Results 13,821-13,840 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Discussion (31 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: At today's meeting we will meet with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, to discuss matters that have arisen at the Foreign Affairs Council and other matters relevant to foreign affairs and trade. I welcome the Minister and officials and thank them for the briefing they have provided for this meeting. The format is that we will hear the Minister's...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Discussion (31 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: We will take the issues together.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Discussion (31 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: The last item is important. It is not a matter for this meeting so the Tánaiste may refer to it at the conclusion of his comments.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Discussion (31 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: I will have to ask the Tánaiste to reply to the questions when we return from the vote in the Chamber.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Discussion (31 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: We are now resuming in public session. Could the Minister please respond to Senator Lawless's questions?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Discussion (31 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: We are stretching things in terms of the reporting of the Foreign Affairs Council last Monday, albeit this is a very important subject.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Discussion (31 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Collins wants to raise a particular issue. The Minister is under a time constraint.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Discussion (31 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: I will have to get very firm with the committee on this latitude. There is a certain elasticity to it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Discussion (31 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: I call the Tánaiste on the relevant issues.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Discussion (31 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: I echo the comments of committee members about the courtesy and help of the officials in the Minister's office and in the passport office. The past two weeks have been difficult for all of us in dealing with constituents' queries and I want to record our appreciation of the work of the staff in the Minister's office and the passport office in dealing with large numbers. I receive numerous...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Discussion (31 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: On behalf of the committee, I thank the Tánaiste for the briefing he has provided here today. He has dealt with members' questions in a very comprehensive manner.

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (12 Jun 2018)

Brendan Smith: 39. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the particular concerns of communities throughout the Border region regarding the adverse impact Brexit will have on the area and the need to upgrade infrastructure such as the road network in order to assist businesses to remain competitive (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (12 Jun 2018)

Brendan Smith: As the Minister is aware, there is great uncertainty and concern in Border communities, in the Cavan-Monaghan constituency I represent and in neighbouring counties, both north and south of the Border, regarding the adverse impact Brexit will have on our daily lives. There are considerable concerns regarding the impact on the local economy. As the Minister is aware and as we debated in the...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (12 Jun 2018)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. I referenced in particular the need to develop the east-west route. Unfortunately, this project is not referenced in the section of the plan dealing with investment in the Border region. It is regrettable that this is not a priority project. I appreciate the opportunity to discuss in this Chamber with the Minister the need to develop to east-west...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (12 Jun 2018)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the Minister's commitment to visit the area. I would be happy to show him the roads concerned. Traffic from Cavan to Clones passes through County Fermanagh three times. From the point of view of the transport industry, the concerns of which the Minister will be aware of in terms of possible tariffs and barriers to the free movement of goods, people and services, economies North...

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (12 Jun 2018)

Brendan Smith: 44. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the necessary upgrading of national and regional roads in the Border region will be prioritised for investment due to the particular economic challenges that will arise for the region following Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25397/18]

Other Questions: Brexit Issues (12 Jun 2018)

Brendan Smith: I will take just one supplementary in order to facilitate other members. I welcome the fact that the Minister has committed to visiting the Border region during the summer months to see at first hand the interdependence of the road network in the North and the South and the huge challenges that businesses and commerce in general in the Border region face due to the adverse impact that Brexit...

Death of Shane O'Farrell: Motion [Private Members] (12 Jun 2018)

Brendan Smith: Like all other members, I again convey my sincere sympathy to the O'Farrell family on the tragic loss of Shane. I do not have the words to describe adequately the immeasurable loss to the O'Farrell family of Shane's passing. He was a much loved son and brother. The local community in Carrickmacross holds the O'Farrell family in high esteem and Shane's untimely passing and tragic death is a...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Apprenticeship Programmes (12 Jun 2018)

Brendan Smith: 343. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a recent report (details supplied) on the availability of skilled personnel for a sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24703/18]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Operations (12 Jun 2018)

Brendan Smith: 446. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when it is planned to establish the Garda insurance fraud unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24933/18]