Results 9,201-9,220 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (16 Jan 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he has taken in relation to requesting a full independent inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane since the publication of the De Silva report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1358/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (16 Jan 2013)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. He is right to make the point that there is no hierarchy of grief or pain for the families of the 3,500 people who died or the many thousands of people who were injured. The de Silva report clearly exposed the shocking level of brutal state collusion during the Troubles, which represented a dark chapter in this country's history. It is obvious that...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (16 Jan 2013)

Brendan Smith: The Finucane family, which has been very dignified throughout its campaign for a full public inquiry, has completely rejected the report as a whitewash. I ask the Tánaiste to continue to pursue this matter with the British Government, especially given that an international agreement is being breached. As he said, the other part of the Weston Park agreement involved the establishment of...

Other Questions: Overseas Development Aid (16 Jan 2013)

Brendan Smith: My understanding is that the Peace Corps formula was devised by President Kennedy and Sargent Shriver in the United States in the early 1960s. It is the most notable example of a voluntary civilian corps of which I am aware. Am I correct in thinking that the US Peace Corps operates on the basis of giving placements to students in particular, the equivalent of our second-level students,...

Other Questions: Overseas Development Aid (16 Jan 2013)

Brendan Smith: Will the Minister of State refer to the timeframe he has in mind for launching his initial programme? When does he hope to have the corps in operation? Apart from health and education are there other areas in which he hopes to have a cohort of people to focus on and work with local communities in impoverished countries?

Other Questions: Overseas Development Aid (16 Jan 2013)

Brendan Smith: In regard to the review, has the Minister of State taken into account the programmes operated by other countries? I do not know which in particular - one hopes our country is seen as one that has best practice in regard to development programmes but I presume other countries run very efficient and effective programmes too. Has any of these programmes, or strands thereof, been taken into...

Other Questions: Overseas Development Aid (16 Jan 2013)

Brendan Smith: My point is similar to that made by Deputy Seán Crowe. Mr. Brendan Rogers and his colleagues from the Tánaiste's Department recently made a presentation to the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade in which they highlighted the progress made in the areas of health and education in Uganda. I refer, in particular, to the increase in the number of people who are completing...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (16 Jan 2013)

Brendan Smith: It is welcome that this matter will again be discussed at tomorrow's meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council. Last week I was contacted by a constituent who indicated a particular personal knowledge of the region and outlined their disappointment at the fact that the difficulties in Mali did not appear to have been given the international attention they merited. The person to whom I refer...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (16 Jan 2013)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. Are the difficulties in Mali the reason for the extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Affairs Ministers tomorrow? Is it the main topic for consideration or are other issues to be considered?

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Northern Ireland Issues (16 Jan 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the discussions he has held with the Northern Executive and British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in relation to combating the threat presented by militant dissident activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1359/13]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Investigations (16 Jan 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the investigations into the bombing at Belturbet, County Cavan, of December 1972 which caused the death of two young persons; if he is satisfied with the level of cooperation from statutory agencies outside the jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1956/13]

Further Education and Training: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (17 Jan 2013)

Brendan Smith: I am glad to have the opportunity to make a contribution to the debate on this important motion. I congratulate my colleague, Deputy Charlie McConalogue, on his work in highlighting the attack the Government has made on an education sector that has proved to be very successful in the past decade and needs additional support because of its success with the increasing numbers attending further...

Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Jan 2013)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the opportunity to make a contribution on the important legislation before us. Naturally, the legislation is based on a disappointing report. Deputy Durkan outlined the strengths of our parliamentary and democratic systems in his contribution. Public representatives must be close to the people they represent, otherwise they will not be returned to the Chamber. Earlier today,...

Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Jan 2013)

Brendan Smith: I heard Deputies Joe O'Reilly, Heather Humphreys and Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin outline clearly the ludicrousness of this proposal. Whoever is elected in the new constituency will have to deal with four local authorities and I do not know how many HSE regions they will cover. The terms of reference quoted by Deputy John O'Mahony are worth referring to again. They set out that...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs (17 Jan 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Minister for Finance if he proposes to extend the excise rebate on diesel to passenger transport companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2069/13]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Deposit Interest Rates (17 Jan 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the matter of recent drop in deposit interest rate by An Post and if he will explain the reason this is justified; if savings of Irish savers are no longer required since the Euro financial crisis and general liquidity has improved somewhat; if we now want to raise borrowings at more expensive rates on the international bond market; if we are...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Proposed Legislation (17 Jan 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the difficulty experienced by householders whose quality of life is diminished as a result of daylight being blocked from their homes by the presence of Leylandi trees growing in neighbouring gardens; if he will introduce regulations into the planning process or otherwise which would limit...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Social Welfare Code (22 Jan 2013)

Brendan Smith: 157. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the rationale behind reducing training allowance for further education and training participants in view of the fact that the majority of these students are disadvantaged students who should be helped to return to education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2715/13]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Semi-State Bodies (23 Jan 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he expects to be the shareholder on behalf of the State for any new commercial semi-State entities or State companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2828/13]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Courts Service (23 Jan 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm that there will be no change to the status of Ballyconnell District Court, County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3393/13]