Results 241-260 of 732 for speaker:Cathal Berry

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

Cathal Berry: 91. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when an improvement in the Naval Service patrol duty allowance will be implemented in accordance with the recommendations in the high-level action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10763/23]

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

Cathal Berry: As part of the Government's high-level action plan to transform our armed forces over the coming years, there was a commitment to increase the size of the patrol duty allowance for the Naval Service. I would be grateful if the Minister could update the House on where the proposal is at the moment.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (2 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: 190. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when additional long-service increments for Defence Forces personnel will be implemented in accordance with the recommendations in the high-level action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10764/23]

Future of Regional Pre-Hospital Emergency Care: Motion [Private Members] (1 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: Táim fíorbhuíóch a bheith anseo inniu chun caint faoin ábhar seo. Tuigim cinnte go bhfuil sé ar cheann de na hábhair is tabachtaí in Éirinn faoi láthair. Before I speak to the motion, I would like to convey my deepest sympathies to the people of Greece following the tragic train accident there. More than 32 people have been confirmed dead....

European Union Directive: Motion (28 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate on whether we should transpose an EU directive on the definition of criminal offences and penalties for the violation of restrictive measures into Irish law. I am happy to support the motion for a number of reasons. I am, in principle, in favour of sanctions as an alternative to violence, provided those sanctions are targeted...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council and Priorities for 2023: Minister for Foreign Affairs (28 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Minister and his team for appearing before the committee. I have three very brief points to make, the first of which is to welcome the proposal, at least, to send Irish troops as part of the European military assistance mission to Poland and Germany to train Ukrainians in medical training and demining. Not many people know, but University College Dublin, UCD, actually has people...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council and Priorities for 2023: Minister for Foreign Affairs (28 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: The last point is with regard to the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria. Of 27 EU countries, 21 of them deployed small rescue and medical teams in-theatre. Ireland was one of the six countries that did not. Many teams even came from beyond the European Union. A team even went from Ukraine. Should we consider having small search-and-rescue and medical stand-by teams of five, six or ten...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council and Priorities for 2023: Minister for Foreign Affairs (28 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: Yes, under Professor Gerard Bury. Remote training and in-person training has been taking place for the last number of months out there. The Irish military involvement will, therefore, be able to complement that well. The second point is to welcome the €77 million Ireland has pledged as part of the European Peace Facility. Obviously, a lot of it has not been drawn down yet because...

Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (23 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: I am glad the Minister is the present in the Chamber. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this important debate on policing, security and community safety for a number of reasons. The Bill replaces an important Act, namely the Garda Act 2005, and legislates for the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing from about four years ago. This Bill is not before...

Anniversary of Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Motion (22 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate on Putin’s unnecessary and highly illegal war in Ukraine. Again, on behalf of the Regional Group, we wish we were not marking this grisly anniversary but we are here nonetheless. Unfortunately, that is just the way things are. I have a few points to make. The first is that I welcome, in general, Ireland’s response to...

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

Cathal Berry: Of the 27 EU countries, only 21 deployed small medical teams and search and rescue teams to Türkiye in the aftermath of the recent earthquake. Ireland, unfortunately, sent nobody at all. I accept the fact we provided approximately €10 million, which was a good thing, but money is of little use to families who are caught beneath the rubble. It is a pity. We have the Civil...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: I want to raise the issue of the housing crisis in County Kildare. There are more than 6,500 people on the social housing waiting list. Many of them are military families and the Tánaiste is their Minister, as Minister for Defence. At the same time, the Department of Defence has stated that 62 houses in the Curragh Camp are vacant or in various states of dereliction, which is...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Tánaiste for that very reassuring answer, which is great. Something the Tánaiste may not be aware of is that you do not actually need planning permission to build military houses on military property for military families. It really streamlines the process. I am grateful for the answer and agree that in this country we have changed much more profound policies than...

Civil Defence Bill 2023: Second Stage (15 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Minister for his opening statement. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill, which aims to modernise legislation that dates to the Second World War. That is probably a good litmus test for the need to modernise legislation. From the outset, I compliment the Civil Defence, both the organisation and the 2,700 volunteers. They do fantastic work. As other colleagues...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: I wish the Tánaiste and his team a good afternoon. It is good to have them on board. I wish he was just the defence Minister rather than having other responsibilities as well, but that is, unfortunately, the way of things at present. This is our third set of Estimates. They are obviously not perfect in any shape or form but they are the best of the three we have seen so far. There...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: To buy them back, yes. I take the Tánaiste's point about increasing the basic wage for people with less than three years' service, but people with more than three years' service are my next focus. A recommendation in the high-level action plan indicated that the patrol duty allowance for the Naval Service should be reviewed. It is why the Naval Service is at a historic low as...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: It is ridiculous.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: Most countries deploy their nurses overseas and agency nurses cannot be deployed overseas.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: I would agree if the Bill were imminent but it could be months down the tracks. We could make full use of the Civil Defence Bill 2023.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (14 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: If it would be helpful, or if the Minister needs someone to do so, we will certainly table an amendment.