Results 3,461-3,480 of 9,147 for speaker:Pat Breen

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (4 Dec 2013)

Pat Breen: That is fine. I will allow Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan, who is in a rush to get to the Dáil, to ask her questions after Deputy Crowe.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (4 Dec 2013)

Pat Breen: No, Seanad proceedings are not due not resume until 5 p.m. The Senator is fine. Everyone will have an opportunity to contribute.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (4 Dec 2013)

Pat Breen: I apologise for the interruption in proceedings, which was due to a division in the Dáil. We will now proceed to a discussion of the review of foreign affairs policy and external relations that will be undertaken by the Department in the coming months. I call on the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, to make an opening statement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Affairs Councils: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (4 Dec 2013)

Pat Breen: I thank the Tánaiste for dealing with these matters so comprehensively. I note the large attendance of members and of people in the Visitors Gallery. It shows that foreign affairs is top of the agenda in Ireland. The second matter to be considered by today's meeting is the departmental review of foreign policy and external relations. There is a vote in the Chamber. Does the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Affairs Councils: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (4 Dec 2013)

Pat Breen: We have four or five minutes if the Tánaiste's wishes to commence his presentation.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Affairs Councils: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (4 Dec 2013)

Pat Breen: We will finish as quickly as possible.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Affairs Councils: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (4 Dec 2013)

Pat Breen: I do not expect the Minister to answer a question about the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Deputy Shatter, because I believe that the Cabinet has collective responsibility for Government on that issue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Affairs Councils: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (4 Dec 2013)

Pat Breen: That is for the next session. I am not going to take any questions on that. The Tánaiste will address that in the next session. We are dealing with the European Council meeting.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Affairs Councils: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (4 Dec 2013)

Pat Breen: It will be straight afterwards. If you let the Tánaiste answer questions now, we will go straight on into that area. We are staying with in the European Council.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Affairs Councils: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (4 Dec 2013)

Pat Breen: We are staying with the European Council meeting for now.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Affairs Councils: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (4 Dec 2013)

Pat Breen: I ask Deputy Byrne to stick to the point.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Affairs Councils: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (4 Dec 2013)

Pat Breen: If there is anything left out we can return to them. Deputies Bernard Durkan, Eric Byrne and Olivia Mitchell are offering.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Affairs Councils: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (4 Dec 2013)

Pat Breen: Syria's information Minister stated today that the Geneva II talks will not lead anywhere unless President Assad leads an interim government. Against that background, are the talks doomed before they start?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Affairs Councils: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (4 Dec 2013)

Pat Breen: I thank the Tánaiste for his comprehensive report on various meetings that have taken place recently and the meeting that will take place next week. As we have another session with the Tánaiste later today, I ask members to keep their questions and comments brief. Many people want to contribute to this meeting. I would appreciate it if members would focus on asking questions...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (4 Dec 2013)

Pat Breen: The minutes of the meeting of 20 October 2013 have been circulated to members. Are they agreed? Agreed. 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 interfere with the recording equipment in the committee room even when in silent mode. If there is interference when people...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations Issues (3 Dec 2013)

Pat Breen: 101. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 103 of 26 September 2013, the position regarding an application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51396/13]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: State Examinations Issues (3 Dec 2013)

Pat Breen: 109. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare has been refused a spelling waiver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51536/13]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Appeals (3 Dec 2013)

Pat Breen: 158. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when an application for an invalidity pension appeal will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51395/13]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Appeals (3 Dec 2013)

Pat Breen: 180. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding jobseeker's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51685/13]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Appeals (3 Dec 2013)

Pat Breen: 181. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for invalidity pension in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51711/13]