Results 4,041-4,060 of 18,315 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State and call Deputy Niall Collins.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: A few years ago, I recall there were quite a number of members of the PDF who had to cease membership after 20 years' service. They were still very young men and women. Is the 20-year fixed term gone now? Those people were disappointed to be leaving. They had a lot of knowledge, experience and skill and they were a loss to the Defence Forces. It is a fairly blunt instrument. If a person...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: I very strongly share Deputy Barrett’s view on experience. As a society, not just in Ireland but around the world, we do not value experience and corporate knowledge. Unless people are putting stuff up on Facebook and tweeting, and all this type of social media stuff that is governing too many people's lives today, there is not the respect or appreciation for experience, skills and...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State for his presentation today. We all agree with the need to ensure there is adequate funding put in place to meet the requirements of the people who have served our country well. This is our last engagement with the Minister of State in 2018. I thank him and the officials for their co-operation and engagement with us over the course of 2018. Could the...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Message to Dáil (29 Nov 2018)

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 Supplementary Estimate for public services for the year ending 31 December 2018: Vote 35 - Army pensions.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: In part B of today's meeting we will consider a Supplementary Estimate for Vote 27 - international co-operation. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, and his officials for their attendance and assistance in considering the Supplementary Estimate. I also thank the Department officials for providing the briefing material that has been received and circulated to all members.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: Sorry, but the response must come from the Minister of State.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: On Deputy Barrett's point, our review on Irish Aid has hopefully played its part in the Department's development of new policy.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: That is good because we had considerable engagement with Oireachtas colleagues, NGOs and other interested parties. I refer the Minister of State to Yemen. Deputy Barrett noted how dispiriting it is to turn on one's television and to see that there are so many crises throughout the world. I am sure there are crises of which we are not aware to the extent we should be which involve hunger...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: I thank Deputy Barrett and the Minister of State. Representatives from Crosscare, Safe Home Ireland and the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas appeared before our joint committee this morning to discuss issues affecting returning emigrants. We look forward to engaging with the Minister of State on the Indecon report early in the new year.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: We appreciate that.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Message to Dáil (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: In accordance with Standing Order 90, the following message will be sent to the Dáil:The Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence has completed its consideration of the following Supplementary Estimate for public services for the year ending 31 December 2018: Vote 27 - international co-operation.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drugs Crime (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. I have been contacted by people from previously quiet communities who have never had cause to approach me or any other public representative in their lives. They are now utterly frustrated with the prevalence of drugs and the horror being caused by the ready availability of certain drugs. We have discussed previously in this House the unique policing...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drugs Crime (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: 6. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he is satisfied with the level of sanctions and penalties for persons charged with drug offences; his plans to introduce additional measures to deal with the scourge of drugs which is blighting communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49659/18]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drugs Crime (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: I represent two rural counties, Cavan and Monaghan. Until recently, we thankfully did not have substantive problems with drug-related crime or drug-related issues. Unfortunately, that has changed in recent times. Communities throughout Cavan and Monaghan have serious concerns regarding the use, misuse, prevalence and availability of drugs in every parish. Unfortunately, it is my...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Drugs Crime (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. He referred to a person who is found in possession of drugs worth €13,000 or more and the mandatory minimum sentence of ten years. From reports I have heard and from what I have read, there always seems to be mitigating circumstances. How often are those sentences actually handed down? In many instances we hear that a given person in a community,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Returning Irish Emigrants: Discussion (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: I ask members, delegates and those in the Visitors Gallery to ensure their mobile phones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference, even when left in silent mode, with the broadcasting and recording equipment in the committee room. The meeting is being broadcast live on Oireachtas TV and across the various media platforms. I remind members of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Returning Irish Emigrants: Discussion (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: I thank Ms McLaughlin and Mr. King. I invite Ms Karen McHugh to make her opening statement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Returning Irish Emigrants: Discussion (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: I thank Ms McHugh. I call Ms Kirrane.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Returning Irish Emigrants: Discussion (29 Nov 2018)

Brendan Smith: I thank Ms Kirrane and her colleagues for their presentations on issues affecting people daily. In regard to Ms Kirrane's remarks, some members of this committee visited London during the summer. We met with different Irish groups and visited different Irish centres. Those were often centres where there have often not been high profile visits in the past. We were delighted to meet with so...