very quickly. I ask him to respond by providing an overview as to answer all the questions asked would take too long.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jan 2014)

Pat Breen: I thank Mr. Butler. May I give my opinion to my good colleague Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan on the Taoiseach's visit? She mentioned it was a clumsy response, but I do not agree. The Taoiseach was there at the invitation of Enterprise Ireland. It was not organised by the Department of the Taoiseach or the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The trade mission was organised by Enterprise...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jan 2014)

Pat Breen: We are indeed. That is the arena in which we should raise these issues.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jan 2014)

Pat Breen: As the Deputy knows, we raised these issues when we went to Iran.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jan 2014)

Pat Breen: We were there on our own initiative, and were not guests of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland or anything else. However, the Taoiseach was present as a guest of Enterprise Ireland, and totally focused on trade. The idea of the visit was to focus on trade and not be distracted by other issues. I understand where the Deputy is coming from but the Taoiseach took the right decision in regard to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jan 2014)

Pat Breen: No, just a review. The last one was conducted in 1996, some 18 years ago, so a policy review will again be conducted. I thank Mr. Graham Butler for coming before the committee and being so frank and open. I admire the way he had his paper so well researched. Mr. Butler has done Trojan work and has given us great idea for the committee's report. Yesterday an experienced retired diplomat...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Appeals (21 Jan 2014)

Pat Breen: 366. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on an invalidity pension appeal will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2686/14]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Grant Payments (21 Jan 2014)

Pat Breen: 564. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of a grant will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2684/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (22 Jan 2014)

Pat Breen: 69. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills [3078/14]

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Pat Breen: This meeting has been called to consider the Revised Estimates for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Dáil ordered on 18 December 2013 that the following Revised Estimates for public services be referred to this committee for consideration: Vote 27- International Co-operation, and Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade. I welcome the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Pat Breen: I thank the Tánaiste for his introduction. Yesterday's announcement was good news for this country. It is welcome that in spite of the difficult circumstances that we have extended our embassies, in particular in Asia, and a new one in Zagreb in Croatia, as well as extending to the US and other areas. It is very good news despite the tight budgetary constraints that exist because...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Pat Breen: I thank the Tánaiste. I urge Members to keep their interventions brief and to ask questions. We have to get through six or seven different sections, therefore, there will be ample time for questions. I will take questions on Vote 28, trade interests. I call Deputy Brendan Smith.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Pat Breen: We will have questions on that.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Pat Breen: The Tánaiste took note of the report we did regarding the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which is important for us.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Pat Breen: Can we please have questions, as otherwise we will be here all day?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Pat Breen: I presume the Deputy asked the last question as it relates to trade.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Pat Breen: I thank the Tánaiste.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Pat Breen: We have five more sections to deal with.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Pat Breen: Okay, but only one, if the Deputy does not mind.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Pat Breen: Deputy Brendan Smith also has a brief supplementary question.