Results 221-240 of 732 for speaker:Cathal Berry

Deployment of Naval Service Vessel to Participate in Operation Irini: Motion (25 Apr 2023)

Cathal Berry: I very much welcome the opportunity to make some comments on this very important debate on whether this House should authorise the dispatch of a naval vessel, LÉ William Butler Yeats, to the Mediterranean for approximately five weeks this summer. I am supportive of the motion for a number of reasons. It is very important the arms embargo on Libya is maintained to maintain regional...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (18 Apr 2023)

Cathal Berry: I welcome the opportunity to make some comments on the most recent EU Council meeting in Brussels on 23 March. I welcome the fact that the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, was present physically and that President Zelenskyy dialled in remotely. That is good practice. The EU should be reaching out to third countries, particularly EU accession countries. We should also engage...

Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality Issues in the Defence Forces: Statements (30 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate on the independent review group report regarding misconduct in our armed forces. I welcome the Women of Honour group to the Public Gallery. I also welcome veterans of the Defence Forces from Kildare. I welcome the publication of the report and its recommendations. Two commitments in the Tánaiste's opening statement...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: It is an unlikely scenario but it is a low probability and high impact issue if it does actually occur. I thank the Taoiseach for confirming that there is a plan. My concern is that everybody who needs to know the plan is aware of it. Would the Taoiseach agree that we have the necessary resources in terms of equipment and people to ensure that we have a resourced implementation of this?...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (28 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: I wish to raise the matter of Ukraine. I concur with the Taoiseach's comments of last Friday that Putin will stop where we choose to stop him. That is entirely true. I wish that, in 2014, when he invaded Crimea and half of Donbas, the international community, including Ireland, had been more robust and assertive in stopping him. The appeasement he got eight years ago has brought us to the...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Civil Defence Bill 2023: Committee Stage (28 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: I fully understand the decision and thank the Chair for the update last night, which I appreciated.

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (22 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: I am grateful for the opportunity to comment in advance of the EU summit meeting tomorrow and Friday in Brussels. The meeting will be chaired by the Swedish Presidency. I very much approve of the agenda. It is only right and proper that Ukraine dominates the agenda, for obvious reasons. It is the burning issue in Europe at the moment, both literally and metaphorically, unfortunately. I...

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (22 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: I wish to raise the 58 school building projects throughout the country that are currently on hold due to a lack of funding in the Department of Education. I accept the reason for this is inflation in the cost of construction. A public meeting will be held tonight in Portlaoise regarding Kolbe Special School, which is in particular need and completely worthy of a new premises. When will...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Work and Priorities of the Defence Forces: Engagement with Chief of Staff (21 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: We are saving the best for last.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Work and Priorities of the Defence Forces: Engagement with Chief of Staff (21 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chathaoirleach. I will ask six brief questions. I am conscious of my colleagues trying to get in. If there is a second round, I would be happy to speak. I welcome Lieutenant General Clancy and his team. To double on what Deputy Clarke was saying, I thank him for the hospitality that was extended to the committee on our visits to the naval base at...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Work and Priorities of the Defence Forces: Engagement with Chief of Staff (21 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: I take the Chief of Staff's point that the Permanent Defence Force, comprising the regular troops, is competing with the private sector when it come to recruitment and retention and that is the same across the world, but our Reserve Defence Force is not and it is still perhaps 60% below strength. You can have a job in the private sector and be a member of the Reserve Defence Force. We had...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on Civil Defence: Discussion (7 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: There is no medical and no fitness test.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on Civil Defence: Discussion (7 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on Civil Defence: Discussion (7 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: It is a $64,000 question but if, God forbid, there was a leak from a reactor in Ukraine, are the witnesses confident that we, as a nation, have the equipment, people and wherewithal to deal with that rather than scrambling looking for answers a few hours after the incident? Are we as prepared as we ought to be? Is there anything the committee can do to assist in that regard?

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (7 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: 319. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has conducted a review of the activities of the embassy of the Russian Federation in Ireland; if he is satisfied that the current level of diplomatic presence therein is justifiable in light of the prosecution by that nation of a war on the sovereign state, Ukraine, which has been condemned by the United Nations; and if he will make...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (7 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: 320. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, in light of the war in Ukraine being perpetrated by the Russian Federation, he will take steps to expel the Ambassador of the Russian Federation, or at least reduce the number of Russian embassy staff in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10896/23]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (7 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: 321. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, in light of their active support for the war in Ukraine, he will summon the Ambassadors of China, India and South Africa to express the State's displeasure at their stance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10897/23]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on Civil Defence: Discussion (7 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: Cuirim fáilte roimh gach duine. I want to start by conveying my complete appreciation and that of the committee for all the staff and volunteers at departmental level and in the uniformed services. It is an outstanding effort. We say of the Civil Defence that they always turn up and they do, particularly with Covid-19 and the Ukrainian crisis. It is hugely appreciated. I have a few...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Naval Service (2 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: That is great. I thank the Minister for the reply. I accept there have been some minor improvements as part of the general public sector package, but also some specifically for the Defence Forces. I was focusing on the patrol duty allowance because it is such an important allowance given the Naval Service is in crisis from both a crewing and ships perspective. I thank the Minister for...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Naval Service (2 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: I entirely agree with the Minister that we must be prudent and responsible across the entire public sector. An aspect of this worth highlighting is this would be an earned allowance rather than just a basic pay improvement. It would be like overtime, so the member would have to work longer and harder to get it. I hope the Minister can take that into consideration. I accept the...