Results 21-40 of 6,255 for speaker:Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ukraine War (29 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 163. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on his Department's recent engagements with the Government of Ukraine in respect of the ongoing conflict and efforts made to reach a ceasefire. [27399/25]

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I do not agree with everything Senator Craughwell said, but the issues relating to the Air Corps are extremely urgent and need to be addressed. As a committee we should be looking at that. I hope the witnesses will return to discuss that with us. I echo the point made by Senator Clonan. It is clear that this is the end of the triple lock. I have not heard any rebuttal of that point....

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: That is clear with regard to an international force. The legislation and the triple lock govern how troops are deployed in the context of international forces and the initiative in respect of an Irish-only deployment is a different matter. Is that fair to say?

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: The example has been given frequently of humanitarian evacuation and that it is somehow is prevented. If that is not happening as part of an international force - in some instances perhaps it does - but is exclusively Irish-led, how is that prevented by the triple lock?

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Okay, very well. It is in the same legislation. Is Ms Maguire saying the triple lock does not prevent Irish Defence Forces personnel being deployed in a humanitarian evacuation?

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: That is the legal position. At present, there are no obstacles to that being done. That brings me back to the point that the argument frequently being made on the triple lock by the Government is that change is needed for the reason of humanitarian evacuation and drug interdiction missions. Why do the Department and the Minister not simply bring forward a Bill to dealt with that rather...

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: If we were debating legislation like that I am not sure it would be terribly controversial. There would be broad support for legislation that clarifies the entitlement of Ireland. I am not sure, in some instances, it is entirely necessarily. If it was believed to be necessary in the context of humanitarian rescue, drug interdiction and related matters, that would receive broad support....

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: The Government will be the arbiter.

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: That is the same Government that wants to deploy.

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I am not totally satisfied regarding the assessment of the risk that Ireland is being potentially exposed to in terms of international pressure. Has that been part of the conversation within the Department or with the Minister?

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I had intended to raise the issue of air traffic control and the Air Corps but it probably is outside the remit. Nevertheless, I would appreciate the witnesses coming back before us to address it in the short term. I have two quick questions. First, is this urgent legislation in the Department’s view?

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Important and urgent are maybe slightly different things. I also wanted to ask about the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre, Narcotics. I think we all support the reform of the Defence Forces and having adequate safeguards in terms of drug interdiction missions. In my view, it is primarily a justice and home affairs type of issue but military personnel may be needed from a security...

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: So that may be an area that requires legislative amendment. In this legislation, is that happening separate to the change to the triple lock or is it just assumed that the change to the triple lock will address it?

Committee on Defence and National Security: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025: Discussion (29 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: That is appropriate. It is what this Bill should have been about.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (29 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 183. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the Government's engagement at UN level to ensure peace endures in the conflict between India and Pakistan. [27398/25]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (29 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 188. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his current priorities in terms of Irish-US relations, with particular regard to Irish-US economic interests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27395/25]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Legislative Measures (29 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 206. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the progress of the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018. [27394/25]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (29 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 229. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on his engagements with his counterparts in the EU in relation to the bombing of a humanitarian aid ship off the coast of Malta, which was due to sail to Gaza [27397/25]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (29 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 252. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade regarding the conflict in Sudan and the consequent humanitarian situation, the position of the Irish government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27396/25]

Gaza: Motion (28 May 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I thank Labour Party and Deputy Duncan Smith for bringing this motion forward. I apologise to Deputy Smith that I cannot stay for the conclusion of the debate due to commitments at home. I listened intently to the Tánaiste's contribution and read it. One line reads, "If there is to be a two-state solution there must be two states". I believe in a two-state solution. Not everyone in...