Results 20,701-20,720 of 27,055 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Passport Applications (22 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: Regarding the renewal of applications within 15 days, I do not believe all of those are being met. Online appointments are limited, as the Minister said, and it is not a real option for people. I welcome the fact that he will issue an up-to-date note but my particular issue with this is that the figures for last year show there was an increase of almost 10%, with 740,000 passports being...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Passport Applications (22 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: It is important that we recognise that there is a problem. I raised this matter with the Minister on 15 December 2016. I welcome the fact that additional resources are in place but permanent additional resources are needed. I would support the Minister in his efforts to do that because if the turnaround time for passport renewals is 15 working days, that is not the evidence I have...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad (22 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: 34. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the new efforts his Department will make to secure the release of a person (details supplied) whose trial has been postponed for the 19th time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8546/17]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (22 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: 49. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised the issue at EU Foreign Affairs Council meetings of the demolition in Palestine of structures provided for by humanitarian aid and EU member states; if any course of action has been decided upon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8548/17]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (22 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: 146. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the comments made by the US President, Mr. Trump, during his meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister regarding the two-state solution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8868/17]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Agreements (22 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: 151. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the countries that have an association agreement with the European Union in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8960/17]

Public Services and Procurement (Social Value) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: It has been once or twice.

Public Services and Procurement (Social Value) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: Absolutely. On a more serious note this is important legislation. It follows on from the work we did in 2015. Fianna Fáil has been consistent. We are asking the Minister of State to do what the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, did by accepting this Bill, but moving it on and bringing it into law.

Public Services and Procurement (Social Value) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: I commend Deputy Frank O'Rourke for proposing this Bill. He has done much work in engaging with the various sectors affected by this issue. I looked back over the work of the last Oireachtas to find that the only Bill to pass all Stages in the Seanad was the Public Services and Procurement (Social Value) Bill 2015, which Senator Marc MacSharry co-sponsored. It was from that Bill that we...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Joint Sitting with Joint Committee on European Union Affairs
First Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr. Frans Timmermans: Discussion (21 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: It is good that the Commissioner is here. I would like him to be clear that most of us would not agree with having a bilateral arrangement or negotiations with Britain. I rejected that on behalf of my party when it was floated following the report from the House of Lords. I, on behalf of my party, rejected this when it was floated after the publication of the House of Lords report. It...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Joint Sitting with Joint Committee on European Union Affairs
First Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr. Frans Timmermans: Discussion (21 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: I asked about state aid. That is important.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Joint Sitting with Joint Committee on European Union Affairs
First Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr. Frans Timmermans: Discussion (21 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: Okay. I thank Mr. Timmermans.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (21 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: 99. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the Garda numbers for the Malahide Garda station in north Dublin for each of the years 2005 to 2010, inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8351/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (21 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: 214. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the serious lack of primary school places in Swords, County Dublin, where hundreds of children cannot gain access to junior infants; the steps he and his Department are taking to address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8536/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (21 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: 215. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide the necessary school accommodation and resources to meet the additional demand for primary school places in Swords, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8537/17]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Payments (21 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: 287. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has received a sum of £836.39 sterling from the UK Department for Work and Pensions in respect of a payment due to a person (details supplied); when his Department will pay that money to the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8055/17]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (21 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: 334. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has spoken to the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, recently. [6717/17]

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (16 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: I apologise for being late. I have read the Minister's statement and wish to raise two points. I am sure the Department was aware that there would be an increase in passport applications. I heard on the media this morning that the Minister intends to employ additional staff in the passport service, although that is not specifically alluded to in his address. How many extra staff does he...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (16 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister for his comments. I note provision has been made for a 7% increase in salaries and wages next year. Perhaps the Minister or Mr. Gormley will answer my questions on staffing. Will the Department advertise for additional staff and if so, how many? Recruitment was reported on RTE, the national broadcaster. Not everything RTE says is true but it might be in this...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (16 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: The Minister indicated in his statement that he has spoken at least once to every other EU foreign Minister. That is crucial. I know he intends to keep that engagement going. How many bilateral meetings does the Taoiseach have left to do with his counterparts? I understand from questions to him yesterday that he may have done one third of the meetings. What plans are there to ramp up...