Results 3,461-3,480 of 7,401 for speaker:John Brady

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

John Brady: According to a previous figure we were given, €14.7 million worth of military equipment was imported from Israel and Israeli arms companies. That included equipment for the Army such as spy equipment, artillery control systems, sophisticated weaponry such as that used by forces to fire around corners, Kevlar helmets and drone for spying. It would not be lost on the Minister that,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

John Brady: A good outcome would be the right decision being taken, not just clarity being provided on whether there is a future in the Defence Forces for these members. The Minister said he is meeting PDFORRA next week and I welcome that continued engagement. Hopefully, he will take this opportunity to update Members on his views on PDFORRA and other representative bodies being given the right to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

John Brady: 77. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress that has been made towards the resolution of the situation in respect of post-1994 contracts, particularly given the impact on members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56758/21]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

John Brady: The 700 members of the Defence Forces on post-1994 contracts and their families need clarity in terms of the report that has been carried out but they also need the right decision to be made. The Minister has previously stated and given a commitment that he would make a decision before the year end. I note the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is also part of those discussions....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Defence Forces (18 Nov 2021)

John Brady: I thank the Minister. Again, the language there is not reassuring. The Minister would like to bring clarity. It is essential that clarity is brought to this issue before the year end for the 700 members of the Defence Forces but, more broadly than that, there is a crisis within our Defence Forces which we have mentioned many times and the Minister is acutely aware of it. We are 1,000...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Naval Service (18 Nov 2021)

John Brady: 73. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent of the subsurface surveillance capabilities of the Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56757/21]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Naval Service (18 Nov 2021)

John Brady: Recently, the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence paid a visit to the Naval Service base in Haulbowline. There are many issues of concern with regard to our Naval Service, primarily around personnel, the patrol duty allowance and difficulties in retaining naval personnel. Other issues have also been identified, one being the lack of ability for subsurface surveillance and how...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Naval Service (18 Nov 2021)

John Brady: I agree with the Minister about needing to prioritise. The number one priority must be the retention of members of the Defence Forces, which is a major issue. We have 1,000 fewer members than where we need to be and the inability to put ships at sea must be tackled first and foremost. Members of the Naval Service are highly committed and passionate about the work they do but they are also...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Naval Service (18 Nov 2021)

John Brady: I too eagerly await the publication of the commission's report but the critical thing is the actions that will stem from it. Unfortunately, the Minister has previously failed to deliver on the White Paper, which has ultimately landed us in a situation where we are unable to put ships at sea, and unable to ensure that not just our national security but that of Europe is protected. Stephen...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2021)

John Brady: 5. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts that are being made at EU level and the United Nations Security Council to bring an end to the conflict in Tigray, Ethiopia particularly given the risk of famine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56752/21]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2021)

John Brady: What efforts are being taken at EU and Security Council levels to bring an end to the conflict in Ethiopia, especially in the Tigray region? What measures are being taken to ensure that humanitarian access is being delivered, unimpeded, to the estimated 400,000 people in the region who are facing crisis and famine conditions?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2021)

John Brady: I share the serious concerns about what is facing people in Ethiopia, especially Tigray. A litany of abuse is being inflicted on the people there, not just by Ethiopian forces but foreign forces, namely, Eritrean. It has resulted in the displacement of millions of Ethiopians and famine conditions directly impacting more than 400,000 people. We have seen the mass arrests of Tigrayan people,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (18 Nov 2021)

John Brady: Given our strong involvement in the Tigray region and Ethiopia over many decades, we have a key role in trying to bring about a lasting and peaceful solution in the region. What relationship does Ireland currently have with the Ethiopian authorities? In March, there was an issue regarding the Ethiopian ambassador to Ireland being recalled. It was reported in September that Ethiopia was...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Birth Registration (18 Nov 2021)

John Brady: I thank the Minister for that. I too acknowledge the work of the Passport Office and thank the staff who process the foreign birth registrations but there is significant frustration. Over the past number of months I have repeatedly asked him when the process was going to recommence.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Birth Registration (18 Nov 2021)

John Brady: Yes, but he has not given the rationale for why it has taken that long to reopen when the rest of society has reopened over the past number of months. Why has it taken it that long to reopen that essential service? It was reported on Monday from the Minister's office that it was going to take two years to process these applications. I welcome the commitment to increase staffing in the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Birth Registration (18 Nov 2021)

John Brady: 3. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the foreign birth registration system will be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56751/21]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Birth Registration (18 Nov 2021)

John Brady: What is the position on foreign birth registrations? Thankfully, the process reopened on Monday last. There are more than 31,000 applications in the system. How does the Minister plan to deal with the massive backlog that has built up over the past two years?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Birth Registration (18 Nov 2021)

John Brady: I welcome again that FBR has reopened. Along with others, I have repeatedly asked for the process to reopen given the frustration experienced by many people who want to become Irish citizens. It is their right to do that given they meet the correct criteria. There is massive frustration. Prior to the lockdown the waiting time was approximately 18 months. The Minister has not outlined how...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Funding (18 Nov 2021)

John Brady: 1. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the decision by the European Union to grant €100 million in funding to Cyprus for the construction of the Euro-Asia interconnector given that this project will make Europe complicit in the Israeli annexation of occupied Palestinian territories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56492/21]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Funding (18 Nov 2021)

John Brady: What is the Minister's view on the decision by the EU to grant €100 million in funding for a project, the Euro-Asia interconnector project, which will essentially make Europe complicit in the Israeli annexation of occupied Palestinian territories? What is the rationale for it and why we are being complicit in the annexation of Palestinian territories?