Results 3,941-3,960 of 18,315 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Ratification of EU and NATO Status of Forces Agreements: Discussion (24 Jan 2019)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State and the members for their discussion and views on this important issue.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Message to Dáil (24 Jan 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 motion: That Dáil Éireann approves the following order in draft: (i) the Agreement between the Member States of the European Union concerning the status of military and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: LEADER Programmes Funding (23 Jan 2019)

Brendan Smith: I welcome that the Minister has given some discretion to the local action groups, which is important. I know that the two groups with which I am particularly familiar, Cavan and Monaghan, will ensure that the taxpayers’ funding is put to good use. That discretion is welcome. I am sure many colleagues in the Oireachtas would have made representations to the Minister to have the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: LEADER Programmes Funding (23 Jan 2019)

Brendan Smith: 15. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocated for the 2014 to 2020 LEADER programme; the expenditure to date; if he is satisfied that the total funding will be drawn down by the end date for the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2977/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: LEADER Programmes Funding (23 Jan 2019)

Brendan Smith: As I mentioned, I represent two counties which have had the benefit of a LEADER programme since its inception in 1991 following the decision of the then European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Ray MacSharry, to initiate a programme across the European Economic Community. Community groups have bought into it. We have seen great benefits arising from LEADER programme...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: LEADER Programmes Funding (23 Jan 2019)

Brendan Smith: Like my colleague, Deputy Calleary, I share the concerns that in the overall scheme there has been a very slow and small drawdown to date. We sincerely hope that every cent of the allocated money will be spent by the end of the programme. I note from figures the Minister gave me recently that in my counties, Cavan and Monaghan, local action groups have a substantial programme and a good...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (23 Jan 2019)

Brendan Smith: 63. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to pursue with members of the administration, Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America the need to progress immigration reform with particular reference to the difficulties facing the undocumented Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3423/19]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (23 Jan 2019)

Brendan Smith: 64. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to progress further the proposal for Irish persons to access the United States of America E-3 Visa Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3424/19]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Summer Works Scheme Applications (23 Jan 2019)

Brendan Smith: 102. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when details of the summer works scheme will be announced; if all categories up to and including category ten will be eligible under the new scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3428/19]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Summer Works Scheme Applications (23 Jan 2019)

Brendan Smith: 103. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if applications deemed to be category ten under the most recent summer works scheme will be given further consideration with a view to approval of grant aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3429/19]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Summer Works Scheme Applications (23 Jan 2019)

Brendan Smith: 104. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if grant aid is available towards the provision of essential playground facilities at primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3430/19]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Brexit Issues (23 Jan 2019)

Brendan Smith: 212. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions he has had with his British counterpart and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland in relation to difficulties that may arise for motorists concerning insurance cover when crossing the Border; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3412/19]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Amalgamation (22 Jan 2019)

Brendan Smith: 53. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ensure that the views of local communities in the west County Cavan area will be taken into account in his consideration of a proposal by Cavan and Monaghan ETB to close schools (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to opposition of these communities to the ETB proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Amalgamation (22 Jan 2019)

Brendan Smith: 63. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ensure that second-level school provision in the west County Cavan area will remain as provided for at present through schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2760/19]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (22 Jan 2019)

Brendan Smith: 261. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the need to provide additional staffing resources to the Border region in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2835/19]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (22 Jan 2019)

Brendan Smith: 262. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the need to provide additional staffing and financial resources to the Border region in 2019, in view of the unique policing needs of a border area and the concerns regarding cross-Border criminal activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2836/19]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Industry (22 Jan 2019)

Brendan Smith: 498. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he plans to implement to support the suckler beef sector in view of growing concerns regarding its viability and the lack of an adequate return to the primary producer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2785/19]

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: LEADER Programmes Expenditure (22 Jan 2019)

Brendan Smith: 612. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of expenditure committed at the end of 2018 under the 2014 to 2020 LEADER programme for each programme; the drawdown of such grant aid to date by each programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3091/19]

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Brexit Issues (22 Jan 2019)

Brendan Smith: 613. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the discussions he has had to date with his counterparts in Northern Ireland in relation to the continuation of cross-Border programmes post-Brexit, if such programmes that have been organised on a cross-Border basis and that have made a major contribution to development in the Border region will continue; and if he will make a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces Recruitment (17 Jan 2019)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. It is disappointing to note that even in the month of December the numbers declined in our Permanent Defence Force. The Minister of State will recall that at the PDFORRA conference last October, its members highlighted how large numbers of soldiers, sailors and Air Corps staff were buying themselves out of the Defence Forces because they were...