Results 1,281-1,300 of 24,382 for speaker:Seán Barrett
- International Fund for Ireland (20 Jan 2011)
Seán Barrett: I appreciate what the Minister of State said and I do not mean to be in any way derogatory towards the US. One has to accept that for over 20 years it has contributed a large sum of money to the fund, which we very much welcome. I ask the Minister of State to give an assurance today that this matter will be discussed at the highest level and that there is a clear understanding on our...
- Foreign Conflicts (20 Jan 2011)
Seán Barrett: Question 5: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the up to date efforts to restart peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian authority and if the EU have any plans to assist with same [3033/11]
- Foreign Conflicts (20 Jan 2011)
Seán Barrett: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. All of us are interested in getting the discussions recommenced. I noted recently that President Mubarak of Egypt has been involved in discussions and as the Minister of State mentioned, Catherine Ashton, the EU foreign policy chief as she is called, also had a two-day meeting on the situation. I was heartened by a comment I think is worth...
- Foreign Conflicts (20 Jan 2011)
Seán Barrett: Indeed, yes. If a positive step was taken and the European Union offered peacekeeping troops to go in and do what the Israeli Foreign Minister suggested, that would be a positive step forward. I urge the Minister of State to instigate discussions through the European Union to see if it is possible to establish an EU peacekeeping force that will examine the position. It should examine the...
- Foreign Conflicts (20 Jan 2011)
Seán Barrett: I am pleased to hear the Minister agree with my point of view and I urge him to bring forward formally the proposal that we should discuss the possibility of an EU peacekeeping force there. I would hope that Ireland would offer to participate in that. We have a huge amount to offer, given our experience in Northern Ireland, our proud record in peacekeeping and people like John Ging who is a...
- Foreign Conflicts (20 Jan 2011)
Seán Barrett: I join with Deputy Higgins in wishing the former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Martin, every success in the future and thank him for his service. I am struck by this issue of money belonging to ordinary people being stolen by dictators who are being given comfort in other countries. Any ordinary person wishing to open a bank account must answer questions on money laundering and supply...
- Foreign Conflicts (20 Jan 2011)
Seán Barrett: I find this extraordinary. The Minister of State will be aware that the issues of Irish aid and allegations about Ethiopia were discussed yesterday at a meeting of the Joint Committee on European Affairs. I agree with the Minister of State and Deputy Higgins that the EU must not alone condemn this but should put in place systems that will not allow this to happen in the European Union or...
- Foreign Conflicts (20 Jan 2011)
Seán Barrett: There is a large Nigerian community in Ireland. Do these people have a vote in the elections? If so, what arrangements are we making through the Nigerian embassy to facilitate the casting of votes? It is disturbing that the wrong outcome in an election in this country and other African countries could lead to an increased flow of refugees into Ireland. I often wonder whether proper steps...
- Foreign Conflicts (20 Jan 2011)
Seán Barrett: Could the Minister of State have that checked?
- Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (20 Jan 2011)
Seán Barrett: Question 33: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he is taking to support a family (details supplied) whose son was shot dead in Bolivia and who have petitioned the United Nations to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2845/11]
- Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (20 Jan 2011)
Seán Barrett: Question 51: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action he and his colleagues in the EU will take to commence whatever action can be taken to deal with the serious situation evolving in Belarus where those supporting democracy are being jailed without trial and where actions are being taken to prevent the free reporting of information and the hacking of independent websites; and if...
- Finance Bill 2011: Committee Stage (26 Jan 2011)
Seán Barrett: On a point of order, am I correct in my understanding that sections of this Bill have been grouped?
- Finance Bill 2011: Committee Stage (26 Jan 2011)
Seán Barrett: What is the first grouping?
- Finance Bill 2011: Committee Stage (26 Jan 2011)
Seán Barrett: What are we debating now?
- Finance Bill 2011: Committee Stage (26 Jan 2011)
Seán Barrett: No. What sections are we debating in this group?
- Finance Bill 2011: Committee Stage (26 Jan 2011)
Seán Barrett: It is a disgrace that some important sections in this group will not be debated. We will be lucky to get through two or three amendments. There will be no debate on the proposed changes to pension arrangements, for example. I am keen to draw the attention of the House to this unsatisfactory situation.
- Finance Bill 2011: Committee Stage (26 Jan 2011)
Seán Barrett: As long as it is clear.
- Finance Bill 2011: Committee Stage (26 Jan 2011)
Seán Barrett: I have no problem with that
- Finance Bill 2011: Committee Stage (26 Jan 2011)
Seán Barrett: I thank the Chair.
- Finance Bill 2011: Committee Stage (26 Jan 2011)
Seán Barrett: Following on from what Deputy Costello had to say as regards people having some type of pension, I believe a system should be introduced whereby everybody contributes towards an old age pension. It is the easy to arrange. Again, we have been fiddling around with private pension funds to satisfy the failure to deal with this issue. I shall expand on that in a moment. Everybody should have...