Results 10,461-10,480 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Other Questions: Trade Relations (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 79. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the effects on exports from Ireland as a result of the EU-Russian trade sanctions; the further trade opportunities that have been pursued by the Department to counter the negative impact of the sanctions on Irish exporters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37720/14]

Other Questions: Trade Relations (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: Given that Russia is the third largest non-EU export market for Irish goods, after the United States and Canada, the sanctions being imposed by Russia on EU exports have to be of serious concern to us. It is not just about the direct impact on Irish exports; the indirect impact also means there is more competition among European exporters for a smaller market share. Can the Minister of...

Other Questions: Trade Relations (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. In 2011, we exported food and drink worth approximately €150 million to Russia. In the meantime, there has been a substantial increase in these exports. The Minister of State referred to a modest impact, but this does not include the displacement factor. I know someone who exports a substantial quantity of food to Britain. His...

Other Questions: Trade Relations (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: Between 2008 and 2013, the growth in sales was a phenomenal 87%. This shows the potential of the Russian market. Will the Minister of State assure the House that his Department and the relevant State agencies besides Bord Bia will ensure that some initiatives are taken to seek markets for other sectors, given the possible displacement of our products from Russia?

Other Questions: Trade Relations (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State. Perhaps he or his officials might check something for me. I have received representations to the effect that there is still great scope for some sectors that are loosely associated with the agrifood industry, including genetics, ingredients, food technology and agricultural consultancy, to increase their trade with Russia. Does the briefing note prepared for...

Other Questions: Infectious Diseases Epidemic (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 82. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions his Department has taken to address the ebola virus epidemic in west Africa; the specific projects funded by his Department in this area; the risk this epidemic poses to Europe and Ireland; the actions being taken to reduce this risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37717/14]

Other Questions: Infectious Diseases Epidemic (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: Last week, at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, representatives of GOAL and Doctors without Borders presented a frightening and horrific picture of what is happening in west Africa. We know that the current ebola outbreak has caused the deaths of at least 3,000 people and west Africa is experiencing the biggest outbreak of this virus ever known. The World Health...

Other Questions: Infectious Diseases Epidemic (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the fact that the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, visited the region and the substantial funding he provided. Hopefully, he will be able to provide more funding to assist in the very desperate situation. Has the Italian Presidency organised a special meeting of the Council of Ministers on national development to deal with the issue, help in co-ordination and ensure the funding...

Other Questions: Infectious Diseases Epidemic (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: One of the suggestions made at the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade was that there should be a national co-ordinated response to ensure medical or nursing personnel, if willing to travel to the region to use their skills and knowledge in that area, will be facilitated with leave of absence. Will that be considered? Naturally, the co-ordination of funding was raised. As I stated...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 88. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his assessment of immigration reform legislation being passed in the United States Congress; the actions he has taken to progress the position of the undocumented Irish in the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37719/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 90. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the Government strategy to meet its programme for Government commitment of increasing the overseas development aid budget to 0.7% of GNP by 2015; if he will outline any investigation into the misuse of ODA funds this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37718/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 104. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals he put forward at EU Foreign Affairs Council meetings in relation to the actions Europe needs to take to deal with ISIS in view of the huge loss of life and the persecution of minorities inflicted by extremist militants; the number of Iraqi families who have been resettled here who have had to flee Islamic State jihadists;...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Data Protection (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 114. To ask the Taoiseach if he has considered the way the Minister of State with special responsibility for European affairs and data protection at his Department will exercise his very specific responsibility for data protection issues in view of the fact that the Minister of State with special responsibility for European affairs and data protection has not been assigned as a Minister of...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Data Protection (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 116. To ask the Taoiseach if the Minister of State with special responsibility for European affairs and data protection at his Department will exercise responsibility for data protection in view of the fact that he has not been assigned as a Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality, which is the Department responsible for data protection legislation; if he proposes to...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 136. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to outline her views on the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding rent supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38113/14]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 381. To ask the Minister for Health if funding will be approved for long-term nursing home care under the fair deal scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cavan in view of the fact that this applicant is on the national waiting list for nursing home support funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38156/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 405. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the ongoing negotiations of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership; if he had discussions on this issue during his recent visit to the US; his views that Irish interests in the agriculture sphere will be protected robustly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37748/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Certificate of Irish Heritage (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 406. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of Certificates of Irish Heritage that have been issued per year by his Department; the costs of this scheme per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37749/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Catalan Referendum (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 407. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the Catalonian independence referendum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37750/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 443. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and-or with members of the Northern Ireland Executive the proposals by the PSNI to end the Historical Enquiries Team and also substantial cuts to the police ombudsman's office; if he has made any specific proposals on the need to establish on a statutory basis a robust...