Results 7,361-7,380 of 18,449 for speaker:Brendan Smith

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...

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

Brendan Smith: I appreciate that the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Flanagan, is present to take this important issue. RTE did a good public service with its “Prime Time” documentary on collusion between British State forces and loyalist paramilitary groups. Most of us would probably have been aware of most of the incidents outlined in the programme but the actual screening...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Deaths of Irish Citizens in Berkeley: Expressions of Sympathy (17 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: I am glad we have been given this opportunity to extend our sincere sympathies to the families of those six young people who lost their lives in very tragic circumstances. It is terrible to see so many young people lose their lives in such circumstances. We were all shocked and horrified early yesterday afternoon when we heard the news about the tragic accident in Berkeley. I commend the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Sustainable Development Goals and Targets: Irish Aid (17 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: I thank Mr. Gaffey for his presentation and welcome his colleagues to the committee. He quite rightly stated that the Addis Ababa outcome needs to be ambitious. The key understanding of that conference will be agreement on how to mobilise the resources necessary to deliver the SDGs. The resolution of the UN General Assembly which established the conference indicated that representation at...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Payments Administration (17 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: 47. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware of the widespread concern of the Irish Postmasters' Union in relation to the recent issue of revised application forms from her Department; if she will ensure that these forms are officially withdrawn and replaced with the previous issue of forms, where payment at the Post Office is the first option listed, and no recommendation is...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: EU Directives (17 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: 92. To ask the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the concern of the Irish League of Credit Unions in relation to the transposition of the deposit guarantee directive into Irish law (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24178/15]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists (17 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: 215. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons on the local authority housing list in County Monaghan; the capital funding for house building, allocated to Monaghan County Council for each of the years 2015 to 2017; the number of housing units to be constructed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23976/15]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing Waiting Lists (17 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: 216. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons on the local authority housing list in County Cavan; the capital funding for house building allocated to Cavan County Council for each of the years 2015 to 2017; the number of housing units to be constructed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23977/15]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Redeployment (16 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: 297. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there are exceptional circumstances which would enable a non-established long-serving civil servant in the Office of Public Works to transfer to another Government Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23341/15]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Redeployment (16 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: 298. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to amend the Public Service Management Act 2013 to extend the options for redeployment of staff within the public sector, which would enable non-established civil servants, such as some employees in the Office of Public Works, to transfer to another Government Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23342/15]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Redeployment (16 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: 299. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has received proposals or submissions from any organisations or groups seeking amendment to the Public Service Management Act 2013 which would enable non-established civil servants to seek transfers to other Government Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23343/15]

Topical Issue Debate: Consular Services Representations (11 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his detailed reply. As I said earlier, I had the opportunity to engage with the Minister person to person, through correspondence and through parliamentary questions as well as at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade. Other members of that committee have also expressed their worry for Ibrahim. I would obviously like to see Ibrahim come off...

Topical Issue Debate: Consular Services Representations (11 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: I appreciate the Ceann Comhairle affording me the opportunity to raise this very important issue. I am pleased that the Minister, Deputy Charlie Flanagan, is here to reply. The Minister will be aware that Ibrahim Halawa has been in an Egyptian prison for 666 days, or one year, nine months and 28 days. The initial judicial process has been continually delayed and we now hear that the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: North South Ministerial Council (11 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: 185. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the issues discussed at the recent North-South Ministerial Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22889/15]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (11 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: 202. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the proposed project for a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; when this project is likely to go to tender; the likely timescale for construction and provision of new permanent accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22890/15]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Conference on Financing for Development Briefing: Dóchas (10 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: I thank the witnesses for their presentation. The issues covered are ones with which we would broadly agree and are very important. In the context of coming up with a successor to the Millennium development goals, it is very important that issues not covered by that process are dealt with, such as climate change, governance, political rights and so forth. There is an opportunity, in the...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Job Losses (10 Jun 2015)

Brendan Smith: 55. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the supports and programmes in place to assist former employees of a major manufacturing facility (details supplied) in County Monaghan that closed recently, as many of its former employees wish to obtain alternative employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22666/15]