Results 2,781-2,800 of 3,523 for speaker:Lucinda Creighton

Territorial Waters. (23 Apr 2009)

Lucinda Creighton: I am aware of that.

Territorial Waters. (23 Apr 2009)

Lucinda Creighton: The Department got its submission in at the 11th hour.

Territorial Waters. (23 Apr 2009)

Lucinda Creighton: What is the timeframe for that? How long does the Minister anticipate it will take?

Territorial Waters. (23 Apr 2009)

Lucinda Creighton: This is the key issue of the three.

EU-US Relations. (23 Apr 2009)

Lucinda Creighton: Question 4: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the proposal of the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee for a transatlantic political council and joint parliamentary committee to put EU-US relations on an institutional basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16048/09]

EU-US Relations. (23 Apr 2009)

Lucinda Creighton: We cannot underestimate the significance of EU-US partnership, which was clearly damaged throughout the course of the most recent US Administration. That eight-year period saw significant difficulties in the traditionally co-operative EU-US approach to many aspects of foreign affairs. Given our opportunity with the new US Administration, it is essential we get that relationship back on...

EU-US Relations. (23 Apr 2009)

Lucinda Creighton: Leadership by the European Council is necessary. Will the Minister comment in this regard? A new institutional framework must be pioneered by the European Council and member states.

EU-US Relations. (23 Apr 2009)

Lucinda Creighton: I do not dispute that. Ireland, as one of only two English-speaking EU member states, has an opportunity to be the pioneer. I do not know whether the Minister has considered Fine Gael's 2004 proposal of a transatlantic foundation based in Shannon. There would be an added bonus for Ireland and new economic activity, but it would also strengthen Ireland's role as the United States of...

EU-US Relations. (23 Apr 2009)

Lucinda Creighton: We could be more proactive.

EU-US Relations. (23 Apr 2009)

Lucinda Creighton: Not enough.

Diplomatic Representation. (23 Apr 2009)

Lucinda Creighton: Question 5: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the EU's diplomatic relationship with Israel and Gaza; if plans for an EU-Israel summit will go ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14624/09]

Diplomatic Representation. (23 Apr 2009)

Lucinda Creighton: At a Council meeting in December, it was agreed that bilateral relations with Israel be upgraded. I assume the Government supported this position at the time. Claiming that the proposed EU-Israel summit should not proceed is flawed logic, as we need to engage. Since I do not understand, what is the Minister's logic for refusing to upgrade the bilateral relationship with Israel? There...

Diplomatic Representation. (23 Apr 2009)

Lucinda Creighton: There would be a better opportunity to get the region's peace process on track. What is the Minister's logic?

Diplomatic Representation. (23 Apr 2009)

Lucinda Creighton: Everyone in this House is committed to the two-state solution and that is Fine Gael's position. As for the appointment of Senator Mitchell, from the Minister's remarks it strikes me there has been no progress and the Minister is not optimistic, notwithstanding the renewed impetus from the United States. Is that the case?

Human Rights Issues. (23 Apr 2009)

Lucinda Creighton: Deputy Higgins has raised a general problem with the application of international law and adherence to it. The obligation on the African Union regarding Darfur is enormous but the political will or impetus is not there.

Human Rights Issues. (23 Apr 2009)

Lucinda Creighton: Nor is the capacity. The will is significantly lacking and there is a role for the EU. Perhaps the Council of Ministers with responsibility for foreign affairs could discuss this at the next GAERC meeting.

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Apr 2009)

Lucinda Creighton: Question 1: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the areas of the overseas aid budget that will be reduced as a result of the cuts of €255 million in funding announced over the past nine months; the amount of the reduction in each of the affected areas of the budget; when those in the affected areas will be informed of the nature of the reductions in their areas; and if he will make a...

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Apr 2009)

Lucinda Creighton: It is somewhat misleading to state that a cut of €255 million in the aid budget over a period of 12 months reflects the core values of this country. It does not in any way reflect our core values. We have a commitment under the millennium development goals, as the Minister is aware, of achieving a 0.7% of GDP target by 2012. Our GDP has fallen by 8% in the past year but our aid budget...

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Apr 2009)

Lucinda Creighton: A question is coming. This is a very easy target and one that does not have electoral implications for the Government because it does not directly hit voters. That is an obvious point.

Overseas Development Aid. (23 Apr 2009)

Lucinda Creighton: I want to ask the Minister a specific question. We still do not have clarity and all the aid agencies are completely confused as to how their budgets will be affected and what specific programmes will be affected. They need clarity because they cannot plan. We have a targeted and professional system in how our agencies give assistance through various programmes and they cannot plan or...