Results 6,161-6,180 of 9,147 for speaker:Pat Breen

Topical Issue Debate: HIQA Reports (11 Jun 2014)

Pat Breen: I want to focus on the issue of the absence of a model 3 hospital in the mid-western hospital group, which is a contributory factor in the overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick. I was delighted to hear the Minister's comments in regard to exploring the idea of a possible model 3 hospital in the region. Ennis is well placed to become a model 3 hospital and such a hospital would help...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (11 Jun 2014)

Pat Breen: Apologies have been received from Senator David Norris. The draft minutes of the meeting of 4 June 2014 have been circulated to members. Are they agreed? Agreed. As there are no matters arising from the minutes, we will proceed with the main business of the meeting.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in South Sudan: Concern, GOAL and Oxfam (11 Jun 2014)

Pat Breen: I remind members, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery to ensure their mobile telephones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference with the recording equipment even when on silent mode. I would appreciate it if mobile telephones were switched off because our meeting is being broadcast live. Today's meeting is a very important one dealing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in South Sudan: Concern, GOAL and Oxfam (11 Jun 2014)

Pat Breen: I thank Mr. Clarken and also thank Mr. Colm Byrne, the humanitarian manager of Oxfam for being with us today. I now invite Mr. Jonathan Edgar, chief operations officer of GOAL, to make his opening statement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in South Sudan: Concern, GOAL and Oxfam (11 Jun 2014)

Pat Breen: I thank Mr. Edgar for his contribution. I welcome Ms Fiona Gannon, who having worked in South Sudan has an eyewitness account of what has been happening. Ms Gannon will have an opportunity to contribute during the question and answer session. I welcome Ms. Anne O'Mahony, from Concern who is accompanied by Ms Carol Morgan, regional director of Concern. I now invite Ms O'Mahony to address...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in South Sudan: Concern, GOAL and Oxfam (11 Jun 2014)

Pat Breen: I thank our three witnesses for their graphic account of what is taking place in south Sudan and what can and should be done. We appreciate the work being done by Irish non-governmental organisations in South Sudan. Without focusing in on any region of South Sudan or the personnel of their respective organisations, do Concern, Oxfam and GOAL have security fears for staff working in the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in South Sudan: Concern, GOAL and Oxfam (11 Jun 2014)

Pat Breen: I thank Deputy Brendan Smith. I will allow everybody in as we have six witnesses and that will give everyone a chance to answer the various questions from members rather than going over and back. I call Deputy Durkan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in South Sudan: Concern, GOAL and Oxfam (11 Jun 2014)

Pat Breen: I call Deputy Eric Byrne.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in South Sudan: Concern, GOAL and Oxfam (11 Jun 2014)

Pat Breen: I call Deputy Seán Crowe.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in South Sudan: Concern, GOAL and Oxfam (11 Jun 2014)

Pat Breen: Some of our guests referred to what happened in the Horn of Africa, particularly in the context of the warning signs that were available beforehand. Criticism has been levelled at the UN, the EU and other entities for not taking action in the Horn of Africa despite the existence of those warning signs, namely, population movement, drought and conflict. Our guests have intimated that a more...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in South Sudan: Concern, GOAL and Oxfam (11 Jun 2014)

Pat Breen: I will come back to you again because clearly you have a good deal more to offer. Ms Gannon, do you wish to come in now?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in South Sudan: Concern, GOAL and Oxfam (11 Jun 2014)

Pat Breen: Perhaps you could address some of the questions because I have to get to Mr. Clarken as well.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in South Sudan: Concern, GOAL and Oxfam (11 Jun 2014)

Pat Breen: I call Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan who has a special interest in this area.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in South Sudan: Concern, GOAL and Oxfam (11 Jun 2014)

Pat Breen: The committee can raise this issue with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and ask him to raise it at EU level and to keep it high on the agenda. We can raise it ourselves during the Italian Presidency at the meeting of foreign affairs committees and with MEPs. What other actions can this committee take to help maintain awareness of this situation?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in South Sudan: Concern, GOAL and Oxfam (11 Jun 2014)

Pat Breen: The Senator may do so after the meeting.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in South Sudan: Concern, GOAL and Oxfam (11 Jun 2014)

Pat Breen: Those questions have been answered, but the Senator is free to continue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in South Sudan: Concern, GOAL and Oxfam (11 Jun 2014)

Pat Breen: The Senator will have an opportunity to speak to the witnesses when we go into private session. I now invite the delegates to make a concluding contribution, beginning with Mr. Edgar.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in South Sudan: Concern, GOAL and Oxfam (11 Jun 2014)

Pat Breen: I thank the delegates for their contributions to the meeting. We have learned a great deal from this engagement and will remain focused on this important issue. It is perhaps as important as what happened some years ago in the Horn of Africa. The peace deal that is in place is temporary, but we hope it will hold and the situation will improve as time goes on. We will ask the Tánaiste...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Appeals (17 Jun 2014)

Pat Breen: 346. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on carer's allowance appeal will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25745/14]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Authority (17 Jun 2014)

Pat Breen: 768. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to open a second national car test centre in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25746/14]