Results 7,001-7,020 of 18,325 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Topical Issue Debate: UK Referendum on EU Membership (5 Nov 2015)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. In my concluding remarks I referred to the Good Friday Agreement and its importance for the development of relations on an all-Ireland framework, namely, the relationships between North and South and east and west which, thankfully, have improved immeasurably over the past 15 or 20 years. Breaking the link by means of a unilateral British and...

Topical Issue Debate: UK Referendum on EU Membership (5 Nov 2015)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this very important matter for discussion and I am glad that the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Deenihan, is present to reply. A report published today by the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, highlights the possible economic implications of a British exit from the European Union for Ireland...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Cross-Border Co-operation (5 Nov 2015)

Brendan Smith: 137. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the proposals she is putting forward at the all-party talks on the need to establish a cross-Border task force to deal with organised crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38905/15]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Location of Victims' Remains (5 Nov 2015)

Brendan Smith: 154. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if it is proposed to take any new initiatives to support the very important and difficult work of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains, as it is essential that every effort is made and public support given to assist in the recovery of the bodies of the disappeared; and if she will make a statement on the matter....

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Home Help Service Provision (5 Nov 2015)

Brendan Smith: 188. To ask the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, he has to provide additional home help hours for counties Cavan and Monaghan, given the very substantial reduction in such supports since 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38889/15]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities Funding (5 Nov 2015)

Brendan Smith: 256. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the grant application submitted to his Department in respect of the development of the Leitrim and Cavan Greenway; when will this application be approved and funding allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38835/15]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities Funding (5 Nov 2015)

Brendan Smith: 257. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the grant application submitted to his Department in respect of the development of the Sligo and Leitrim Greenway; when will this application be approved and funding allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38836/15]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Improvement Schemes (5 Nov 2015)

Brendan Smith: 261. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if specific funding will be provided to Monaghan County Council in respect of the urgent need to upgrade the R190 Ballybay to Cootehill road, as there is serious concern locally about consistent flooding on particular stretches of the road which is a danger to motorists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38907/15]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Sports Capital Programme Applications (5 Nov 2015)

Brendan Smith: 262. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if urgent consideration will be provided to a request from a club (details supplied) to have its application under the sports capital programme for 2015 reviewed; if he will ensure that all the issues raised in correspondence of 16 October 2015 to his Department will be given urgent consideration, with a view to having the application...

Northern Ireland: Statements (3 Nov 2015)

Brendan Smith: Each speaker in this debate has referred to the need to deal with the legacy of the past. Last Sunday in my constituency in County Monaghan a mass was celebrated for the late Columba McVeigh, a young man who was taken away and brutally murdered by thugs, criminals and murderers masquerading as republicans. That mass was celebrated by Fr. Sean Nolan in the Church of the Sacred Heart in...

Other Questions: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (3 Nov 2015)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State. The 0.7% of GNP target is proportionate, whether we are in good or in very challenging economic times. The highest level of assistance provided at any time was €920 million in 2008, which was 0.59% of GNP at that time. Very respected non-governmental organisations, such as Trócaire, GOAL, Oxfam and Dóchas, have been advocating very...

Other Questions: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (3 Nov 2015)

Brendan Smith: As the Minister of State knows, our aid has always been classed as untied aid, which is very important. A substantial part of ODA goes to international agencies such as the UN, the World Health Organization and so on. I read a report recently which suggested that GOAL was able to use the funding provided by our State as leverage to draw down very substantial funding from the British...

Other Questions: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (3 Nov 2015)

Brendan Smith: 107. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his proposals to reach the United Nations target of 0.7% of gross national product for overseas development aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36929/15]

Other Questions: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (3 Nov 2015)

Brendan Smith: Ireland has a long-standing and internationally respected tradition of contributing overseas aid in various forms, as peacekeepers, mediators and through the work of missionaries, medical and nursing personnel. The contributions of this country through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, through other Departments and statutory agencies and, in particular, through Irish Aid in untied...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Peace Process (3 Nov 2015)

Brendan Smith: I exhort the Minister to ensure this issue will be on the agenda for every single Foreign Affairs Council meeting. He is aware that violent clashes erupted in September between Israeli security officials and Palestinians at the al-Aqsa mosque compound in east Jerusalem. Unfortunately, we have since witnessed once again a new wave of violence and a number of fatalities on both sides of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Peace Process (3 Nov 2015)

Brendan Smith: As a nation, we know better than many the despair and waste of pointless brutality and sectarian violence. As the beneficiary of international support for its own peace process, Ireland has a moral duty to find its voice and to use it to oppose the continuing violence in Israel and Palestine. I reiterate that together with colleagues in government, the Minister must take every opportunity in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Peace Process (3 Nov 2015)

Brendan Smith: 103. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline any new initiatives that will be taken by the European Union on the Middle East peace process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37186/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Peace Process (3 Nov 2015)

Brendan Smith: The establishment of a peacefully coexistent Israel and Palestine in light of long-standing violence in the Middle East would prove a substantial pillar of stability in ongoing efforts to stabilise that region. In recent weeks High Representative Mogherini has taken part in meetings with the quartet and bilateral discussions with the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Netanyahu, and President...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (3 Nov 2015)

Brendan Smith: Those of us who are privileged to be public representatives on this island should reflect that we all have a mandate to implement the Good Friday Agreement. That agreement received over 94% support in the referendum in our State and well over 70% North of the Border. It behoves all of us in public life on this island to work ceaselessly to ensure that its provisions and those of subsequent...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (3 Nov 2015)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his response and I hope this intensive phase of the talks will draw to a successful conclusion. The need for such a conclusion is evidently demonstrated by the report on paramilitary activity - which makes for stark reading - and the attendant problems for communities on both sides of the Border. As the House knows, that report pointed out that individual...