Results 7,361-7,380 of 18,459 for speaker:Brendan Smith

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...

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]