Results 881-900 of 1,212 for speaker:Dara Murphy

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at Department of the Taoiseach (10 Mar 2015)

Dara Murphy: There is quite a bit to get through.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at Department of the Taoiseach (10 Mar 2015)

Dara Murphy: The Chairman will blow the whistle.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at Department of the Taoiseach (10 Mar 2015)

Dara Murphy: To come to the last question first, the issue of a European army is not a Commission competence. Ireland's participation in a European common defence arrangement is prohibited by Article 29.4.9° of the Constitution and reinforced by the Irish protocol in the Lisbon treaty. Several members asked about the situation in Russia and Ukraine. Part of the function of the Minsk agreement was...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at Department of the Taoiseach (10 Mar 2015)

Dara Murphy: We discussed that matter this morning at our internal European affairs meeting within the Department. I will obtain for the committee a specific note on the detail of what is involved. As members are aware, this is part of the broader consultative process that is ongoing at present.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at Department of the Taoiseach (10 Mar 2015)

Dara Murphy: The Deputy referred to the vote which took place in the Houses last month. It was disappointing that all parties did not support what was proposed. A process is ongoing in respect of the matter to which the Deputy refers. While we wish to see progress in many areas in accession and applicant countries, there is no doubt that propaganda is emanating from Russia. That is why moving towards...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at Department of the Taoiseach (10 Mar 2015)

Dara Murphy: It has been a pleasure.

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (11 Mar 2015)

Dara Murphy: Is the Deputy living in the Republic of Ireland?

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (11 Mar 2015)

Dara Murphy: We are exceptionally proud to be Irish, although one would not think so listening to some of the commentary particularly from the Independent Members, especially Deputy Ross, who quoted the Taoiseach’s statement but seems not to have read or heard it. While criticising the Taoiseach, who is launching a very important initiative in the Irish Financial Services Centre, IFSC, the Deputy...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (11 Mar 2015)

Dara Murphy: The European Council will review preparations for the upcoming summit, providing a steer on its objectives and the way forward concerning some other key issues. On Europe's neighbourhood policy and expansion in general, I was in the Dáil when we voted on the ambitions of three nations to share in democratic and free membership of the European Union. They were represented by their...

European Council: Statements (24 Mar 2015)

Dara Murphy: I was here for the debate with the Ukrainian ambassador and the other ambassadors. We have long espoused the view that the opportunity afforded to us in the 1970s should be shared with others. It is a noble ambition to share our common values of democracy and freedom. Deputy Martin's comments were in line with the views of the Government. I am disappointed that some contributors ignored...

European Council: Statements (24 Mar 2015)

Dara Murphy: The European Council did not discuss our relations with the United States of America. It is frustrating, when we are discussing serious issues for elderly people, children and citizens generally in Ukraine and the difficulties arising for everybody in trying to de-escalate the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, to repeatedly hear about every other alleged improper act by other countries....

European Council: Statements (24 Mar 2015)

Dara Murphy: Deputy Murphy raised this point earlier and I fully agree with the sentiment and the point she is making. In Ireland and across the European Union we have had a protracted period of under investment in renewable energy sources and the targets we set ourselves a number of years ago will not be achieved. The energy conference in Paris in December will present an opportunity for the world to...

European Council: Statements (24 Mar 2015)

Dara Murphy: I believe I have two more minutes for questions and then five minutes to wrap up.

European Council: Statements (24 Mar 2015)

Dara Murphy: The conclusions on Ukraine were unanimously adopted. I will briefly address the issue of Libya within the time constraints. Last week the Heads of State and Government decided that as soon as the agreement to form the government of national unity is reached, the European Union stands ready to contribute by making full use of all its instruments. It is important, notwithstanding the recent...

Topical Issue Debate: Foreign Conflicts (24 Mar 2015)

Dara Murphy: I welcome the opportunity to reflect on the appalling tragedy which unfolds daily in Syria. I fully concur with the Deputies' analysis of the extent of the tragedy in Syria and the terrible loss of life that has occurred. This issue has been raised to coincide with the fourth anniversary of the start of the conflict. On 15 March 2011, brave young Syrians began to protest against the...

Topical Issue Debate: Foreign Conflicts (24 Mar 2015)

Dara Murphy: There is broad agreement that the only possible future to what is the most dangerous and destabilising crisis in the Middle East, given the number of people who have been displaced or killed, is work that will deliver de-escalation. To that end, the United Nations special envoy, Staffan de Mistura, is working to attempt the extremely difficult task of promoting a graduated de-escalation...

Topical Issue Debate: Garda Stations (24 Mar 2015)

Dara Murphy: The Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, has asked me to thank Deputy Feighan for raising this matter and to acknowledge his concern and measured approach in these matters. Members will be aware that decisions in respect of the allocation of resources, including station opening hours, are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the context of her operational requirements and that the Minister has no...

Topical Issue Debate: Garda Stations (24 Mar 2015)

Dara Murphy: I strongly share Deputy Feighan's sentiments concerning the support we need to give to our gardaí who do a very difficult job on our behalf. It is sometimes a thankless task. We are lucky to be well served in this country by our gardaí. The Garda Síochána is internationally recognised as being an excellent police force, particularly in how its members engage in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Police and Judicial Co-operation in Criminal Matters: Motion (25 Mar 2015)

Dara Murphy: Thank you very much, Chairman, for allowing me to address the committee. I am here on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald. The motion comes under Article 29.4.7 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council repealing certain acts in the field of police co-operation and judicial co-operation in criminal matters. This is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: EU Police and Judicial Co-operation in Criminal Matters: Motion (25 Mar 2015)

Dara Murphy: It feeds into a broader long overdue ambition of the Commission to deal with over burdensome regulations, as part of the refit programme. This would be the Department of Justice and Equality, and the justice and home affairs element of it.