Results 7,221-7,240 of 18,325 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Amnesty International Annual Report 2014 (1 Jul 2015)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Chairman and thank Mr. O'Gorman and his colleagues for a detailed report, which paints an extremely grim picture regarding many humanitarian problems worldwide, as well as the challenges these problems bring for global society. He also referred to the refuge crises in many regions, and the fact that Syria is not in the headlines daily just shows one what other competing crises...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Losses (1 Jul 2015)

Brendan Smith: 103. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide an outline of the discussions he has had with an insurance company (details supplied) in respect of that company's proposal to reduce its workforce by 270 persons; if he has outlined to the company the absolute need to retain the maximum level of employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26562/15]

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Losses (1 Jul 2015)

Brendan Smith: 104. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has outlined to an insurance company (details supplied) the need for the company to honour the commitments made at the time of purchase of Quinn Insurance to retain employment levels of almost 1,500; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26563/15]

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (30 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: 149. To ask the Taoiseach if he raised at his recent meeting with the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, the need for the British Government to respond positively and without further delay to the motions passed unanimously by Dáil Éireann in 2008 and 2011 requesting access for an eminent independent legal person to all papers and files pertaining to the Dublin-Monaghan...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Payments (30 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: 180. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the proposals she has to increase rent supplement levels and to introduce more flexibility in limits for tenants who are at risk of homelessness, as requested by an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25995/15]

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Funding (30 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: 388. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will ensure funding is reinstated to a group (details supplied) which has been providing valuable support over a wide area in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Meath to families who have suffered bereavements; if this request will be given urgent consideration as the group made commitments based on the continuation of grant assistance...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (30 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: 573. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when notifications in respect of the allocation of special needs assistants will issue for the 2015-2016 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26376/15]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Outstanding Legacy Issues in Northern Ireland: Discussion (25 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: I welcome our three visitors and thank them for their succinct presentation regarding the day to day issues affecting ex-prisoners and people with convictions. Mr. Roberts's reference to paragraph 5 of the Good Friday Agreement with particular reference to prisoners is very important, where it outlines: "The Governments continue to recognise the importance of measures to facilitate the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Outstanding Legacy Issues in Northern Ireland: Discussion (25 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: I asked about the proposal of the review panel that the voluntary code be put on a statutory basis. What is the status of that proposal? What interaction do the delegates have with members of the Executive on that legislative measure?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Outstanding Legacy Issues in Northern Ireland: Discussion (25 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: Is there no appetite among political parties in the Assembly and in the Executive to provide legislative measures?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Outstanding Legacy Issues in Northern Ireland: Discussion (25 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: Is that true of all parties in the Assembly?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Proposed Repeal of UK Human Rights Act: Discussion (25 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: I apologise. I had to go to two other meetings in the meantime. It is one of those crazy days. Unfortunately, I missed the presentations. However, I ready the documentation that had been advanced. I merely want to comment. It would be absolutely reprehensible and totally unacceptable for there to be changes to or abolition of the Human Rights Act by the British Government. An...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (25 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: 228. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to provide additional humanitarian aid to assist in Gaza, particularly with the needs of children, due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in that area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25650/15]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (25 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: 229. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals he put forward at recent European Union Foreign Affairs Councils, regarding the need to provide additional humanitarian aid to the Gaza region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25651/15]

Credit Unions: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (24 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: I am glad of the opportunity to make a short contribution on this very important motion. There was an implication by some on the Government side that the contents of this motion could lead to inadequate governance and regulation but that is far from the truth. We want absolutely adequate, proportional and proper regulation. I have spoken to directors, members of credit unions and staff and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade between Ireland and ASEAN Countries (Resumed): Asia Matters (24 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: I will give way to Senator Jim Walsh. I was late getting here.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade between Ireland and ASEAN Countries (Resumed): Asia Matters (24 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: I apologise for being delayed at an earlier meeting, which is why my colleague, Senator Jim Walsh, led off. I agree with the contributions made on the excellence of the presentation and its focus. I refer to the education issue. Asia Matters asks if the appointment of an Irish education attaché would be useful. It is a useful concept. During the years different embassies in...

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Regulations (24 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: 280. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to bring forward to 1 August 2015 the start date to enable hedge cutting and burning of scrub to take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25194/15]

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Wildlife Regulations (24 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: 281. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there is provision in the regulations determining the times for hedge cutting and burning of scrub to enable specific derogations for such work to be undertaken outside those specific periods, where farmers may need to carry out such preparatory work to enable drainage and land reclamation work to be undertaken; and if she will...

Topical Issue Debate: Northern Ireland Issues (17 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. We know that the day of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings was the day of the greatest carnage during the period known as the Troubles. On that day, we witnessed the death of 33 innocent people and injuries caused to 300 innocent people. In replies to parliamentary questions I have consistently tabled, the Minister has indicated very strongly to me that he has...