Results 21-40 of 918 for at speaker:Diarmuid Wilson

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on Civil Defence: Discussion (7 Mar 2023)

Diarmuid Wilson: Then we have to look seriously at that issue, a Chathaoirligh.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council and Priorities for 2023: Minister for Foreign Affairs (28 Feb 2023)

Diarmuid Wilson: Like other colleagues, I very much welcome the Windsor Framework and pay tribute to the Tánaiste and his officials and to his work as Taoiseach in that regard. I also pay tribute to the former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, for his efforts over recent years, and indeed those of the current Taoiseach's officials and all other parties concerned. I agree with the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council and Priorities for 2023: Minister for Foreign Affairs (28 Feb 2023)

Diarmuid Wilson: My point relates to the candidacy of Georgia for EU membership. To clarify, it is not a third of the country that is occupied, but 23%. However, even if it is only 1%, it is still being occupied by Russia and that should not be forgotten about. In 2008, when it was occupied, if the European Union and other countries had taken a different attitude, Ukraine might not be in the difficulty it...

Seanad: Election of Cathaoirleach (16 Dec 2022)

Diarmuid Wilson: I second the proposal. It is great to see Senator Norris back in the Chamber and sitting in the Chair, albeit for a few moments, although I understand he will give us an address so he could possess the Chair for rather a few moments. It is my honour to second the nomination of Senator Jerry Buttimer. I have known Senator Buttimer since September 1984, which was just a few years before...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (24 Nov 2022)

Diarmuid Wilson: I wish to second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by my colleague, Senator Craughwell on behalf of everyone who signed the motion that was circulated last week. It is to commemorate the Holodomor, which means in Ukrainian “inflicting death by starvation” on the Ukrainian people, which happened during 1932 and 1933.This was an horrific genocide cast upon the...

Seanad: Ireland's Military Neutrality: Motion [Private Members] (23 Nov 2022)

Diarmuid Wilson: I commend Senators Clonan and McDowell and my colleagues on putting forward this important motion. It is timely, given the war situation we are in. I would like to say a few words on behalf of Fianna Fáil and then to make a few comments on what Senators Clonan and McDowell have said in their contributions. Neutrality means different things to many people. As a result of Russia's...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Nov 2022)

Diarmuid Wilson: I would like to join the Leas-Chathaoirleach in passing my sympathies to Bridget on the death of her brother. May he rest in peace. On 26 November, which is just a little over a week away, the people of Ukraine and Ukrainians throughout the world commemorate 90 years since the beginning of the Holodomor of 1932 and 1933. This was a man-made famine which was enforced by the deliberate...

Seanad: Passport Office: Motion (5 Oct 2022)

Diarmuid Wilson: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, to the House. I apologise for the interruption earlier. I know it was out of his control as there was a vote in the Lower House. I welcome the Minister of State and his officials. As Senator Ó Donnghaile said in his opening remarks, since last June there has been an all-party motion on the Order Party on this important issue. The fact...

Seanad: Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Statements (4 Oct 2022)

Diarmuid Wilson: I welcome the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and his officials to the House. I thank him for his comprehensive comments. Like my colleagues, Senators Ó Donnghaile and Senator Joe O'Reilly, I was present at the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence when the Minister answered a lot of questions. I hope that in my contribution I do not repeat some of the questions to which the...

Seanad: Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Second Stage (15 Sep 2022)

Diarmuid Wilson: I welcome the Minister, and the observers in the Gallery, to the House. I am responding on behalf of my colleague, Senator McGreehan, who is unfortunately held up but hopes to be here before the end of the debate on the Bill. I will put on the record of the House that Fianna Fáil supports this Bill, which provides the necessary amendments allowing for the commencement of the remaining...

Seanad: Defence Forces (Evidence) Bill 2019: Second Stage (22 Jun 2022)

Diarmuid Wilson: I welcome the Minister back to this House. He is a very busy man. I just saw on the television this morning that he was in Brussels a few hours ago. I join with the Cathaoirleach and Senator Ahearn in welcoming Senator Maria Byrne and her guests. Senator Byrne is very well known for her hospitality. I know her guests will be very well looked after on their visit to Leinster House. I...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Legislative Measures (21 Jun 2022)

Diarmuid Wilson: At the outset, I should have welcomed the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, to the House earlier. I thank him for his comprehensive reply. I welcome that this Bill is progressing and I would like if it could be speeded up as soon as possible. This is very necessary legislation and it is important it is brought in as a matter of urgency. More importantly, when it is brought in, it is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on Current Situation in Ukraine: Discussion (31 May 2022)

Diarmuid Wilson: An important point has been made there by Senator Ó Donnghaile and I would be interested in hearing the ambassador's response. I know the ambassador and her colleague have been to County Cavan and have seen how close it is to the Border. We have quite a few Ukrainian people located or relocated to Cavan and they are very welcome. In the last week or so, there have been reports of...

Seanad: Life Saving Equipment Bill 2017: Committee Stage (17 Feb 2022)

Diarmuid Wilson: I welcome the Minister of State and, like my colleague Senator Gallagher, I welcome also the representatives of Community First Responders Ireland, who are attending the debate from the Gallery. I ask the Cathaoirleach to bear with me for a moment because we have not debated this important legislation for some time and this is the first time it has been discussed in this Seanad. As some...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Review of Workplace Arrangements: Department of Foreign Affairs (8 Feb 2022)

Diarmuid Wilson: I will be brief because almost all the questions have been asked and answered. I welcome the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and Mr. Hackett to the meeting. During a private meeting at which we discussed this matter, I expressed my belief that the investigation should have been carried out by an independent person. However, I accept Mr. Hackett's report and his findings. I have just one...

Seanad: Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (8 Dec 2021)

Diarmuid Wilson: I welcome the Minister, Deputy McGrath, to the House. I thank him for his comprehensive address to us on this legislation. I am speaking to this Bill on behalf of my colleague, Senator Davitt, who intends to be here before the end of the debate. Therefore, I will be brief in my contribution. I thank the Minister once again for outlining the details of the Bill. While at a first glance...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Appointment of Special Envoys and Update on Afghanistan: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence (31 Aug 2021)

Diarmuid Wilson: I welcome the Minister and his officials to this evening's meeting to discuss this very important issue. I agree with Senator Joe O'Reilly. I also hold Katherine Zappone in very high regard. This has nothing to do with her. It is to do with the process surrounding her appointment as a special envoy. I have quite a few points to raise but I will be very brief. In his answer to some of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Safety (12 Jul 2021)

Diarmuid Wilson: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, to the House and thank her for taking this Commencement matter.I also thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise the matter this morning. In an effort to enhance and strengthen road safety, I propose that it be a mandatory subject at second level. Some schools already do modules on road safety during transition year and this has proven...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Road Safety (12 Jul 2021)

Diarmuid Wilson: I thank the Minister of State for her comprehensive reply. While I appreciate that driver theory testing is the responsibility of the RSA, there is a role for the Department and for second level schools in preparing young people for the driver theory test. I would go further and say that secondary schools should be designated centres to undertake the theory test under the supervision of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Situation in Palestine: Discussion (Resumed) (13 May 2021)

Diarmuid Wilson: I thank the ambassador and the other speakers for their presentations. It is good to see Mr. Shatter back in the Oireachtas, albeit remotely, and at a committee he was so active in for so many years. I will be brief. As Ms Griffin and Ms Hausdorff have said, we are meeting in shocking circumstances at a very serious time for the Israeli and Palestinian people. I send my sympathies to the...