Results 821-840 of 1,212 for speaker:Dara Murphy

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Human Rights Issues (22 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: I thank the Deputy for his question. I am aware of the circumstances surrounding the recent arrest of a number of individuals, including lawyers, in the Basque country and also in Madrid on 12 January. However, as the issues involved are being examined by the Spanish courts, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the cases referred to. More broadly, the Government continues to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Human Rights Issues (22 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: As I stated, I will not be drawn into discussing the specifics of this matter which is one for the Spanish Government. However, in general, it is true that everyone is entitled to legal representation and that all of us, legal representatives and others, are subject to national law. The Deputy referred to similarities between the peace process in the North and the situation in the Basque...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Human Rights Issues (22 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: As the Minister, Deputy Charles Flanagan, stated in response to an earlier question, we all are aware that the issue of prisoners is a sensitive and complex one, but in this instances decisions on such specific matters continue to fall within the jurisdiction of the Spanish authorities and courts and need to be determined within their legal and constitutional provisions. As such, I must...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (22 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: I thank Deputy Smith for his question and his interest in this area. Of course, he is correct that this is a serious situation in Ukraine. In July and September 2014, the EU agreed a package of restrictive measures against the Russian Federation on access to capital markets, trade in arms, dual use goods and access to sensitive technologies, particularly in the field of energy. When...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (22 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: There were two elements to Deputy Smith's supplementary. First, as he will be aware, the current sanctions are having an impact and, as I stated, they remain the key element of the European Union's approach to the crisis. We have always stated that Ireland believes restrictive measures are scalable, in both directions. They can be strengthened or eased depending on developments on the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (22 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: With respect to developing markets, the Deputy will be aware that, in December last, senior officials at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine met their counterparts in Moscow to discuss the temporary restrictions not covered by the presidential ban. As I stated, there has been some success. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Deputy Coveney, led a trade mission...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (22 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: It would not be appropriate for me to comment in this House on the draft legislation currently under consideration in the Spanish Parliament to which the Deputy referred in her question.

European Council: Statements (27 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: I will begin by dealing with Deputy Boyd Barrett's rather long question. Some other questions were asked by Deputies Martin, Adams and Crowe, as well as by the various Technical Group speakers, during the first part of this debate. Obviously we have a new Government now in Greece. It is very much at the early stage. We have to welcome the clear statement by the new Greek Prime Minister,...

European Council: Statements (27 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: The private sector was involved in the restructuring of Greek debt in 2012. It was recognised at that time that Greece could not pay. Our debt burden has been significantly eased by policies adopted by our European colleagues through the self-same negotiation. These included the promissory note deal, lengthening of maturities on the European Financial Stability Facility, EFSF, and European...

European Council: Statements (27 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: I have a concluding statement but if I read it, I will not get to answer any of the questions that have been raised. To answer Deputy Crowe, the issue of our individual tax arrangements was not discussed at the European Council and there was consequently no discussion on any company based here. We defend our tax system rigorously. We have obviously made moves in support of international...

European Council: Statements (27 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: -----with respect to trying to reduce the crisis and uphold international law. In that regard, it is frankly ridiculous to try to introduce other issues which are irrelevant. It has always been the case that there would be a scale towards sanctions. That has been the Irish position. Unfortunately, however, more recent events would suggest that unless we see an improvement and maybe an...

EU Association Agreement with Georgia: Motion (27 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: I move:That Dáil Éireann approves the terms of the Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their member states, of the one part, and Georgia, of the other part, signed at Brussels on 27 June 2014, a copy of which was laid before the Dáil on 9 December 2014.”These motions were considered last week by the Select...

EU Association Agreement with Georgia: Motion (27 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: The ambassador is present. The Deputy is speaking to the people of Ukraine.

EU Association Agreement with Georgia: Motion (27 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: The Deputy did, actually.

EU Association Agreement with Moldova: Motion (27 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: I move:That Dáil Éireann approves the terms of the Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their member states, of the one part, and the Republic of Moldova, of the other part, signed at Brussels on 27 June 2014, a copy of which was laid before the Dáil on 9 December 2014.

EU Association Agreement with Ukraine: Motion (27 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: I move:That Dáil Éireann approves the terms of the Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their member states, of the one part, and Ukraine, of the other part, signed at Brussels on 21 March 2014 and 27 June 2014, a copy of which was laid before the Dáil on 9 December 2014."

Housing Affordability: Motion [Private Members] (27 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: I move amendment No. 1:To delete all words after “Dáil Éireann” and substitute the following:"acknowledges that:— the construction sector and the housing market were very heavily affected by the economic downturn and the bursting of the property bubble; and — a poorly regulated banking sector, with lax lending standards combined with pro-cyclical and...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Síochána (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (28 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: I apologise on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fitzgerald, for her inability to attend this meeting. The Minister appreciates this amendment is one of a series of changes to the 2005 Act recommended by the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, which took the view that a single member commission would provide greater accountability and strengthen its...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Síochána (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (28 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: I thank Deputy Collins for his amendment. He is correct in the first instance that the core function of GSOC is to investigate complaints made against the members of the Garda Síochána. As things stand, however, GSOC cannot investigate a complaint made against the Garda Commissioner. Section 7 of this Bill changes the position by inserting a new section into the Garda...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Garda Síochána (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2014: Committee Stage (28 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: I think a member of the public can make a complaint against the Commissioner, but the Minister for Justice and Equality is part of the process of the investigation. That is correct. To give the Deputy a more complete answer, the issue of the Minister's consent is being dealt with by later amendments which are before us.