Results 561-580 of 2,396 for speaker:Barry Ward
- Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)
Barry Ward: Today, I and other members of the Ukraine parliamentary friendship group met with the ambassador, H.E. Larysa Gerasko. One of the concerns she expressed was that she has heard that Ukraine is no longer a priority for Ireland. I have never heard any such statement from any member of my party, of the Minister of State's party or of Government. Will the Minister confirm that Ukraine remains a...
- Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)
Barry Ward: I will shortly talk about EU expansionism but I feel I need to address some of the comments Deputy Lawless has made about hate speech legislation. I am very much an advocate for free speech. Quite apart from the fact that it is a right under the European Convention, it is a constitutional right in this jurisdiction which must be respected and maintained. However, having a law that says...
- Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)
Barry Ward: The Deputy can read the comments I made on this in the Seanad. As the Fine Gael justice spokesperson in the Seanad, I spoke for a very long time on many occasions on that Bill. There is no doubt whatsoever about my views on this. The Deputy speaks as if there are no restrictions on free speech and suggests we should tell the EU to go and get stuffed. What kind of a comment is that to...
- Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)
Barry Ward: -----race and religion. I do not want people like that to be put upon by other people because they choose to speak out against them. The Deputy speaks as if there are no restrictions on free speech, as if it is an absolute thing. Presumably he would throw out the defamation laws as well because-----
- Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)
Barry Ward: -----he believes people should be able to say whatever they want, as is the case in America. He believes people can say whatever they want and it does not matter if they do down someone's good name or incite hatred against them. What an absolute nonsense stance to take. He should be responsible and recognise that no right in our Constitution or any other international instrument we are...
- Committee on European Union Affairs: Findings of the 2025 European Movement Ireland EU Poll: European Movement Ireland (9 Jul 2025)
Barry Ward: To discuss the findings of European Movement Ireland's 2025 EU poll, we are joined by Ms Noelle O'Connell, chief executive officer, and Ms Lorna Hayes, deputy CEO and head of policy and research. They are both very welcome. I really appreciate them coming here because there is a lot of interest in the poll and in what they have to say. Before we begin, I have to read a note on privilege...
- Committee on European Union Affairs: Findings of the 2025 European Movement Ireland EU Poll: European Movement Ireland (9 Jul 2025)
Barry Ward: I thank Ms O'Connell. A lot of work went into this, so there is a lot to go through.
- Committee on European Union Affairs: Findings of the 2025 European Movement Ireland EU Poll: European Movement Ireland (9 Jul 2025)
Barry Ward: If the witnesses are happy to, we will come back to them after each speaker, within the five minutes.
- Committee on European Union Affairs: Findings of the 2025 European Movement Ireland EU Poll: European Movement Ireland (9 Jul 2025)
Barry Ward: I am loath to interrupt Ms O'Connell and I know she said she would come to Ms Hayes. We might come back to her. I just want to try to stick to the five minutes per member. We will come back to Ms Hayes on the migration issue later.
- Committee on European Union Affairs: Findings of the 2025 European Movement Ireland EU Poll: European Movement Ireland (9 Jul 2025)
Barry Ward: I am loath to cut Ms Hayes off a second time. I will allow her to answer now if members are agreeable with that because we want to hear the answers.
- Committee on European Union Affairs: Findings of the 2025 European Movement Ireland EU Poll: European Movement Ireland (9 Jul 2025)
Barry Ward: I call Deputy Ó Murchú. This is not directed at you specifically, but just to remember, members-----
- Committee on European Union Affairs: Findings of the 2025 European Movement Ireland EU Poll: European Movement Ireland (9 Jul 2025)
Barry Ward: You just need to leave time for the witnesses to respond because I will cut off after five minutes, particularly with you.
- Committee on European Union Affairs: Findings of the 2025 European Movement Ireland EU Poll: European Movement Ireland (9 Jul 2025)
Barry Ward: Is Deputy Ó Murchú happy enough?
- Committee on European Union Affairs: Findings of the 2025 European Movement Ireland EU Poll: European Movement Ireland (9 Jul 2025)
Barry Ward: There are three more members in the first round: Deputies Crowe, Butterly and Gibney. Senators O'Loughlin and Andrews also want to get in.
- Committee on European Union Affairs: Findings of the 2025 European Movement Ireland EU Poll: European Movement Ireland (9 Jul 2025)
Barry Ward: There is a vote in the Seanad, if that concerns anyone.
- Committee on European Union Affairs: Findings of the 2025 European Movement Ireland EU Poll: European Movement Ireland (9 Jul 2025)
Barry Ward: I thank Senator Andrews. I call Senator O'Loughlin.
- Committee on European Union Affairs: Findings of the 2025 European Movement Ireland EU Poll: European Movement Ireland (9 Jul 2025)
Barry Ward: I will come in on a few issues. First, I absolutely agree with Ms O'Connell's last comment on enlargement. It has stalled slightly and there is an obligation on the Commission to reignite that process. In the poll, the influence question is important. I put on record my support for the work EMI does on the publication of positions available in Europe at all levels. As a committee, what...
- Committee on European Union Affairs: Findings of the 2025 European Movement Ireland EU Poll: European Movement Ireland (9 Jul 2025)
Barry Ward: Yes, it was about the change to the question.
- Committee on European Union Affairs: Findings of the 2025 European Movement Ireland EU Poll: European Movement Ireland (9 Jul 2025)
Barry Ward: Does anyone need to come back in on any other issue or ask any further questions?