Results 2,121-2,140 of 7,401 for speaker:John Brady

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Reports on Service by the Defence Forces with the UN and Permanent Structured Cooperation Projects: Motions (30 Jun 2022)

John Brady: We can do that. However, I am saying it is impossible to separate neutrality and the future of the Defence Forces potentially outside a UN mandate.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Reports on Service by the Defence Forces with the UN and Permanent Structured Cooperation Projects: Motions (30 Jun 2022)

John Brady: Roll over the Defence Forces.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) Projects: Motion (30 Jun 2022)

John Brady: I thank the Minister. The Minister said that most countries are involved in more PESCO projects than Ireland is. This is true-----

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) Projects: Motion (30 Jun 2022)

John Brady: It is also safe to say that a lot of those, or most EU countries, are also members of NATO. I just want to put this into context.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) Projects: Motion (30 Jun 2022)

John Brady: I believe there is an attempt to obscure the continuous erosion of Ireland's neutrality by attempting to portray the participation in PESCO as benign training and co-operation opportunities for the Defence Forces. It is impossible to separate it away from the stated position and rhetoric from officials within the EU and European parties. The Minister's party is a member of the European...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) Projects: Motion (30 Jun 2022)

John Brady: -----what is presented in front of us here today with the broader outlook and the broader moves by the European project for a European army, and the jettison of our military neutrality. The Minister might speak on those broader views within the EU in terms of what I believe PESCO is being used towards. Many would say it is a Trojan horse to develop an EU army. It is impossible not to look...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) Projects: Motion (30 Jun 2022)

John Brady: We are a neutral country.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) Projects: Motion (30 Jun 2022)

John Brady: The point is that we are a neutral country.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) Projects: Motion (30 Jun 2022)

John Brady: I never insinuated there was. For correction, I never stated that. I spoke about Josep Borrell in a separate context in relation to comments that he made last month on the need to develop a military force within the EU. The other comments on the European Peoples Party and its stated position in its manifesto is-----

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) Projects: Motion (30 Jun 2022)

John Brady: -----in terms of the development of a European army.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) Projects: Motion (30 Jun 2022)

John Brady: I was referring to Josep Borrell speaking on the development of military strength not humanitarian assistance.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) Projects: Motion (30 Jun 2022)

John Brady: Nobody would argue against those points. Our Defence Forces need all of that. Yet, this is a matter of the vehicle in which it is being used and where the final destination will be. That is the issue of concern. I have two points. The Minister spoke about the benchmarks that we have to adhere to in order to be of NATO standard. Of course, there has been much focus on NATO. I...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) Projects: Motion (30 Jun 2022)

John Brady: They are big questions but-----

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) Projects: Motion (30 Jun 2022)

John Brady: ------I think they are core questions.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) Projects: Motion (30 Jun 2022)

John Brady: The question was do you think we should at any stage.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (28 Jun 2022)

John Brady: 81. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the plans that his Department has for the proper disposal of a number of vessels from the Naval Service fleet which have come to the end of their service life and are due to be decommissioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34173/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (28 Jun 2022)

John Brady: Not to be outdone, I am going to make a proposal as well. While Cork is well served by Haulbowline and the footprint of the Naval Service there, we will have to consider the east coast in the context of our Naval Service as well, and there would be no better location to establish a base than Arklow in my constituency. It would be a great home for the LÉ Eithnein future. We must...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (28 Jun 2022)

John Brady: I wish to return to the point the Minister made about a government-to-government transfer and what is being looked at regarding the transfer of LÉ Orla and LÉ Ciara. The Minister will be well aware of comments made by Members of the House calling for the vessels to be transferred to Ukraine. As sympathetic as I am with Ukraine and what is going on in there in terms of the illegal...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Directives (28 Jun 2022)

John Brady: I thank the Minister. The consultation is key to this because there can be no exemptions or derogations without agreement and the associated protections for all members of the Defence Forces. I asked the Minister a specific question because key to the full implementation of the working time directive is the conciliation and arbitration subcommittee that was established in 2019. It is my...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Reports (28 Jun 2022)

John Brady: 71. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current status of the report from the commission on the future of the Defence Forces; when there will be a full Government response on the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34179/22]