Results 12,341-12,360 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (16 Feb 2017)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State. We are all conscious of the significant importance of this programme to so many in need of assistance affected by the many humanitarian crises across the world. Only yesterday the committee met the Red Cross representative from Mali. It is one of the worst countries on the poverty index, with a serious lack of access for its people to proper sanitation and...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (16 Feb 2017)

Brendan Smith: Sorry, Deputy, I was referring to the projected figure for 2017.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (16 Feb 2017)

Brendan Smith: I concur with the comments of Deputies Darragh O'Brien and Noel Grealish on the contribution of Irish religious and lay missionaries. Over the years the different Irish NGOs have made presentations to us and the people at the coalface are working in the most difficult circumstances to deliver services. We owe them a great debt of gratitude for the work they do, helping the most deprived...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (16 Feb 2017)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister, the Minister of State and their officials for attending and dealing comprehensively with the committee's questions and observations. I also thank members.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Message to Dáil (16 Feb 2017)

Brendan Smith: In accordance with Standing Order 90, the following message will be sent to the Dáil:The Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence has completed its consideration of the following Revised Estimates for public services for the year ending 31 December 2017: Vote 27 - International Co-operation; and Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Brexit Issues (21 Feb 2017)

Brendan Smith: 357. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if, in view of the particular challenges that will arise for areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan due to Brexit, consideration will be given to the provision of additional capital funding for projects in the Border region in the review of the capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8217/17]

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: CLÁR Programme (21 Feb 2017)

Brendan Smith: 372. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if consideration will be given to the request of a local authority for CLÁR funding (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8238/17]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Management (21 Feb 2017)

Brendan Smith: 530. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all the provisions of the Forestry Act 2014 have been implemented; if not, when all provisions will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8176/17]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Issues (21 Feb 2017)

Brendan Smith: 578. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a recent publication on the impact of Brexit on the agrifood sector (details supplied); his further views on the need to implement some specific measures as advocated in this publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8752/17]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Joint Sitting with Joint Committee on European Union Affairs
First Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr. Frans Timmermans: Discussion (21 Feb 2017)

Brendan Smith: Today is an unique occasion whereby two joint committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas meet together in public session. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae chairs the Joint Committee on European Affairs. I welcome the members of both committees to this meeting. On behalf of both committees I am delighted to extend a céad míle fáilte, a hundred thousand welcomes to the First...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Joint Sitting with Joint Committee on European Union Affairs
First Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr. Frans Timmermans: Discussion (21 Feb 2017)

Brendan Smith: I thank Deputy Healy-Rae. The format of the meeting is that we will hear brief opening remarks from Mr. Timmermans before going into a question and answer session with the members of both committees. I will call members in the order in which they indicated. Like any meeting , there are some housekeeping matters and formalities. I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Joint Sitting with Joint Committee on European Union Affairs
First Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr. Frans Timmermans: Discussion (21 Feb 2017)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Vice-President. In view of the time constraints and the large number of committee members offering I will have to insist on questions rather than statements in the contributions. The next grouping is Mr. Hayes, MEP, Deputy Crowe and Senator Craughwell.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Joint Sitting with Joint Committee on European Union Affairs
First Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr. Frans Timmermans: Discussion (21 Feb 2017)

Brendan Smith: I thank Mr. Timmermans very much. I was very heartened with the comments attributed to him in one of yesterday's national newspapers in regard to the importance he attached to the Good Friday Agreement. I am delighted that he put it on the record of the committees of the Houses of Parliament that he wants the Good Friday Agreement upheld and protected. His comments are very heartening. He...

Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Feb 2017)

Brendan Smith: There is a commitment in the programme for Government for much better engagement with citizens and communities about the energy policy decisions that affect them and a commitment to effective community consultation on energy infrastructure developments. As the Taoiseach is aware, last week Dáil Éireann passed a Private Members' motion, moved by the Fianna Fáil Party, and one...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: North-South Interconnector (22 Feb 2017)

Brendan Smith: 226. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when he proposes to commission an independent report incorporating international industry expertise on the proposed north-south interconnector as outlined in the private members motion passed in Dáil Éireann on 16 February 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8886/17]

Other Questions: Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility (23 Feb 2017)

Brendan Smith: 13. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to increase eligibility income limits for social housing, particularly in areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8826/17]

Other Questions: Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility (23 Feb 2017)

Brendan Smith: I have been raising with the Minister for some time the need to raise the income eligibility limits for social housing. In too many instances we hear from constituents who were on the housing list but who were taken off it when they went back to work. The eligibility band for the Cavan-Monaghan area is the lowest in the country and it needs to be improved. We are penalising people who are...

Other Questions: Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility (23 Feb 2017)

Brendan Smith: Could the Minister give us an assurance that they will be reviewed without further delay? I recently brought a young couple to my local authority. The young man is an apprentice while his partner is, unfortunately, out of work and receiving a jobseeker's payment. The couple have a child. They are not eligible for a council house. We are talking about being prudent and fair. Is it...

Other Questions: Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility (23 Feb 2017)

Brendan Smith: But there are zones. Cavan-Monaghan is a different-----

Other Questions: Social and Affordable Housing Eligibility (23 Feb 2017)

Brendan Smith: The band in Cavan-Monaghan is extremely low. That is what I am concerned about. I know there must be a comparable increase as well but it needs to be reviewed based on my experience in my constituency.