Results 4,221-4,240 of 9,147 for speaker:Pat Breen

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Family Income Supplement Appeals (18 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on a family income supplement appeal will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56455/12]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Stocking Densities (18 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment on stocking density appeal will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56368/12]

Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill 2012: Second Stage (14 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on this Bill. The introduction of any tax is never popular, but particularly so in the midst of the greatest recession since the foundation of the State. Property taxation is the norm throughout the world and the proposed rate of 0.18% compares favourably with the rate in other countries. I note that while Sinn Féin is opposed to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Democratic Republic of Congo: Motion (13 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: I want to add my voice of support for Senator Norris's motion. Senator Norris has a close affiliation with Congo. I assure Senator Norris that in the past 48 hours we raised the issue of the situation in Congo in Switzerland when we met with the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights and also with the International Red Cross. The foreign affairs and trade committee has been quite vocal...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Democratic Republic of Congo: Motion (13 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: Yes, to ensure it is raised in the foreign affairs committee as well.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Democratic Republic of Congo: Motion (13 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: Yes. It is an issue that we raised also with the Irish ambassador in Geneva who will be representing us on the Human Rights Council in terms of the Democratic Republic of Congo. We will keep in touch with him on that given that we are now a full member of the Human Rights Council.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Democratic Republic of Congo: Motion (13 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: I propose that the resolution of the committee is that the motion be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, communicated to the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, and communicated to the ambassadors of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. Is that agreed? Agreed. I thank Senator Norris for being very active in this area and showing a great interest...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Work in Syria: Discussion with Médicines sans Frontières (13 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: There are no further questions. Will the documentary be screened shortly?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Work in Syria: Discussion with Médicines sans Frontières (13 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: Seeing it would be worthwhile. I will take this opportunity to thank Professor McMaster and Ms McKenna for meeting us. We have had a frank, open and interesting discussion on the Syrian situation. The committee will continue to focus on Syria. In particular, we will continue to ensure that, in our discussions with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Work in Syria: Discussion with Médicines sans Frontières (13 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: Is it agreed to suspend the meeting for two minutes? Agreed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Democratic Republic of Congo: Motion (13 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: I do not want to delay members. No. 3 on our agenda is the motion regarding the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is signed by Senator Norris and has been circulated with the agenda. I call the Senator to move and to speak on the motion.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Work in Syria: Discussion with Médicines sans Frontières (13 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: I hope "Oireachtas Report" will transmit some of today's proceedings. That would be important for us.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Work in Syria: Discussion with Médicines sans Frontières (13 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: Those who have seen the documentary "Access to the Danger Zone" will have seen MSF volunteers and doctors from a number of countries. What are the dangers staff face when working? The documentary showed that a number of doctors were kidnapped. Their location was unknown at the time in question and there was no request for a ransom. Have there been casualties in Syria or other areas of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Work in Syria: Discussion with Médicines sans Frontières (13 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: Could the documentary be made available to members at some stage? It is a great account of the bravery of the personnel and shows how they work in very difficult and hostile circumstances.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Work in Syria: Discussion with Médicines sans Frontières (13 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: I thank Ms McKenna. I call Senator David Norris.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Work in Syria: Discussion with Médicines sans Frontières (13 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: I am obliged to allow all members to contribute. I will return to the Deputy.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Work in Syria: Discussion with Médicines sans Frontières (13 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: Some of those questions may be a little political for Professor McMaster to deal with, but he might do his best.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Work in Syria: Discussion with Médicines sans Frontières (13 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: I thank Dr. McMaster. What are the worst injuries he has seen and are the medics able to cope with the limited resources available?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (13 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: The first item on the agenda is the draft minutes of the meeting of 21 November. These have been circulated to members. Are they agreed? Agreed. Unless there are any matters arising, I propose to proceed with the main business of the meeting.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (13 Dec 2012)

Pat Breen: We will be dealing with two, namely, the Senator's motion and a presentation from Médecins Sans Frontières. We will be taking the Senator's motion second, if that is acceptable.