Results 17,101-17,120 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (19 Apr 2023)

Brendan Smith: 142. To ask the Minister for Health the measures that are being implemented to eliminate the unacceptable delays experienced by persons who qualified in Northern Ireland or in Britain in having their qualifications recognised in Ireland in areas such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18425/23]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Pensions and Social Security: Discussion (20 Apr 2023)

Brendan Smith: I thank Dr Fitzpatrick. I will make a few comments. Senator McGreehan referred to the absence of political institutions. Of course, a lot of this work on a North-South basis should have been taking place at the North-South Ministerial Council where Ministers meet in sectoral format. They could have been making progress in regard to a convergence of systems and one learning from the other...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Pensions and Social Security: Discussion (20 Apr 2023)

Brendan Smith: I thank Dr. Boland. Does Ms Hanna want to speak again?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Pensions and Social Security: Discussion (20 Apr 2023)

Brendan Smith: The next slot is for the Green Party. Are there are Green Party members online? No. The next slot is then for Sinn Féin MPs. Is there anybody offering? Mr. Brady may go ahead.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Pensions and Social Security: Discussion (20 Apr 2023)

Brendan Smith: I thank Mr. Brady.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Pensions and Social Security: Discussion (20 Apr 2023)

Brendan Smith: I thank Mr. Brady.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Pensions and Social Security: Discussion (20 Apr 2023)

Brendan Smith: We are running out of time. Deputy Wynne has the next seven and a half minutes and there is just a minute left for the response of both witnesses to Senator Black.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Pensions and Social Security: Discussion (20 Apr 2023)

Brendan Smith: I thank Dr. Fitzpatrick.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Pensions and Social Security: Discussion (20 Apr 2023)

Brendan Smith: There are only just two. Unfortunately, we have to try to get back to other people again. That is the norm.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Pensions and Social Security: Discussion (20 Apr 2023)

Brendan Smith: Senator Black has a further question, which we will take. We will then group the responses together. That might make the best use of time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Pensions and Social Security: Discussion (20 Apr 2023)

Brendan Smith: I made the point earlier that there is too much dependence on people having access to IT and IT knowledge nowadays when they apply for public services. It is intimidating people who, unfortunately, do not have those skills. That applies to both public services and private utilities. I instanced the valuable role of community welfare officers. We do not have enough of them nowadays. In...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Pensions and Social Security: Discussion (20 Apr 2023)

Brendan Smith: I thank Mr. Brady. Is everybody okay? Nobody else is offering. I again thank Dr. Fitzpatrick and Dr. Boland for their very interesting contributions. I heard Dr. Fitzpatrick speak at Ulster University some weeks ago where she outlined many other issues that need particular attention in Northern Ireland. She emphasised the need for an adequate childcare programme throughout Ireland, but...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategies (25 Apr 2023)

Brendan Smith: 6. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the current situation in regard to the development of a national security strategy. [19256/23]

Ceisteanna - Questions: Departmental Strategies (25 Apr 2023)

Brendan Smith: The Taoiseach referred to the threat from republican paramilitaries as being an ongoing priority of the Government. Those thugs and criminals masquerading as republicans or loyalists do threaten security, in particular in the Border region. In that context, in all discussions that the Government has with the Garda Commissioner, it must be emphasised time and again that adequate resources...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: North-South Interconnector (27 Apr 2023)

Brendan Smith: 83. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment in view of the inadequacy of the review of the proposed North-South interconnector carried out in 2018, given that it did not take into account the concerns of householders, farmers and communities in relation to a number of aspects of this proposed project, if he will ensure that the concerns of local communities will...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: North-South Interconnector (27 Apr 2023)

Brendan Smith: As the Minister is well aware, there is outright opposition in communities in Monaghan, Cavan and Meath to the proposal to put overground the transmission cables for the proposed North-South interconnector. Over the years the Minister has heard me state that if the project is to go ahead those transmission cables should be put underground. The communities affected and the landowners have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: North-South Interconnector (27 Apr 2023)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. I vehemently disagree with him that the views of communities, farmers and households have been taken into account in preparation for this project. This has not been the case. As the Minister knows better than I do, since this project was first initiated 16 years ago there have been great advances in technology which have enabled more undergrounding of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: North-South Interconnector (27 Apr 2023)

Brendan Smith: In every engagement I have with individuals living in our counties, on a person-to-person basis or at public meetings, they all state they fully understand this is critical infrastructure. They say they are not against the project but they are against the project going ahead in the form of having overground transmission cables. In other countries in Europe, similar projects can be put...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (27 Apr 2023)

Brendan Smith: The Deputy has got in twice.