Results 7,301-7,320 of 18,449 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. Will he give an assurance that progress can and will be achieved in the area of establishing the truth in regard to collusion? In recent months we have witnessed excellent public service given by BBC and RTE in very good documentaries on collusion by British state forces with terrorist organisations in the North of Ireland and, indeed, also in the South....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Smith: 92. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the Stormont House Agreement will be implemented fully; the actions he has taken in view of the recent revelations of collusion between British State forces and terrorist organisations in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28625/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Smith: The Stormont House Agreement, which followed on from the Haass talks, is intended to bind the parties and communities closer together in resolving identity and legacy issues, coming to an agreement on welfare reform and making government finance in Northern Ireland more sustainable. Could the Minister outline the progress that is being made in respect of its implementation? We all welcomed...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. Unfortunately, we witnessed hooliganism on our television screens last night. We saw the actions of a small minority determined to return to the bad old days. They must not and will not succeed. It is very important that this small band of extremists is marginalised so it is extremely important that we push the political process forward. I did not...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: International Terrorism (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Smith: Will the Minister give a clear assurance on Irish citizens' rights to seek assistance from other EU member state embassies in countries where we do not have diplomatic representation and that the European External Action Service is available to citizens where Ireland does not have diplomatic representation? Will the Minister also give an assurance that this issue and the issue of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: International Terrorism (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Smith: 89. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the recent terrorist attack in Tunisia, the protocols and procedures his Department has in effect to ensure the safety of Irish citizens travelling throughout the world; if his Department has consulted with his Government and European colleagues with regard to ensuring the security of Irish citizens abroad; and if he will make a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: International Terrorism (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Smith: On 26 June, 38 people were murdered at random in a holiday resort in Tunisia. Those victims included three Irish people. That massacre of innocent people by terrorists awakened in all of us the need to be more vigilant when we prepare to travel to some countries where there is instability or ongoing conflict. Does the Minister ensure that all travel advice offered by his Department is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: International Terrorism (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Smith: I join with the Minister in extending our sincere sympathies to the families who lost loved ones in that terrible atrocity. We had an opportunity at the Oireachtas foreign affairs committee to pass on our condolences and condemn this massacre of innocent people in the strongest possible manner. Following the upgrade in advice given by the Department, has there been an increase in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Smith: 100. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the barriers that remain to immigration reform for undocumented Irish citizens in the United States of America; if there are any proposals in his Department to seek an increase in United States of America programmes allowing Irish citizens to live and work there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28338/15]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Smith: 122. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions his Department is taking to ensure the full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28339/15]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Easter Rising Commemorations (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Smith: 123. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the key events being organised by his Department to commemorate the centenary of the 1916 Rising abroad; the budget allocation that has been made from his Department for those commemorations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28340/15]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Smith: 127. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his response to the Report of the Independent Commission of Inquiry on the 2014 Gaza Conflict; if he has met with the Israeli and Palestinian ambassadors regarding the findings of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28341/15]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Citizens Imprisoned Abroad (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Smith: 130. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the directions he or his Department have provided to State agencies or non-governmental organisations with regard to the continuous incarceration of an Irish citizen (details supplied) in Egypt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28337/15]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (14 Jul 2015)

Brendan Smith: 726. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the time frame for Ireland to reach the United Nations target of providing 0.7% of gross national product for official development assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28419/15]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Sustainable Development Goals and Ireland's 60th Year of UN Membership: Discussion (9 Jul 2015)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the ambassador. As a country, we are privileged to have a person of the capacity, calibre and commitment of Mr. Donoghue as our ambassador to the UN. Those of us who have seen him operate in different roles in the past know of his commitment and of his great work on behalf of our country. The ambassador referred to the formation of the UN 70 years ago in the immediate aftermath...

Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (9 Jul 2015)

Brendan Smith: 6. To ask the Minister for Health how it is proposed to reduce waiting times for orthopaedic surgery, with particular reference to the north east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27578/15]

Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (9 Jul 2015)

Brendan Smith: As the Minister is aware, there is a problem with waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery in the north east, and the problem is particularly acute for patients in the Cavan-Monaghan area. Of the total on outpatient waiting lists in the north east, 43% are referred through Cavan General Hospital and they are awaiting appointments and assessments by orthopaedic surgeons. There is an urgent need...

Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (9 Jul 2015)

Brendan Smith: Constituents have been making an increasing number of representations in the past two years concerning people, particularly those in the older age cohort, who need care and attention or surgery in respect of hips, knees and shoulders. In many instances, when people are suffering a particular ailment and are awaiting orthopaedic treatment, this drags down their general health, as the Minister...

Other Questions: Hospital Waiting Lists (9 Jul 2015)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister and I will refer some particular queries I have. Cappagh Hospital is an important hospital for the north east, as well as the hospitals in Navan and Drogheda. My understanding is that two years ago or less there was a reduction in bed capacity at Cappagh. Did the Minister say the capacity had been increased in Cappagh? A comment was made to me by one GP that if GPs...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Waiting Lists (9 Jul 2015)

Brendan Smith: 24. To ask the Minister for Health the proposals he has to increase orthopaedic surgery capacity in the north east, given the numbers waiting for treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27577/15]