Results 3,921-3,940 of 18,449 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Northern Ireland (5 Mar 2019)

Brendan Smith: 239. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the implementation of legislation arising from commitments in the Stormont House Agreement and the Fresh Start Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10808/19]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadcasting Sector (5 Mar 2019)

Brendan Smith: 435. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to implement the recommendations of the report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment on the future funding of public service broadcasting; if a public service broadcast fund for the independent radio sector will be established; the timeline for the introduction...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Brexit Negotiations (5 Mar 2019)

Brendan Smith: 456. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has made representations in order to ensure that Irish licence holders will continue to be able to drive legally in Northern Ireland. [10400/19]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Refugee Situation in Syria: Discussion (5 Mar 2019)

Brendan Smith: With us for session A are Mr. Niall O'Keefe of Trócaire, Ms Brid Kennedy of Concern and Ms Mary Van Lieshout and Mr. Mustafa Al Manla of GOAL. They are here discuss the refugee situation in Syria and related matters and they are all very welcome, as are our guests in the Gallery. Before we begin, I remind members, witnesses and persons in the Gallery to turn off their mobile phones....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Refugee Situation in Syria: Discussion (5 Mar 2019)

Brendan Smith: I thank all the contributors. They painted a very grim picture of what is a very difficult situation. Due to the time constraints, I will group the questions. I will take the Vice Chairman, Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan, first and she will be followed by Deputy Niall Collins.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Refugee Situation in Syria: Discussion (5 Mar 2019)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Deputy. I ask our guests to respond to the questions and comments from Deputies Maureen O'Sullivan and Deputy Niall Collins.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Refugee Situation in Syria: Discussion (5 Mar 2019)

Brendan Smith: I thank all of the representatives for what Deputy Niall Collins termed a very insightful overview of the very difficult situation in Syria and adjoining countries. It was very welcome to have Mr. Al Manla, as a programme director in that region, in attendance. The committee was anxious that Concern, GOAL and Trócaire have the opportunity to present to the committee and this meeting in...

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

Brendan Smith: In the second part of today's meeting we will meet the Minister of State, Deputy Paul Kehoe, to discuss the White Paper update on fixed-term reviews. The Minister of State is very welcome. I also welcome his officials and thank them for the briefing in advance of the meeting. Before we begin, members, witnesses and persons in the Public Gallery are requested to ensure that for the duration...

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

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State for his detailed presentation on the work that is ongoing and for the update on the White Paper.

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

Brendan Smith: I will take Senator O'Sullivan. We are running into time constraints again and have the select committee soon.

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

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State. There is a vote in the Dáil. I will make just one quick comment to the Minister of State. Departments and statutory agencies often have a habit of having the usual consultees on the development of Green Papers or White Papers. We do not respect corporate knowledge enough. I would love to see people who may have left the Department and the Defence...

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

Brendan Smith: Is it one quick comment?

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

Brendan Smith: I thank Deputy Ó Snodaigh. May I just-----

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

Brendan Smith: Very quickly.

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.