Results 23,941-23,960 of 26,268 for speaker:Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (18 Jul 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: The responsibilities the Minister of State read out are those of the-----

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (18 Jul 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Beyond 12 we need the triple lock arrangement.

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (18 Jul 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: The reply reads as though there are more than 12.

Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (18 Jul 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I welcome the intention to recruit, but I would like us to do our figures on this. Am I right to assume we are 407 members short of the commitment to maintain a force of 9,500? Am I to expect, therefore, that the Minister will honour his commitment of maintaining the force at 9,500? The Minister of State has referred to financial constraints. Our understanding was that, notwithstanding the...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (18 Jul 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: This question was tabled for two reasons. The principal reason is because there seems to be a difference between what is being said by the Minister for Defence and what is being said by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The Minister of State has effectively said that the EU has been found wanting in terms of its decision-making process around Mali. I know many Members of this House have...

Other Questions: Cybersecurity Policy (18 Jul 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I commend the Minister for Justice and Equality, the Estonian Ministry of Defence and the European Defence Agency on convening this conference. Clearly, the Minister's task during the Presidency was to try to adopt a pan-European approach to the cybersecurity threat. Can the Minister of State tell me whether the Minister achieved any success in that regard? I wish to ask a specific...

Other Questions: Cybersecurity Policy (18 Jul 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I was asking whether the Minister made progress in getting a pan-European approach to this problem.

Other Questions: Overseas Missions (18 Jul 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I will be brief. I would like to pay tribute again to our men and women who have served in Afghanistan. It has been a long and difficult mission. What is the nature of the roles that have been undertaken by our personnel there in recent years? Are our forces based in Kabul or other parts of the country? Has there been rotation among personnel over the past number of years? Can the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Green Paper on Defence (18 Jul 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Is there anything else in the Green Paper that has been predetermined? What the Minister of State said is at variance with what the Taoiseach said, namely, that the triple lock was not for changing. The Minister included it for consideration and the Minister of State is telling us, contrary to what the Taoiseach said, that it is up for consideration and that submissions will be welcome on...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Green Paper on Defence (18 Jul 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 4. To ask the Minister for Defence when the Green Paper on Defence will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36051/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Green Paper on Defence (18 Jul 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: On a number of occasions I raised with the Minister for Defence the fact that carrying out a fundamental restructuring of the Defence Forces in advance of the publication of the Green Paper was something of a farce. In any event, the Green Paper has been published and it is welcome. We look forward to making contributions to the debate on it. The triple lock has quickly emerged as one of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Green Paper on Defence (18 Jul 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: The Minister of State should not be repeating that old hogwash.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (18 Jul 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: 1. To ask the Minister for Defence his views regarding the concerns expressed regarding lariam; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36050/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (18 Jul 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: This may be the last opportunity Members will have to paid tribute to the outgoing Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Seán McCann, on his three years at the helm, his outstanding work and on his career and lifetime commitment to the Defence Forces, as well as to welcome the appointment of Major General Conor O'Boyle. The former Minister for Defence, Tony Killeen, confirms this was an...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Medicinal Products (18 Jul 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Things are changing and new expertise is being brought to bear on these particular issues. I believe Deputy Mac Lochlainn may have referred to this when he raised the matter recently but the "Prime Time" programme found recently that there is a higher incidence of suicide in soldiers or Defence Forces personnel returning from overseas duty and that there can be a link drawn perhaps between...

Topical Issue Debate: Thalidomide Victims Compensation (18 Jul 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I seek clarification. The Minister of State is effectively saying that any financial compensation paid by the State now would be offset by the German authorities, which seems to be very unfair. While on the one hand there is a German responsibility, there is also an Irish responsibility. Obviously that matter remains to be further debated. Will the Minister for Health meet the two groups...

Topical Issue Debate: Thalidomide Victims Compensation (18 Jul 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I am aware the Acting Chairman, Deputy Jack Wall, has an interest in this issue and I am pleased the Minister of State, who has also demonstrated a keen interest in it over many years, is present for this discussion. I view the 32 victims of the thalidomide drug in the context of two other important groups, namely, the victims of symphysiotomy and the women survivors of the Magdalen...

Report of the Convention on the Constitution: Statements (18 Jul 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I am glad the Deputy's party is enjoying it.

Report of the Convention on the Constitution: Statements (18 Jul 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: He could always change.

Report of the Convention on the Constitution: Statements (18 Jul 2013)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: I value the opportunity to participate in this debate. I welcome Tom Arnold and Art O'Leary to the Distinguished Visitors Gallery. Like others, I want to start by paying tribute to all the staff of the convention who have been very effective in ensuring that it worked smoothly and effectively. The background organisation has been quite superb. I regret very much that I was not able to...