Results 3,801-3,820 of 18,315 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: White Paper on Defence Update: Discussion (5 Mar 2019)

Brendan Smith: I am not suggesting otherwise. However, the good knowledge that exists is often written out of the script in all respects and not just in the Department. I thank the Minister of State and the members for their engagement this afternoon. The joint committee stands adjourned until Thursday, 4 April 2019, when we will meet the former Tánaiste, Mr. Eamon Gilmore, to discuss conflict...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (5 Mar 2019)

Brendan Smith: I welcome members and viewers who may be watching the proceedings on Oireachtas TV. On 19 December the Dáil ordered that the Revised Estimates for public services for the following Votes be referred to the select committee for consideration: Vote 27 - International Co-operation; Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade; Vote 35 - Army Pensions; and Vote 36 - Defence. Today the committee...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (5 Mar 2019)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State for his detailed presentation. I ask members to pose questions in the format for each programme.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (5 Mar 2019)

Brendan Smith: I wish to take up Deputy Jack Chambers' point on subhead A18 and the provision of medical and healthcare support for members of the Defence Forces. There has been an increase of 133%. What is provided for under that subhead? Does that consist of buying in health services from outside the Defence Forces?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (5 Mar 2019)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State. Each of my colleagues mentioned the importance of the Reserve Defence Force and that we would like to see its numbers increase. On a number of occasions over the years I have taken the opportunity at this committee to outline the importance of the Reserve Defence Force. The Reserve Defence Forces Representative Association made a very good presentation to...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (5 Mar 2019)

Brendan Smith: The Reserve Defence Force as we would know it.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (5 Mar 2019)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State. To be fair, when he was before the committee, the Chief of Staff delivered a strong message to the effect that he wants to see the Reserve Defence Force's membership increased as much as possible.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (5 Mar 2019)

Brendan Smith: It is very important that we retain the local element relating to the Reserve Defence Force. A number of years ago, there were proposals from the Department and the Defence Forces to regionalise the local Reserve Defence Force in my area to Dundalk in order to cover the Cavan-Monaghan-Longford area. I raised the matter in representations to the Minister of State via parliamentary questions....

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (5 Mar 2019)

Brendan Smith: We sincerely hope there will not be a no-deal Brexit and that Britain will leave the European Union with an agreement. We hope that we will not need additional security measures in the Border region. I previously outlined the major mistake of closing Dún Uí Néill barracks in County Cavan. That barracks was in a central Border area and was the most modern barracks in Europe....

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Defence (Revised) (5 Mar 2019)

Brendan Smith: On behalf of the select committee, I thank the Minister of State and his officials for attending and for dealing with the issues raised by members.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Message to Dáil (5 Mar 2019)

Brendan Smith: In accordance with Standing Order 90, the following message will be sent to the Dáil: The Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence has completed its consideration of the following Revised Estimates for public services for the year ending 31 December 2019: Vote 35 - Army Pensions and Vote 36 - Defence. Under Standing Order 89(2), the message is deemed to be the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services Sector (28 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 19. To ask the Minister for Finance the measures he plans to implement to place a particular focus on attracting investment in the international financial services sector to the regions and build regional financial services clusters in view of the further potential growth in financial services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9962/19]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services Sector (28 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 38. To ask the Minister for Finance the measures he plans to implement to attract investment in international financial services to areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan in view of the challenges facing the Border region due to Brexit; if due consideration will be given to such regions in the development of the new five year strategy for the international financial services sector; and if...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Reimbursement (28 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 144. To ask the Minister for Health when it is expected that the assessment in respect of Nusinersen will be finalised by the HSE leadership team and decisions made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10065/19]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Live Exports (28 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 188. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has discussed with the French authorities the need to increase lairage facilities at Cherbourg; if he has had discussions with a company (details supplied) in regard to scheduling of sailings in view of delays in the export of calves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10169/19]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Supports (28 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 189. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has had discussions with the EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Phil Hogan and the EU Commissioner for Trade, Mrs. Cecilia Malmström in relation to the need to have an immediate EU wide response to support the beef sector and farm incomes following the comments of the British Secretary of State...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Brexit Supports (28 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 190. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has had discussions with the EU Commissioners for Agriculture and Rural Development and Trade to place supports for the agri-food sector in the event of a no-deal Brexit; if there are plans to put such supports in place without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10171/19]

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (Resumed) (27 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: I join with my colleagues on these benches in stating my broad support for this legislation, although, like other speakers, I hope it will never have to be used. We want to do all we can to facilitate its swift passage through the Oireachtas so the Bill can be enacted before 29 March. While no one likes the circumstances that require us to pass this Bill, the political brinksmanship and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (27 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: While I welcome the Tánaiste's reply, he has not given us any cause for optimism in regard to the resumption or restoration of the political institutions in Northern Ireland. The Tánaiste gave us a detailed briefing at last Thursday's meeting of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. As my colleague, Deputy Niall Collins, has said, it is most...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (27 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Tánaiste again for his reply. I would like to stress the need for the public to know that urgency is being attached to the talks and the restoration of the institutions. We talk at times about the restoration of the assembly and the Executive, but we also need to emphasise the importance of meetings taking place at North-South Ministerial Council level and at sectoral...