Results 5,621-5,640 of 18,319 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: EU Foreign Affairs Council (25 May 2017)

Brendan Smith: The next group comprises Deputy Crowe, Senator Bacik, Deputy McLoughlin and Senator Lawless.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: EU Foreign Affairs Council (25 May 2017)

Brendan Smith: Before I ask the Minister to conclude, I will refer to a few issues that he mentioned regarding the migration crisis. Unfortunately again, there was the loss of 30 lives in the Mediterranean yesterday. I understand that they were mainly toddlers. It shows the gravity of the situation of this ongoing humanitarian crisis. Senator Bacik referred to Mr. John Ging's presentation to the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: EU Foreign Affairs Council (25 May 2017)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his presentation here today and for dealing with a variety of questions covering many subjects. With regard to a specific meeting on Brexit, we would be glad to take up that offer. The clerk to the committee will contact the Minister's officials regarding a suitable time.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: EU Foreign Affairs Council (25 May 2017)

Brendan Smith: I propose the committee now go into private session. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: International Trade Agreements: Motion (25 May 2017)

Brendan Smith: Before proceeding to the business of the meeting, I remind members and those in the Gallery that mobile phones should be switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as, even in silent mode, they cause interference with recording equipment in these committee rooms. The select committee meeting is being broadcast on the Oireachtas television channel and the Internet. The purpose...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: International Trade Agreements: Motion (25 May 2017)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister. It is an agreement that is welcome. These types of agreements are important for smaller EU member states such as ours, particularly in terms of locations where Ireland does not have an embassy. I understand the European Parliament passed a resolution earlier this year calling for a full EU delegation to Mongolia. Has that been agreed at Commission level or is it...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: International Trade Agreements: Motion (25 May 2017)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: International Trade Agreements: Motion (25 May 2017)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Barrett could share his expertise on the equine and bloodstock industries any day.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: International Trade Agreements: Motion (25 May 2017)

Brendan Smith: That will have to be negotiated. The Minister made reference to the human rights dialogue. I note that in the February 2017 resolution of the European Parliament regarding the agreement, among the many issues outlined was the absolute need to eliminate discrimination against women and to eradicate all forms of child labour. Huge concern was also expressed with regard to human trafficking....

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: International Trade Agreements: Motion (25 May 2017)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for engaging so constructively with the committee on this important subject. The select committee has now completed its consideration of the motion and in accordance with the Order of 9 May 2017 and Standing Order 90, a message to that effect will now be sent to the Clerk of the Dáil.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Message to Dáil (25 May 2017)

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 motion:That Dáil Éireann approves the terms of the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part,...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Mortgages (25 May 2017)

Brendan Smith: 17. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to increase income limits for local authority house loans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24804/17]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Eligibility (25 May 2017)

Brendan Smith: 31. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to increase income limits for local authority housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24803/17]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Illicit Trade in Fuel and Tobacco Products (25 May 2017)

Brendan Smith: 85. To ask the Minister for Finance if additional measures will be introduced to deal with the problem of fuel smuggling and trading in illicit diesel products due to recent dumping of sludge south of the Border; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25124/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (25 May 2017)

Brendan Smith: 100. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to improve class sizes pupil-teacher ratios at primary level for the 2017-2018 school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25096/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Funding (25 May 2017)

Brendan Smith: 101. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will prioritise funding for primary education in his 2018 Estimates discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25097/17]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Consultant Recruitment (25 May 2017)

Brendan Smith: 176. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by a group (details supplied) regarding an appointment at consultant level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25101/17]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Brexit Issues (25 May 2017)

Brendan Smith: 255. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to assist the haulage sector regarding the challenges that will arise from Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25120/17]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Haulage Industry (25 May 2017)

Brendan Smith: 256. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to designate the licensed haulage sector as a special category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25121/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Provision (24 May 2017)

Brendan Smith: 44. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that persons starting second level school are not deprived of a school transport service which is and was available to older siblings in situations in which a new method of calculating the distance from school has been introduced and is causing difficulties in many rural parts. [24674/17]