Results 16,641-16,660 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Architects of the Good Friday Agreement: Mr. Tim O'Connor (26 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: Yes. In Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, Breffni Park and elsewhere. Mr. O'Connor also mentioned the ceasefire in July 1997 and I remember where I was that day. I was at the Ulster final in Clones, which Cavan won of course, which was important. We do not win enough of them but Mr. O'Connor's county is on a high with hurling at the moment and it is great to see such athleticism, quality...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Architects of the Good Friday Agreement: Mr. Tim O'Connor (26 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: So those of us who are privileged to be in public life and to be in elected office have to treasure and always hold uppermost in our minds that we have a mandate to implement that agreement. We know there are difficulties and unfortunately there are aspects of the Good Friday Agreement that are not working. We can rehash why that is happening but that is not the purpose of our exercise...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Architects of the Good Friday Agreement: Mr. Tim O'Connor (26 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: I am glad that Mr. O'Connor mentioned Dermot Gallagher. After Dermot left the public service I used to meet him the odd time at football matches in Cavan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Architects of the Good Friday Agreement: Mr. Tim O'Connor (26 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: They are very interesting. It was very interesting to hear Senator McGreehan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Architects of the Good Friday Agreement: Mr. Tim O'Connor (26 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: It is wonderful to have had Mr. O'Connor with us for more than two hours. I refer to preparation. He mentioned Articles 2 and 3. It comes back to the point raised by Senator McGreehan. I remember that my party in particular was very much attached------

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Architects of the Good Friday Agreement: Mr. Tim O'Connor (26 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: The Fianna Fáil Party in government in 1937 put the Constitution before the people to be enacted by the electorate. If Bertie Ahern were to appear before the committee, he would be able to go into it in detail, but I remember that during the negotiations he met several of us back bench Deputies and Senators. He broached the subject of changing Articles 2 and 3. We said, "What?" To my...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Architects of the Good Friday Agreement: Mr. Tim O'Connor (26 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: Fianna Fáil probably had 80 Deputies and 20 Senators at the time. We were a big parliamentary party and we were all surprised when the issue was broached first. The preparatory work was done, however, and there was then no dissent whatsoever within the Fianna Fáil Party in that regard because we saw the importance of it. It was not sprung on people as a surprise. The homework...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Architects of the Good Friday Agreement: Mr. Tim O'Connor (26 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: Yes. It is a pity that more people did not listen to them. Those who were there, such as Mr. O'Connor, saw the reality and the difficulties of reaching an agreement as well as the huge amount of work and preparation that goes into it. Several members have expressed the hope that Mr. O'Connor will put down in writing his recollections so that they can be accessed and inform the history of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Architects of the Good Friday Agreement: Mr. Tim O'Connor (26 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: Again, that showed the necessity of doing the preparatory work. We were significant------

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Architects of the Good Friday Agreement: Mr. Tim O'Connor (26 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: I remember being told this in Ballyconnell at 7 a.m. on a Monday by the Taoiseach at the time. The Chairman has heard me mention on several occasions that there is a lack of respect nowadays in this country, and possibly elsewhere as well, for experience and corporate knowledge, particularly in governance. In political life at least, there is a lack of respect for the experience and...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (14 Jun 2022)

Brendan Smith: As the Taoiseach knows, in early 2021, the Northern Ireland planned healthcare scheme was put in place as a replacement for the European Union cross-border directive, following Britain’s exit from the EU. This scheme and its predecessor have enabled large numbers of patients to access treatment or surgery or both in Northern Ireland and elsewhere, paid for by this State. By and...

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (14 Jun 2022)

Brendan Smith: 14. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council. [30061/22]

Ceisteanna - Questions: National Economic and Social Council (14 Jun 2022)

Brendan Smith: The Taoiseach told us some time ago that NESC is undertaking work on behalf of the shared island unit in the context of the economy and regional development. I suggested that a particular work project should be undertaken on the specific challenges faced by the Border region, in particular the central Border area of Cavan, Monaghan, Fermanagh and Tyrone. We are very dependent on the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (16 Jun 2022)

Brendan Smith: 48. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has had recent discussions with the Central Bank in relation to the difficulties facing customers transferring accounts from banks (details supplied) to other retail banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31295/22]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (16 Jun 2022)

Brendan Smith: 49. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the need to extend the timeline for banks (details supplied) exiting this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31296/22]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Management (16 Jun 2022)

Brendan Smith: 111. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the total expenditure in 2021 on the minor flood mitigation works scheme; the financial provision for this scheme in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31325/22]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Northern Ireland (16 Jun 2022)

Brendan Smith: 130. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the Peace Plus Programme will become operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31324/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Architects of the Good Friday Agreement (Resumed): Mr. David Donoghue and Mr. Rory Montgomery (2 Jun 2022)

Brendan Smith: I thank Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Donoghue. There is over three minutes left in Mr. Brady's slot. Does Mr. Brady want to make a further comment? Is Ms Gildernew on the line?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Architects of the Good Friday Agreement (Resumed): Mr. David Donoghue and Mr. Rory Montgomery (2 Jun 2022)

Brendan Smith: There is three and a half minutes left in the slot.