Results 4,341-4,360 of 9,147 for speaker:Pat Breen

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with IBEC and IEA (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: Will the delegates from either IBEC or the Irish Exporters Association answer that question?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with IBEC and IEA (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: I will come back to Senator Walsh but some of the other members may wish to comment. Deputy Durkan, do you wish to comment?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with IBEC and IEA (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: I will allow the delegations to answer these two questions from Deputy Durkan and then we can come back to him again. Both organisations can address the questions on Africa and the Irish strategy for the Presidency of the European Council.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with IBEC and IEA (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: Of all the BRIC countries, has Russia the fastest growing trade with Ireland?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with IBEC and IEA (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: I am delighted IBEC is supporting the Africa strategy because in the coming months many African politicians will come to Ireland. Yesterday we met the Congolese Minister for the Environment, while this morning I met a senior trade official at the Ethiopian embassy. There is huge growth in Africa. I am delighted to welcome Mr. John Whelan from the Irish Exporters Association which has, for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: We have a quorum. Apologies have been received from Deputy Olivia Mitchell and Senator Deirdre Clune. I remind members and those in the visitors' gallery to ensure their mobile telephones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting, as they cause interference with the recording equipment even when on silent mode. I am anxious to get the meeting started because Priority...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with IBEC and IEA (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: I welcome from the Irish Business and Employers Confederation, IBEC, Dr. Pat Ivory, head of international relations, Ms Paula O'Dwyer, senior executive in trade and regional policy, and, Mr. Brendan Butler, director of policy and international affairs. I also welcome from the Irish Exporters Association, Mr. John Whelan, chief executive officer, and Mr. Michael Slein, vice president. This...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Carer's Allowance Applications (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50343/12]

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: UNESCO World Heritage Sites (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to include a site (details supplied) as a tentative UNESCO site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50221/12]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Single Payment Scheme Payments (14 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason payment has not issued to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50329/12]

Credit Union Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. I wish to acknowledge the work of the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan. I compliment him on the priority he has given to securing the future of the credit union sector. I note that John Hume served as Ireland's youngest ever president of the Irish League of Credit Unions, from 1964 to 1968. He stated that "[of] all the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Misappropriation of Irish Aid Funds in Uganda: Discussion with Irish Aid (13 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: Would you see merit in that, Mr. Rogers?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Misappropriation of Irish Aid Funds in Uganda: Discussion with Irish Aid (13 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: Have you a final response, Mr. Rogers?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Misappropriation of Irish Aid Funds in Uganda: Discussion with Irish Aid (13 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: Thank you, Mr. Rodgers, for being open, frank and honest with the committee and I commend you for coming here as quickly as possible. I also commend you on your quick response on this serious incident. All politicians have heard concerns from our constituents about how Irish Aid money is being spent. Whether we like it or not, some damage has been done to our aid programme, but I believe...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Misappropriation of Irish Aid Funds in Uganda: Discussion with Irish Aid (13 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: I wish to add to Deputy Nash's question. How long will the investigation go on? Are there any plans on the part of the Ugandan Government? You remarked on the high profile nature of this case in Uganda on television, radio and in the media. Are there any plans by any senior Government official there, whether the Prime Minister or the Ministers with responsibility for finance or foreign...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Misappropriation of Irish Aid Funds in Uganda: Discussion with Irish Aid (13 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: Is it true that several donor countries have stated that they will withdraw aid if this Bill passes through the Parliament?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Misappropriation of Irish Aid Funds in Uganda: Discussion with Irish Aid (13 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: Is there a timeframe for that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Misappropriation of Irish Aid Funds in Uganda: Discussion with Irish Aid (13 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: I ask members to co-operate in order that everybody gets an opportunity to ask questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Misappropriation of Irish Aid Funds in Uganda: Discussion with Irish Aid (13 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: I thank Mr. Rogers for his contribution. I am sure members will not mind if I ask a question before handing over to Deputy Smith. Mr. Rogers referred to the fact that our aid programme in Uganda is regularly examined and evaluated to ensure we have achieved effectiveness and value for money. It is done in a number of ways: through auditors based in our embassy in Kampala, by the evaluation...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Misappropriation of Irish Aid Funds in Uganda: Discussion with Irish Aid (13 Nov 2012)

Pat Breen: Had all of the consultants and audit teams been in northern Uganda? Had they visited the area?