Results 3,841-3,860 of 18,315 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Bilateral Relations between Ireland and Malta: Discussion (20 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his detailed engagement with the members of this committee and for answering very comprehensively the different issues raised. I was glad to hear the Minister reiterate his country's strong support for the Irish position on the backstop. He again emphasised the importance of the solidarity of the 27 EU member states and the support for Irish issues that have been...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Rural Social Scheme Eligibility (19 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 64. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the means test applicable to participation on the rural social scheme will be amended (details supplied); her views on whether a reduction in the level of payment for the participant can act as a disincentive in relation to increasing farming output; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8109/19]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Rural Social Scheme (19 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 74. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to amend the conditions applicable to the rural social scheme with particular reference to the need to remove the six year participation limit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8108/19]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (19 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 202. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a project (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage in view of the need to upgrade existing accommodation and provide additional permanent accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7728/19]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Reports (19 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 522. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if consideration will be given to the key findings and recommendations in a report (details supplied) concerning the urgent need to improve broadband telecommunications infrastructure and mobile telephony in the Border region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8011/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Insurance Costs (14 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. My understanding is that one of the key recommendations of the report was the establishment of a national claims database. Legislation to establish that database was to be enacted more than 12 months ago. What is the up-to-date position in respect of that recommendation? One other recommendation that has been brought to all of our attention,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Insurance Costs (14 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 12. To ask the Minister for Finance when he plans to implement additional recommendations of the insurance working group; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns in many sectors about increased insurance costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7243/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Insurance Costs (14 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: As the Minister is well aware, the cost of insurance is a huge burden on customers, be they businesses, charities or sports clubs. People continue to face insurance premiums far in excess of what is justified or fair. According to the most recent figures from the Central Statistics Office, CSO, that I have seen, while premiums decreased in 2017, they have increased considerably, by more...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Prevention (14 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 9. To ask the Minister for Finance the additional measures he plans to implement to counteract cross-Border smuggling and illicit trade in fuel, tobacco and drink products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7242/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Prevention (14 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: I have been constantly tabling parliamentary questions to the Minister and his colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, about the need to deal with the criminals involved in illicit cross-Border trade and smuggling. The issue goes back over many decades. In one reply, the Minister referred to the resourcefulness of those involved in those forms of criminal activity. It is an area...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Prevention (14 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: It is important that Revenue and the Minister's Department constantly evaluate the effectiveness of the different measures in place because those criminals, including paramilitary gangs in some instances, have significant resources and the State can never underestimate the resourcefulness of those people involved in criminal activity. I fully appreciate that the new marker system has had...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Crime Prevention (14 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his response and I do not doubt the good work of the Revenue Commissioners in any way. I take this opportunity to compliment many revenue officers who dealt with very hostile situations in the past. People stood up to those criminals and thugs. We also want to protect legitimate business. I compliment the Retailers Against Smuggling group, which continues to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Brexit Issues (14 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 53. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on recent comments by the Committee on the Administration of Justice regarding the rights of persons in Northern Ireland claiming Irish citizenship after Brexit following a reply by the British immigration Minister regarding the rights of persons to Irish or British citizenship under the Good Friday Agreement; if in all...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pigmeat Sector (14 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 199. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proposals he has put to the European Commission on the need to introduce measures to support the pig sector in view of continuing inadequate price returns to producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7595/19]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pigmeat Sector (14 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 200. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce measures to support primary producers in the pigmeat sector in view of the closure of some pig units; if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing pressures on individual farms to survive due to inadequate returns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7596/19]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: North-South Interconnector (14 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 216. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the detailed costs of the North-South interconnector approved overhead line; the reason the published costs in the recent EirGrid ten-year development plan report have increased from €286 million to €500 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7631/19]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: North-South Interconnector (14 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: 217. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the procurement process for the North-South interconnector will cease (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7632/19]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Miscellaneous Provisions (Withdrawal of the UK from the EU on 29 March 2019) Bill 2019: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (14 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: We will commence the meeting in public session. Apologies have been received from Senator Ned O'Sullivan. Given that the Tánaiste is here, we should proceed with public business first and dispose of private business when the engagement with the Tánaiste is concluded. Today, we are meeting An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Simon Coveney, to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Miscellaneous Provisions (Withdrawal of the UK from the EU on 29 March 2019) Bill 2019: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (14 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: In light of the number of members offering, I will group questioners. I call Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan, to be followed by Deputy Niall Collins.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Miscellaneous Provisions (Withdrawal of the UK from the EU on 29 March 2019) Bill 2019: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (14 Feb 2019)

Brendan Smith: Yes.