Results 421-440 of 18,438 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (17 Oct 2024)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. I must say I am disappointed that the performance review does not recommend some changes to the Dublin-Cavan route. What I am talking about, in particular, is the need to introduce, in the morning time leaving Cavan, direct services from Cavan, through Virginia, Whitegate, which is on the Cavan-Meath border, then to Dublin. Similarly, in the late...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (17 Oct 2024)

Brendan Smith: The point I want to make is there are people getting on the buses that are bound for Cavan who are not travelling to County Cavan. They are getting off between Dublin and Cavan. When the buses arrive to either Virginia or Cavan town, those buses are not full. Cavan people quite understandably say to me - they would say it to Bus Éireann workers and others - that they were left behind....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (17 Oct 2024)

Brendan Smith: On this route-----

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (17 Oct 2024)

Brendan Smith: May I make one point?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (17 Oct 2024)

Brendan Smith: Buses are leaving Dublin full before they are to pick up people extra.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (17 Oct 2024)

Brendan Smith: 54. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that the request of public transport commuters in County Cavan for additional capacity on a route will be given further consideration (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41895/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Public Transport (17 Oct 2024)

Brendan Smith: This Government and the Minister, in particular, have advocated very strongly for people to use public transport, and I am very glad that new and additional services have been provided to areas like my two counties of Cavan and Monaghan. Next Monday, a new Local Link service linking Cavan, Cross Keys, Ballyjamesduff, Virginia, Mullagh, Moynalty, Kells and on to Baile Ghib will be introduced...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)

Brendan Smith: As we all know, the situation in the Middle East is desperate. It has to be of the utmost concern to all of us. We have witnessed horrific scenes in Gaza, Lebanon and elsewhere. Unfortunately, the Israel Defense Forces again breached the blue line, including the Irish-Polish battalion area of operations. The situation is obviously very tense. I know the Tánaiste continues to monitor...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the Tánaiste's confirmation and reassurance with regard to liaison and contact with families, which is extremely important. I understand that the Tánaiste had a virtual meeting with his EU counterparts recently. Did they all agree that the attacks on UNIFIL peacekeepers by the IDF we have seen in recent days are completely unacceptable and reprehensible? Was there full...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)

Brendan Smith: 10. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the security needs of the central Border region will be considered in the context of the recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces that the structure of the Army be reviewed and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41900/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)

Brendan Smith: 25. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress to date in implementing the recommendation in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces that the structure of the Army be reviewed and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41899/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)

Brendan Smith: The Commission on the Defence Forces recommended significant changes to the Defence Forces. Given the changed security situation in Europe with Ukraine having been invaded by Russia and Britain's exit from the EU, we need to review the number of facilities for Army personnel and their location. Aiken Barracks, Dundalk, is located in the north east and Finner Camp is in south-west Donegal...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)

Brendan Smith: I very much welcome the fact that the needs of the central Border region in the context of defence and security issues will be taken into consideration in the review of the structures and location of Army installations. Dún Uí Néill was the most modern military barracks in Europe and opened in 1990. Very regrettably, it was closed in 2012. It is situated in the central...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (17 Oct 2024)

Brendan Smith: That knowledge is not readily available without our Permanent Defence Force being based locally. At different times, that knowledge and the work of our Defence Forces played a critical role not just in day-to-day security matters but in our State's work in keeping our country free of animal diseases over the decades when there were outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease and BSE that threatened...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (17 Oct 2024)

Brendan Smith: 95. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the proposals to increase capacity on a route (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41896/24]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (17 Oct 2024)

Brendan Smith: 116. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there have been discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to the need to tackle paramilitarism, taking into account their programme for Government reference to the fact that “paramilitary harm continues to affect too many adults and young people”; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42304/24]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Local Authorities (17 Oct 2024)

Brendan Smith: 164. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if urgent and favourable consideration will be given to a request from a local authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42324/24]