Results 14,441-14,460 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency Project: Motion (12 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: We will take up that offer. The Minister of State made it previously, but owing to time constraints and diary commitments, we were unable to avail of it.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: European Defence Agency Project: Motion (12 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State. That concludes our consideration of the motion.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Message to Dáil (12 Feb 2019)

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 motion: That Dáil Éireann approves Ireland's participation in a European Defence Agency Project in relation to Military Search Capability Building pursuant to section 2 of the...

Death of Former Members: Expressions of Sympathy (13 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: I join with other Members in paying tribute to the late Brendan McGahon and my former constituency colleague, the late Seymour Crawford. Seymour and I were both elected to the Dáil on the same day in 1992. Although we differed in our politics, we were always able to work closely together on issues of concern to constituents. On constituency issues, Seymour was a good colleague and a...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services Funding (13 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 47. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding provided in 2018 towards the provision of new or upgraded childcare places; the financial provision for such developments in 2019; the number of childcare places that will be supported with such funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6994/19]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Childcare Services Funding (13 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 55. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to increase the level of maximum grant aid towards the provision of new or upgraded childcare facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6995/19]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (13 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 75. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of his recent discussions with authorities and members of the Senate and House of Representatives in the United States of America regarding Brexit issues and immigration reform, with particular reference to the undocumented Irish and the possibility of progressing the E3 visa programme; and if he will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Brexit Issues (13 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 97. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there will be no changes to the structure or layout of a former military installation (details supplied) pending resolution of the terms of the British exit from the European Union and a full appraisal of the security requirements of the Army and An Garda Síochána in the Border region; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Afforestation Programme (13 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 151. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to change the rate of premium payments for afforestation to ensure that full-time farmers receive a higher rate of payment than persons who are not dependent on farming for an income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7158/19]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Supports (13 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 154. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the plans he will present to the European Commission in regard to the need to introduce a package of market supports and direct aid for farmers in view of the difficulties arising from poor prices for livestock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7206/19]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Live Exports (13 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 155. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the additional measures he plans to introduce to enable growth in the live export trade in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7207/19]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Trade Agreements (13 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 156. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the plans he will present to the EU agriculture Commissioner and the EU trade Commissioner regarding the need to protect farming interests here in negotiations concerning a proposed Mercosur trade deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7208/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Prevention (14 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 9. To ask the Minister for Finance the additional measures he plans to implement to counteract cross-Border smuggling and illicit trade in fuel, tobacco and drink products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7242/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Prevention (14 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: I have been constantly tabling parliamentary questions to the Minister and his colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, about the need to deal with the criminals involved in illicit cross-Border trade and smuggling. The issue goes back over many decades. In one reply, the Minister referred to the resourcefulness of those involved in those forms of criminal activity. It is an area...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Prevention (14 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: It is important that Revenue and the Minister's Department constantly evaluate the effectiveness of the different measures in place because those criminals, including paramilitary gangs in some instances, have significant resources and the State can never underestimate the resourcefulness of those people involved in criminal activity. I fully appreciate that the new marker system has had...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Prevention (14 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his response and I do not doubt the good work of the Revenue Commissioners in any way. I take this opportunity to compliment many revenue officers who dealt with very hostile situations in the past. People stood up to those criminals and thugs. We also want to protect legitimate business. I compliment the Retailers Against Smuggling group, which continues to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Insurance Costs (14 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 12. To ask the Minister for Finance when he plans to implement additional recommendations of the insurance working group; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns in many sectors about increased insurance costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7243/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Insurance Costs (14 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: As the Minister is well aware, the cost of insurance is a huge burden on customers, be they businesses, charities or sports clubs. People continue to face insurance premiums far in excess of what is justified or fair. According to the most recent figures from the Central Statistics Office, CSO, that I have seen, while premiums decreased in 2017, they have increased considerably, by more...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Insurance Costs (14 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. My understanding is that one of the key recommendations of the report was the establishment of a national claims database. Legislation to establish that database was to be enacted more than 12 months ago. What is the up-to-date position in respect of that recommendation? One other recommendation that has been brought to all of our attention,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (14 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 53. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on recent comments by the Committee on the Administration of Justice regarding the rights of persons in Northern Ireland claiming Irish citizenship after Brexit following a reply by the British immigration Minister regarding the rights of persons to Irish or British citizenship under the Good Friday Agreement; if in all...