Results 3,101-3,120 of 9,147 for speaker:Pat Breen

Report on the Contribution of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to Economic Recovery: Statements (28 Mar 2014)

Pat Breen: I thank the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Gilmore, for being with us this afternoon to hear the report and to make his own remarks. I am delighted that he has taken time off his busy schedule to be here for this report. I am pleased to present to the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade on the contribution of the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Partial Capacity Benefit Scheme Appeals (27 Mar 2014)

Pat Breen: 98. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a partial capacity benefit appeal will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14499/14]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Appeals (27 Mar 2014)

Pat Breen: 176. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an application for a REP scheme 4 claw back appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14623/14]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Current Situation and Future of Cyprus: Ambassador of Republic of Cyprus (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Breen: I thank the ambassador for being so forthcoming and open with the committee this afternoon. I agree with Deputy Durkan that we have to be very positive on this. It is a window of opportunity that should not be missed. I congratulate the negotiators from Turkey and from Cyprus on this initiative. It is a step-by-step process. The negotiators need to take small steps at a time. The...

Topical Issue Debate: School Staffing (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Breen: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Looking around at the many Members in the Chamber, the people of Labasheeda would have never thought they would have such an interested audience in their school. I did not realise so many Ministers were interested in the school either.

Topical Issue Debate: School Staffing (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Breen: I am sure the Minister might now consider keeping the two teachers in the schools, given the number of Ministers, backbenchers and media here. I hope it will put pressure on the Minister to rethink the position on small schools. Small schools in the country are having problems.

Topical Issue Debate: School Staffing (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Breen: Deputy Finian McGrath would not understand the situation in rural communities and the effect the closure of a small school can have on its community. Not only have rural communities been devastated by recent storms, but they have been hit by unemployment and other problems. The value for money report into small schools needs to be published as soon as possible, as it will be critical for...

Topical Issue Debate: School Staffing (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Breen: The Minister is a good Corkman so he would know.

Topical Issue Debate: School Staffing (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Breen: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this matter this afternoon. The current criteria being applied for the allocation of teachers in rural schools is causing a lot uncertainty and concern in rural communities, and I believe a more flexible approach must be taken by the Department of Education and Skills. I have raised this issue on a number of occasions by way of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Current Situation and Future of Cyprus: Ambassador of Republic of Cyprus (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Breen: I thank the ambassador for outlining to us the current situation with regard to the negotiations and the future. He said there is limited space for optimism. Before I hand over to Deputy Smith, could the ambassador tell me whether he is optimistic on this occasion?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Breen: I have not received any apologies. I am sure our two MEP candidates, Senators Lorraine Higgins and Deirdre Clune, are on the road canvassing. Am I talking to myself?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Breen: I was complimenting the two members of our committee, Senators Lorraine Higgins and Deirdre Clune, who are seeking nomination to the European Parliament and I wish them well. They will not be with us this afternoon. Are the draft minutes of the meeting of 12 March, which have been circulated, agreed? Agreed. Unless there are matters arising from them, we will proceed to the main...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Breen: That should have been done last week in my absence.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Breen: I thank Mr. John Deady. He is staying on with the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement to finish off a few matters. He was helpful to us also over the 12 months and has considerable experience given his role as a former ambassador. We have a letter ready to be signed by myself to thank him for his services to the committee.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Current Situation and Future of Cyprus: Ambassador of Republic of Cyprus (26 Mar 2014)

Pat Breen: I remind Members, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery to ensure their mobile telephones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference even when on silent mode with the recording equipment in the committee rooms. We are here today to meet H.E. Dr. Michalis Stavrinos, ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Ireland. He is accompanied by Mr....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Breen: 282. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the pupil-teacher criteria for small schools to allow for population fluctuations year-on-year in the interests of restoring certainty for the schools and communities involved (details supplied). [12888/14]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Appeals (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Breen: 858. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 172 of 19 February 2014, when a decision will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13194/14]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Appeals (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Breen: 861. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 173 of 19 February 2014, when a decision will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13203/14]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Grants (25 Mar 2014)

Pat Breen: 891. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13700/14]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments (13 Mar 2014)

Pat Breen: 202. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a REP scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12620/14]