Results 14,241-14,260 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drugs Crime (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: 6. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he is satisfied with the level of sanctions and penalties for persons charged with drug offences; his plans to introduce additional measures to deal with the scourge of drugs which is blighting communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49659/18]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drugs Crime (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: I represent two rural counties, Cavan and Monaghan. Until recently, we thankfully did not have substantive problems with drug-related crime or drug-related issues. Unfortunately, that has changed in recent times. Communities throughout Cavan and Monaghan have serious concerns regarding the use, misuse, prevalence and availability of drugs in every parish. Unfortunately, it is my...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drugs Crime (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. He referred to a person who is found in possession of drugs worth €13,000 or more and the mandatory minimum sentence of ten years. From reports I have heard and from what I have read, there always seems to be mitigating circumstances. How often are those sentences actually handed down? In many instances we hear that a given person in a community,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drugs Crime (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. I have been contacted by people from previously quiet communities who have never had cause to approach me or any other public representative in their lives. They are now utterly frustrated with the prevalence of drugs and the horror being caused by the ready availability of certain drugs. We have discussed previously in this House the unique policing...

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: I support the very reasonable requests put forward by colleagues in respect of this very important amendment. It is very reasonable and I do not know how anyone could have grounds to object to it. I sincerely hope the Minister can accede to this amendment. It is important from the point of view that everything is stressful enough, there is enough of pain and suffering in the termination...

Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: I support the amendment also. Quite rightly, we hear in the House and at every committee people advocating strongly for support for the most vulnerable in society. It is a basic tenet which we should all support. There is no one more vulnerable than the baby catered for in this particular amendment. The protection offered if this amendment were accepted would provide support to infants...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: 45. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the need to provide additional staffing resources to the Border region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49658/18]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Tax Agreements (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: 68. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of Irish citizens that were born in the United States of America but came to live in Ireland at a very young age and that have retained their US citizenship and are now classed as accidental Americans (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49958/18]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: 92. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for additional facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50031/18]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: 93. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a long approved building project for a school (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage in view of the inadequate accommodation at the school at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50032/18]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Insurance Fraud (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: 95. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in establishing a dedicated fraud unit within An Garda Síochána in view of recent comments in relation to the urgent need to establish same (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50043/18]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff Remuneration (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: 131. To ask the Minister for Health if an organisation (details supplied) will be included in the pay restoration process in view of the urgent need to improve the remuneration for these workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50029/18]

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Dementia Strategy (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: 133. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons with dementia that receive treatment in psychiatric units attached to general hospitals or in other psychiatric units instead of receiving appropriate treatment in general hospitals; if physical restraint is applied to dementia patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49854/18]

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: 205. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the projects approved to date in counties Cavan and Monaghan under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund; when the next tranche of projects will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49994/18]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Returning Irish Emigrants: Discussion (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: I ask members, delegates and those in the Visitors Gallery to ensure their mobile phones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference, even when left in silent mode, with the broadcasting and recording equipment in the committee room. The meeting is being broadcast live on Oireachtas TV and across the various media platforms. I remind members of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Returning Irish Emigrants: Discussion (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: I thank Ms McLaughlin and Mr. King. I invite Ms Karen McHugh to make her opening statement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Returning Irish Emigrants: Discussion (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: I thank Ms McHugh. I call Ms Kirrane.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Returning Irish Emigrants: Discussion (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: I thank Ms Kirrane and her colleagues for their presentations on issues affecting people daily. In regard to Ms Kirrane's remarks, some members of this committee visited London during the summer. We met with different Irish groups and visited different Irish centres. Those were often centres where there have often not been high profile visits in the past. We were delighted to meet with so...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Returning Irish Emigrants: Discussion (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: Could we get quick responses? I have other members to bring in as well and the issues may cross over again.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Returning Irish Emigrants: Discussion (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: Does Mr. King or Ms McLaughlin wish to come in regarding Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan's questions?