Results 1,881-1,900 of 2,846 for speaker:Colm Brophy

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defence Forces (15 Feb 2022)

Colm Brophy: I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney. The Minister welcomes the publication of the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. The establishment of the Commission on the Defence Forces was set out in the programme for Government and was a key priority for the Minister for Defence. The publication of the report...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defence Forces (15 Feb 2022)

Colm Brophy: As the Senator will be aware, I have outlined some of the key matters in the commission's report. I will certainly take on board what she has said and the important points that she has raised and bring them to the Minister, in terms of following on from this. I reiterate that given the significant recommendations in the report, that period of consideration is required. The report will...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (22 Feb 2022)

Colm Brophy: Ireland's current International Election Observation Roster has 197 active members, sufficient to enable Ireland to continue to respond to calls for nominate observers to election observation missions organised by the European Union and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The current roster will expire on 31 December 2023.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Undocumented Irish in the USA (1 Mar 2022)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. Addressing the situation of undocumented Irish immigrants in the USA and working to secure legal pathways for those wishing to regularise their status has been, as the Senator rightly pointed out, a priority issue for successive Governments and continues to be a priority for the current Government. Emigration matters continue to be...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Undocumented Irish in the USA (1 Mar 2022)

Colm Brophy: I share the Senator's view that there is an opportunity. As I said, we are absolutely committed to working on this issue at every single level. It is an issue that I have worked on, as has the Minister and the Taoiseach. It is a very important issue and we will use the opportunity of the upcoming St. Patrick's Day events to continue that engagement. Thankfully, there is a willingness in...

Seanad: Situation in the Middle East: Statements (1 Mar 2022)

Colm Brophy: I am here with Members of the House to address both the current situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories and, in particular, the issues raised in the report published on 1 February by Amnesty International. Amnesty International is a respected NGO that carries out important work around the world. The Government values the vital role it and other civil society...

Seanad: Situation in the Middle East: Statements (1 Mar 2022)

Colm Brophy: There are copies outside and available in the anteroom, I believe. My apologies.

Seanad: Situation in the Middle East: Statements (1 Mar 2022)

Colm Brophy: Ireland has been consistently clear that the restrictions imposed on Palestinians undermine the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, a right that is at the heart of the two-state solution. Ireland has been forthright in expressing concern regarding the unequal treatment of Palestinians and the application of different standards in the occupied Palestinian territories. We...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (1 Mar 2022)

Colm Brophy: I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Questions No. 387 of 8 February 2022 and No. 401 of 22 February 2022 for matters relating to the Election Observation Roster. The current roster was established by my Department on 1 January 2019 for a period of five years and runs until 31 December 2023. It comprises 197 volunteers who were selected following an open and competitive application process...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (1 Mar 2022)

Colm Brophy: The Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) is a tangible expression of the Government’s support, commitment to, and interest in, global Irish communities, as outlined in Global Ireland: Ireland’s Diaspora Strategy 2020-2025.  The new strategy, a key commitment in the Programme for Government, keeps the welfare of the Irish Abroad at the heart of the ESP and it takes a more...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (1 Mar 2022)

Colm Brophy: UNFPA is an important Irish Aid partner, which will receive €4 million in unearmarked core funding this year. No specific funding for the UNFPA Supplies Programme is proposed.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (2 Mar 2022)

Colm Brophy: I am extremely concerned by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked attack is causing immense suffering for the people of Ukraine. Russia’s war is illegal and immoral, and Ireland’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering. Ireland will do all it can to support the humanitarian response both in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (2 Mar 2022)

Colm Brophy: I am extremely concerned by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked attack is causing immense suffering for the people of Ukraine. Russia’s war is illegal and immoral, and Ireland’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering. Ireland will do all it can to support the humanitarian response both in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (3 Mar 2022)

Colm Brophy: I am extremely concerned by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked attack is causing immense suffering for the people of Ukraine. Russia’s war is illegal and immoral, and Ireland’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering. Ireland will do all it can to support the humanitarian response both in...

International Women's Day: Statements (Resumed) (8 Mar 2022)

Colm Brophy: I am very pleased to have been in the Chamber today to listen to and reflect on the concerns regarding gender inequality that have been expressed. While we have made significant advances in recent years, as the Taoiseach noted, we still have much work to do. The Taoiseach has outlined a number of initiatives the Government is undertaking to promote gender equality, particularly in the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (8 Mar 2022)

Colm Brophy: On behalf of the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As she will be aware, under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, which encompasses all operational policing matters, including the allocation of resources. The Minister for...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Garda Síochána (8 Mar 2022)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Deputy again for raising the issue. I will convey her comments to the Minister. It is important to restate the key point I made, that is, that local and senior Garda management are consulted during the allocation of personnel. They are responsible for the specific deployment or assignment of duties undertaken at divisional level. With regard to Text Alert, I have heard what...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Scoileanna Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta (8 Mar 2022)

Colm Brophy: I am taking this Topical Issue matter on behalf of the Minister for Education. I thank Deputy Connolly for raising the matter. It provides an opportunity to clarify the current position in relation to Scoil Náisiúnta Bhríde. As the Deputy is aware, Scoil Náisiúnta Bhríde is an all-Irish co-educational primary school with a Catholic ethos. The current...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Scoileanna Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta (8 Mar 2022)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Deputy. Obviously, as I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Education, I will ensure that the Minister is made aware of the questions the Deputy has raised. To reiterate the key point, as indicated, the decision-making authority for school closures or amalgamations is the school patron. No request for the approval of the closure of Scoil Náisiúnta...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Arts Council (8 Mar 2022)

Colm Brophy: I will take this Commencement matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.I thank Senator Hoey for the opportunity to discuss this matter. The Arts Council is the statutory body charged with supporting developing arts in Ireland. When it comes to funding the arts in any democratic state, the arms length principle is a fundamental...