Results 3,521-3,540 of 18,449 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations (15 Oct 2019)

Brendan Smith: 61. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the plans he intends to propose at the EU Agriculture Council meeting regarding the need to protect the CAP budget post 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41952/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations (15 Oct 2019)

Brendan Smith: As we all know, payments under CAP are the backbone of Irish farming. They are important for the farming community, the rural economy and the overall national economy. Farm families are very concerned about the present proposal to reduce the post-2020 CAP budget by 5%. When a low level of inflation is factored in, this reduction will equate to a 15% reduction over a seven-year period,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations (15 Oct 2019)

Brendan Smith: I am glad the Minister has reiterated that the current proposals are unacceptable. I understand that there are 15 or 16 like-minded member states. I hope the Heads of Government or Heads of State of those member states are of the same opinion as their Agriculture Ministers. Perhaps the Minister will let us know the Taoiseach's opinion on adequate funding for CAP. As the Minister quite...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations (15 Oct 2019)

Brendan Smith: I accept the final remarks made by the Minister. CAP, which was established in 1962, is important not only as a means of supporting the farming community, but also as a means of ensuring the citizens of Europe can access a secure supply of safe food. It supports 22 million farmers across the EU, as well as 44 million people in the overall food industry. It is important to keep emphasising...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Common Agricultural Policy Negotiations (15 Oct 2019)

Brendan Smith: 90. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of discussions at recent EU Agriculture Council meetings regarding CAP funding post 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41953/19]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes Supervisors (15 Oct 2019)

Brendan Smith: 608. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if further consideration will be given to the request by community employment scheme supervisors for proper pension entitlements (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42033/19]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Primary Care Centres (10 Oct 2019)

Brendan Smith: Yes.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (10 Oct 2019)

Brendan Smith: 8. To ask the Minister for Health when additional capacity will be provided in orthopaedics to reduce delays in assessments and procedures for patients in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41188/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (10 Oct 2019)

Brendan Smith: As I have previously outlined to the Minister through representations, debates and parliamentary questions, patients in Cavan and Monaghan experience considerable delays in accessing orthopaedic assessments and follow-up procedures. I am anxious that additional capacity be provided for those two counties and for the north east in particular. The figures I received at the end of August,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (10 Oct 2019)

Brendan Smith: I would be glad to see an improvement in the delivery of both assessments and follow-up procedures where they are necessary. People come to all of us on a weekly basis who are obviously in pain and suffering but who are still waiting on an assessment and follow-up procedure. They are often told that the procedure could be carried out without delay if they were private patients. I welcome...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (10 Oct 2019)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the additional funding for the NTPF, for which our party spokesperson advocated strongly. I also welcome the progress that has been made with the cross-Border scheme. Many patients go to Northern Ireland to access services, as I mentioned during a previous debate. Those who read Belfast newspapers, particularly the nationalist ones, as I do on a daily basis, will see...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (10 Oct 2019)

Brendan Smith: 172. To ask the Minister for Health the measures he plans to implement to address the issues affecting the retention and recruitment of general practitioners particularly in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41399/19]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (10 Oct 2019)

Brendan Smith: 191. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to the request by a local authority for the provision of health services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41496/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Supports (9 Oct 2019)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the Minister's commitment to ensure smaller enterprises will receive support. It is very important that these enterprises have the capacity and capability to draw down whatever support is necessary. When programmes of assistance are available, often it is the most needy who are not in a position to draw down that support. It is extremely important that we address that issue. ...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Supports (9 Oct 2019)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister. The absence of the Assembly and the Executive in Northern Ireland is deplorable at this time when the North-South Ministerial Council should be meeting and preparing an all-Ireland approach to Brexit. Unfortunately, that is the position. Can the Minister give the House an assurance that there is good and active co-operation between the authorities here and Northern...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Supports (9 Oct 2019)

Brendan Smith: 9. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to introduce additional measures to assist small and medium-sized enterprises, SMEs, in the Border region to deal with the adverse impacts of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41084/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Supports (9 Oct 2019)

Brendan Smith: 10. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to introduce specific programmes to assist small and medium-sized enterprises in the Border region, which are heavily dependent on Britain as an export market, to deal with the adverse impacts of Brexit and help protect employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41085/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Brexit Supports (9 Oct 2019)

Brendan Smith: We have discussed previously the adverse impacts Brexit, be it no-deal or otherwise, will have on our particular economy in the Border region. As the Minister knows, our economy is interdependent with our neighbours in Northern Ireland. The sectors critically important to our local economy in Cavan and Monaghan are equally important in Fermanagh, Tyrone and Armagh. I welcome the funding...

Financial Resolution No. 3: Stamp Duties - Section 126AA Bank Levy (8 Oct 2019)

Brendan Smith: I have a similar concern regarding the transfer or sale of land by, in particular, small farmers who might have the opportunity to purchase small holdings adjacent to their existing holdings. The rise from 6% to 7.5% will adversely impact on possible sales and what may be necessary increases in farm sizes. Similarly, an increase from 6% to 7.5% when purchasing or acquiring a site for a...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Vehicle Registration Data (8 Oct 2019)

Brendan Smith: 52. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated loss of revenue since 2016 due to the reduction in new car sales; the corresponding increase in imported second-hand vehicles; the measures he plans to take to protect the motor trade and its substantial employment level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41100/19]