Results 6,601-6,620 of 18,320 for speaker:Brendan Smith

United Kingdom Referendum on European Union Membership: Statements (27 Jun 2016)

Brendan Smith: Growing up in a rural Border parish I was conscious from a young age of that division on our doorstep across local communities. Politically the Border was always an issue for us. Today the Border is hardly noticeable and practically invisible as people from both sides move freely across it as they do their daily business. For upwards of 20 years we have seen a process of normalisation as...

Questions on Proposed Legislation (23 Jun 2016)

Brendan Smith: When is it expected that the financial services and pensions ombudsman Bill will be advanced? In that context, could the Tánaiste give the House an assurance that her colleagues in government, namely, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, the Minister for Social Protection and the Minister for Education and Skills, will give every possible support to the 70 employees of...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Business of Select Committee (23 Jun 2016)

Brendan Smith: As we have a quorum, we shall go into public session. Apologies have been received from Deputies Crowe and Barrett and their substitutes are Deputies Funchion and Durkan. I welcome all of the members of the select committee to its first meeting of the 32nd Dáil. I look forward to working with all of them in a genuine spirit of partnership and co-operation. I am confident that we...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Business of Select Committee (23 Jun 2016)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Deputy.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Business of Select Committee (23 Jun 2016)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Deputy.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Business of Select Committee (23 Jun 2016)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Deputy and welcome Deputy Durkan. It was a pleasure to work with Deputy Durkan during the five-year term of the previous Dáil. He has been a very committed and hardworking member of this committee at all stages. Deputy Darragh O'Brien mentioned the migration crisis. Earlier this morning, I discussed that matter with our officials. A UN migration summit will take place...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Brendan Smith: The Dáil, on 16 June 2016, ordered that the Revised Estimates for Public Services in respect of Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Vote 27 - International Co-operation, be referred to the select committee for consideration. At today's meeting, the committee will consider these Estimates and report back to the Dáil. I welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Brendan Smith: Absolutely.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister and propose that we join him in extending our heartiest congratulations to the Irish team and management and supporters who have the privilege of being in France. They have all been and continue to be great ambassadors for our country. With regard to passports, members receive representations daily in regard to new passports or the renewal of passports. The Minister...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Darragh O'Brien will be followed by Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Brendan Smith: Does Deputy Darragh O'Brien wish to make a further comment?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Brendan Smith: Before we move on to programme B, I remind members that we are way beyond our time limit so all of us must be more succinct in our questioning and comments. Will the Minister give a brief outline regarding programme B?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Brendan Smith: One issue that arose over the course of our work during the term of the previous Dáil was the possible establishment of an interdepartmental committee to improve coherence of human rights protection and promotion. The Minister might let us know if that has been established. What organisations does the Department's stability fund support?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Brendan Smith: We will have to stick with the Estimates now. I stated earlier to colleagues that we would hold a special joint committee meeting on the migration crisis-----

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Brendan Smith: -----and the Minister has said he would like to speak to us about the Middle East. I ask the Minister to make very brief remarks but not to go into detailed debate at this time because of time constraints.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Brendan Smith: I am not taking away from the importance of the issue.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Brendan Smith: We will now move to programme C. I invite the Minister to make his introductory remarks.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Brendan Smith: Perhaps the Minister could outline if there are any other high-profile trade visits planned for the remainder of 2016? It is more than five years since certain trade functions were transferred to his Department with the establishment of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Will the Minister indicate whether his Department ensures that its work and goals are aligned with those of...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Brendan Smith: We now move to programme D, on which I invite the Minister to comment.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (23 Jun 2016)

Brendan Smith: Reference was made earlier to the British referendum today. Has the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade made preparations in case of a British decision to leave the European Union, which I sincerely hope will not arise? Do we have an embassy in each EU member state? If so, I presume we will continue to retain them. Also, over the years we have been very fortunate as a country in...