Results 2,541-2,560 of 9,147 for speaker:Pat Breen

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (9 Dec 2014)

Pat Breen: 364. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on when the EU Georgia association agreement will be ratified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47149/14]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights and Access to Justice in Guatemala: Former Attorney General of Guatemala (3 Dec 2014)

Pat Breen: They have been fair.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights and Access to Justice in Guatemala: Former Attorney General of Guatemala (3 Dec 2014)

Pat Breen: Is there corruption in the police and army?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights and Access to Justice in Guatemala: Former Attorney General of Guatemala (3 Dec 2014)

Pat Breen: What is the process in regard to the meeting?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights and Access to Justice in Guatemala: Former Attorney General of Guatemala (3 Dec 2014)

Pat Breen: We will certainly keep a close eye on the meeting scheduled for early 2015. We will take note of the delegates' comments today and contact the Minister and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to highlight the very serious issues facing Guatemala. It is important that the EU takes an interest. The ambassador in Guatemala is well aware of these issues. We will ask our Minister for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights and Access to Justice in Guatemala: Former Attorney General of Guatemala (3 Dec 2014)

Pat Breen: During her time as attorney general in Guatemala, Ms Paz y Paz Bailey's work resulted in a drop of 9% in the crime rate and a 23% drop in impunity. Were serious threats made to her life, particularly from drug barons and other groups in Guatemala?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights and Access to Justice in Guatemala: Former Attorney General of Guatemala (3 Dec 2014)

Pat Breen: To return to the forthcoming elections in Guatemala, which will take place next year, I want to focus on the opposition parties. Deputy Byrne referred to Colombia, where recently matters have improved very much as a result of the commitment by the president to give rights to the people. Is there any opposition leader who stands out in Guatemala who can give leadership and persuade the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights and Access to Justice in Guatemala: Former Attorney General of Guatemala (3 Dec 2014)

Pat Breen: Before I hand over to Deputy Mitchell, I will ask Mr. Niall O'Keeffe from Trócaire to say a few words about Trócaire's involvement in Guatemala. It would be important to hear that. I know that Trócaire's regional director for Latin America, Sally O'Neill, who is based in Honduras, is a trojan worker for Trócaire and has done great work. She rang me to tell me Mr....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights and Access to Justice in Guatemala: Former Attorney General of Guatemala (3 Dec 2014)

Pat Breen: We will follow up on that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights and Access to Justice in Guatemala: Former Attorney General of Guatemala (3 Dec 2014)

Pat Breen: Are they human rights defenders who are killed every day?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights and Access to Justice in Guatemala: Former Attorney General of Guatemala (3 Dec 2014)

Pat Breen: Are they the result of robberies, murders or domestic issues?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights and Access to Justice in Guatemala: Former Attorney General of Guatemala (3 Dec 2014)

Pat Breen: Deputy Eric Byrne has a question but perhaps Dr. Claudia Paz y Paz Bailey might talk about the political situation. Is there an Opposition party and, if so, how strong and effective is it in the event of elections next year?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights and Access to Justice in Guatemala: Former Attorney General of Guatemala (3 Dec 2014)

Pat Breen: I call Deputy Eric Byrne. I ask members to ask questions rather than make statements.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights and Access to Justice in Guatemala: Former Attorney General of Guatemala (3 Dec 2014)

Pat Breen: The Deputy may ask a couple of questions. I will come back to him.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights and Access to Justice in Guatemala: Former Attorney General of Guatemala (3 Dec 2014)

Pat Breen: I ask the Deputy to hold for a moment while I ask one of the witnesses to answer that question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights and Access to Justice in Guatemala: Former Attorney General of Guatemala (3 Dec 2014)

Pat Breen: I will invite her to answer that question. I will come back to the Deputy for the other question. It is difficult for her to answer two or three questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (3 Dec 2014)

Pat Breen: Apologies have been received by Senators Norris and Walsh who are away on official business. The draft minutes of the meeting of 17 November have been circulated to members. Are the minutes of the meeting agreed?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (3 Dec 2014)

Pat Breen: Senator Daly must raise that on any other business at the end. That is not on the minutes. I will take it off him at the end of the meeting. Are the minutes agreed? Agreed. Unless there are matters arising from these minutes, we will proceed with the main business of the meeting.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (3 Dec 2014)

Pat Breen: We will deal with that under correspondence, if the Senator does not mind. It is in correspondence. Is that all right?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (3 Dec 2014)

Pat Breen: I do not want to deal with it now because I want to bring in our guest. I promise the Senator I will deal with it under correspondence.