Results 20,201-20,220 of 27,272 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Defined Benefit Pension Schemes (20 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: 936. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she will take to safeguard workers' defined benefit pension schemes; the further steps she will take to prevent solvent companies walking away from their obligations to their employees in defined benefit pension schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11918/18]

Diaspora Issues: Statements (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: The correction started in about 2008 or 2009.

Diaspora Issues: Statements (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: I am glad the Deputy is back, but I want to correct the record.

Diaspora Issues: Statements (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: During the Troubles, many people left.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: That is a pity.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: I will be obedient.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: Tuigim. The Minister is welcome. Following the Chairman's instructions, I will confine myself to questions. I know that it is the Minster's first time before the committee apart from legislation, there having been a Bill when he took over. It would be opportune for us to have a committee meeting around some of the areas which the Minister covered in order that we might cover them in more...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: We can do it when we are not under time pressure.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: I understand that. That is fair enough. We can reschedule it. The Minister referred to the consular staff and the service in particular, and the work that is being done here in Dublin by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. I want to record my appreciation of this. Unfortunately, we all have instances where tragedies happen to families that we represent. The professionalism,...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: I have some very quick questions on the requirement for a public services card for a passport. I know we have thrown a lot at the Minister. I very much welcome the fact that the Minister will publish what he is going to do in 2019 with regard to the opening of new embassies and consulates. If the footprint also includes, which it does, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the Ireland House...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: So the Department is looking at all of this. I will leave it at that.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: There is an absolute necessity to increase the figure substantially. I also agree with the Minister that we should increase the level of official development assistance, but within the overall budget for foreign affairs we could do a lot more than provide €11.59 million and I believe there is the political will to do so. I asked how many of the 490 applicants had to be turned away...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: There is much in this programme which is crucial. The 17.5% increase is absolutely required and we fully understand the reason for it. We could have a full discussion on the programme and its priority. I know that the Tánaiste must report to other committees also, but at the appropriate time it would be really useful for him to come back to speak about the programme, particularly the...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: I have a question about the destruction of UNRWA-funded and Irish Aid-funded schools in the West Bank. The Minister has received correspondence on that and it was raised previously. Have we or UNRWA received any compensation from the Israelis for UNRWA-funded or Irish Aid-funded schools that were destroyed recently?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: I thought so.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: I believe it was an Irish Aid funded school the last time.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: Recently, and the officials will know about this and I received correspondence and pictures about it, a school that was co-funded by the Irish Government was demolished by the Israelis. The Minister is aware of that. I know the Minister raised it with the Israelis but has he received a response on any compensation?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: The office can be named after him.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: We have discussed this before and I welcome the stated commitment to get back on track to reach the 0.7% target. I know that there is a real opportunity now to seize the goodwill that is there and to seize the political consensus, certainly through this committee, which was evident at the report launch. It is a valuable report. When the Minister of State is working on the White Paper he...

Diaspora Issues: Statements (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: That should be expedited because access to health insurance is a big issue for people, particularly those with young families. I have had to write to the VHI, the country's largest insurer, regarding specific cases and I have sent examples to the Department. I would welcome the statutory instrument. Perhaps the Minister of State can advise on the timeframe for its introduction. There...