Results 4,681-4,700 of 18,449 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (15 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: 509. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if further consideration will be provided to the request for additional funding in respect of the roadworks programme 2018 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21398/18]

Working Group of Committee Chairmen: Matters of Public Policy: Discussion with Taoiseach (10 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: The Taoiseach may be aware that the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence recently published a review of Irish Aid. In conducting the review we met stakeholders - NGOs, departmental officials, Ministers, members of academia and the former ambassador Mr. David Donoghue. The response to the Irish Aid programme has been overwhelmingly positive in terms of what it has...

Working Group of Committee Chairmen: Matters of Public Policy: Discussion with Taoiseach (10 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: The Taoiseach referenced Britain's good record in recent years with regard to overseas development aid. That followed the decision by Mr. Blair's Government to implement the legislative requirement. One of the Taoiseach's party colleagues suggested to our committee that we should be doing likewise. I presume the Taoiseach does not have any particular legislation in mind for the moment with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Business of Joint Committee (10 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: I welcome Deputy Niall Collins to the joint committee for his first meeting as Fianna Fáil spokesperson on foreign affairs and trade. The committee looks forward to working with him. Apologies have been received from Deputies Seán Crowe, Noel Grealish and Maureen O’Sullivan and Senators Billy Lawless and Gabrielle McFadden.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Syrian Conflict: Irish Syria Solidarity Movement (10 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: In the first part of the meeting we will meet Dr. Annie Sparrow to discuss the effect of the Syrian conflict on children. I remind members, witnesses 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 recording equipment in the committee room. I remind...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Syrian Conflict: Irish Syria Solidarity Movement (10 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: I thank Dr. Sparrow. Over the past number of years, the committee has heard very graphic descriptions of the horror inflicted on innocent people in Syria, the displacement, the loss of life and the never-ending conflict. Her contribution today again highlights the savagery imposed on so many innocent people. In excess of 13 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance and 5.6...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Syrian Conflict: Irish Syria Solidarity Movement (10 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: Dr. Sparrow will note from all the contributions that we are anxious and willing to put forward to the Government and the Minister, in particular, specific proposals that she has, which could help to ease the situation. It is a huge task, unfortunately, as Deputy Barrett said, but has she specific proposals that she could outline to us which we, in turn, we could advocate to our Government...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Syrian Conflict: Irish Syria Solidarity Movement (10 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: We are under time constraints because we have another session at 11 a.m. Do members have any issue they wish to raise briefly?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Syrian Conflict: Irish Syria Solidarity Movement (10 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: I see Valerie Hughes and others in the Gallery. They have been great advocates since 2011 in regard to these atrocities. I assure Dr. Sparrow that we will bring her evidence to the attention of the Minister, Department officials and any other relevant Government officials. We will bring to their attention the proposals she has put forward and we will ask the Minister if he can pursue these...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Situation in Palestine: Discussion (10 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: In part B of today's meeting, we meet Mr. Omar Barghouti to discuss the current situation in Palestine and the growing non-violent civil society movement that opposes Israel's occupation. Mr. Barghouti is welcome. Before beginning, I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to ensure that their mobile phones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting, as...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Situation in Palestine: Discussion (10 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: I thank Mr. Barghouti for his presentation, which gave a concise and clear outline of his organisation's position and of the issues he wants us to consider and put to the Government. I understand Senator Bacik has commitments in the Seanad. I will take her contribution first, to be followed by Deputy Niall Collins.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Situation in Palestine: Discussion (10 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: I thank Mr. Barghouti. In general terms, with regard to the encroaching settlements which have existed for some time now, how feasible is the two-state solution now? A former foreign Minister of our country, the late Brian Lenihan senior, was the first person in the European Union to advocate for, and then have, a distinct policy in regard to that, and it is one that is held strongly in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Situation in Palestine: Discussion (10 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: Before I bring in Deputy Seán Barrett, I have a further question. Is Mr. Barghouti, who I appreciate is answering these specific questions in a personal capacity, stating that the policy advocated by the European Union, by Ireland as a member state and by other member states is obsolete?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Situation in Palestine: Discussion (10 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: We would all advocate a two-state solution based on the principle of human rights and not only as a mantra. The mantra would be meaningless, if there were not the basic human rights and civil rights to follow for all people.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Situation in Palestine: Discussion (10 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: I thank Mr. Barghouti.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Situation in Palestine: Discussion (10 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: Senator Mac Lochlainn is next and I will then bring in Mr. Barghouti.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Situation in Palestine: Discussion (10 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: I have to go now as the Taoiseach is addressing the chairpersons of the various committees and I have a speaking slot. I will ask Deputy Barrett to take over.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Situation in Palestine: Discussion (10 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: We are now back in public session. I will adjourn the meeting.

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (10 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: 22. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the position regarding a review of pay and the other issues PDFORRA were seeking to have through the conciliation process regarding the terms and conditions for members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20429/18]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel Data (10 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: 46. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of personnel serving in the Permanent Defence Forces to date; the projected enlistment by the end of 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20428/18]