Results 12,561-12,580 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Potential Impact of UK Withdrawal from the European Union: Discussion (6 Apr 2017)

Brendan Smith: In the next session we will deal specifically with those particular countries.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Potential Impact of UK Withdrawal from the European Union: Discussion (6 Apr 2017)

Brendan Smith: That is the second session.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Potential Impact of UK Withdrawal from the European Union: Discussion (6 Apr 2017)

Brendan Smith: This is just Brexit.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Potential Impact of UK Withdrawal from the European Union: Discussion (6 Apr 2017)

Brendan Smith: Before the witnesses respond, the Brexit committee of the House of Commons chaired by Hilary Benn MP, met us, and even though our meeting that day was very focused on relations between Ireland and Britain on this island, the Good Friday Agreement and the unique position of Northern Ireland, I also mentioned overseas development aid. We are aware of Mr. Benn's contribution in the past as a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Potential Impact of UK Withdrawal from the European Union: Discussion (6 Apr 2017)

Brendan Smith: I thank Mr. McCaughey and the other witnesses for their presentations and for highlighting issues that have to be of huge concern to all of us. I assure them that we will discuss those issues as we work on the formulation of our report on Brexit. I do not doubt that we will have further dialogue with the witnesses in the near future. They can be assured that this committee will be very...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Famine in Africa and Yemen: Médecins sans Frontières, Oxfam and Concern (6 Apr 2017)

Brendan Smith: In the next part of the meeting, we will hear from representatives of Médecins sans Frontières, Oxfam and Concern about the terrible famine that is currently happening across large parts of Africa and in Yemen. The witnesses are all very welcome. The members of the joint committee look forward to hearing their first-hand accounts of the developing crisis. I welcome Mr. Henry...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Famine in Africa and Yemen: Médecins sans Frontières, Oxfam and Concern (6 Apr 2017)

Brendan Smith: I thank Ms Conway. She has outlined the horrendous circumstances facing so many people. People like her and her colleagues in their own and sister organisations, and elsewhere in the world, deserve enormous credit for working in the most difficult circumstances and with the most deprived and disadvantaged people in such circumstances. I say that on behalf of this committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Famine in Africa and Yemen: Médecins sans Frontières, Oxfam and Concern (6 Apr 2017)

Brendan Smith: Mr. Gray mentioned the lack of data preventing aid getting to some regions. Are there are also security and violence issues which prevent aid from reaching the most vulnerable?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Famine in Africa and Yemen: Médecins sans Frontières, Oxfam and Concern (6 Apr 2017)

Brendan Smith: We have to be born optimists in our job, too.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Famine in Africa and Yemen: Médecins sans Frontières, Oxfam and Concern (6 Apr 2017)

Brendan Smith: I ask witnesses to address each issue raised by members.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Famine in Africa and Yemen: Médecins sans Frontières, Oxfam and Concern (6 Apr 2017)

Brendan Smith: I sincerely thank the delegates for their presentations on what are awful circumstances. The message we must send to private donors and taxpayers who provide funding for overseas aid is that those areas that have been the focus of long-term resilience programmes have been able to mitigate the effects of drought and famine. It is important that the message get across that progress is being...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Diplomatic Representation: Motion (6 Apr 2017)

Brendan Smith: I call Deputy Noel Grealish to move his motion regarding the Irish Embassy in Tehran.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Diplomatic Representation: Motion (6 Apr 2017)

Brendan Smith: The motion will be reported to both Dáil and Seanad Éireann and I propose that a copy of the motion is forwarded to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Issues Arising from Brexit: Retail NI and Retail Excellence Ireland (6 Apr 2017)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the witnesses. It is good to have Ms Higgins back in the Houses of the Oireachtas again. I know from meetings I have held with Mr. Roberts over the past years that he has been a very strong advocate for co-operation between the retail sectors North and South. I welcome the fact that the witnesses are here together making a joint presentation. Where I come from we can all be...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (11 Apr 2017)

Brendan Smith: 269. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 16 December 2016, when a building project at a school (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed to his Department by the board of management in relation to further delays occurring in having this project proceed to construction...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) Eligibility (11 Apr 2017)

Brendan Smith: 391. To ask the Minister for Social Protection his plans to amend the legislation and regulations for eligibility for the State contributory pension (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many persons have been denied full rate of payment due to this method of calculation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18259/17]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (11 Apr 2017)

Brendan Smith: 415. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised with the US Administration the appointment of a special envoy to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18009/17]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Availability (11 Apr 2017)

Brendan Smith: 629. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the availability of Orkambi for persons with cystic fibrosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18258/17]

Other Questions: Good Friday Agreement (12 Apr 2017)

Brendan Smith: 30. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of discussions to date with the British Foreign Secretary and with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in respect of the need for a post-Article 50 agreement between Britain and the European Union to provide for a human rights Act, which is a central element of the Good Friday Agreement; and if he will make a statement...

Other Questions: Good Friday Agreement (12 Apr 2017)

Brendan Smith: 53. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of discussions with the British Foreign Secretary and with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in respect of access to the Court of Justice of the European Union and other guarantees of fundamental rights that underpin the Good Friday Agreement in any post-Article 50 agreement between Britain and the European Union; and...