Results 7,541-7,560 of 18,459 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Service Provision (2 Apr 2015)

Brendan Smith: 261. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the proposals there are to improve broadband telecommunications service in an area (details supplied) in County Cavan; if he is aware that households and many small enterprises are very concerned regarding the totally inadequate service that exists at present; if the necessary investment programme will be undertaken...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Mobile Telephony Services Provision (2 Apr 2015)

Brendan Smith: 260. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he proposes to raise as a matter of extreme urgency with the European Union communications Ministers and at the European communications Council the need to implement the previously agreed abolition of mobile phone roaming charges in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13755/15]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: North-South Interconnector (2 Apr 2015)

Brendan Smith: 262. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the recent EirGrid report which provides for alternatives to high voltage overhead power lines in the grid link project and in the grid west project and which does not provide similar alternatives for the North-South interconnector; if he will request EirGrid to review this matter; and if he will make a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Regional Road Network (2 Apr 2015)

Brendan Smith: 273. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding in 2015 to upgrade the Cootehill/Shercock/Carrickmacross/Dundalk route, in view of the heavy volume of traffic on this road and the urgent need to have necessary improvement works undertaken, and taking into account the substantial preparatory work, planning and design that have already been undertaken; and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Global Irish - Ireland’s Diaspora Policy: Minister of State at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (1 Apr 2015)

Brendan Smith: There was competition, so.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Global Irish - Ireland’s Diaspora Policy: Minister of State at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (1 Apr 2015)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the presentation by the Minister of State, Deputy Deenihan. I note that he states that the policy is evolving and that he is anxious to get input from everybody involved, which I very much welcome. The importance of the diaspora is very much reflected in Article 2 of the Constitution, Bunreacht na hÉireann, which refers to the special affinity of the Irish people with its...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Global Irish - Ireland’s Diaspora Policy: Minister of State at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (1 Apr 2015)

Brendan Smith: That team will be challenging Kilkenny soon enough.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad: Motion (1 Apr 2015)

Brendan Smith: All of us recognise what the officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have been doing both in headquarters here and in the embassy. I also recognise the work of the Minister, Deputy Charles Flanagan, who takes a hands-on approach to issues. Senator Daly made it clear in his comments that he recognises the work of the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, and the officials concerned....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad: Motion (1 Apr 2015)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Durkan made the point that he spoke to the Taoiseach about this matter, and that is welcome. Could we not send a letter to the Taoiseach on the basis that we had another discussion at this meeting on the desperate situation in which Ibrahim finds himself and the obvious concerns of his family and the wider community in Ireland; that we had another detailed report from the Minister for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad: Motion (1 Apr 2015)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Durkan said he had no problem with my suggestion that we write to the Taoiseach outlining that we have discussed this matter today, that reference was made to the intervention of his counterparts in regard to prisoners that had a successful outcome, and asking that if his intervention would be appropriate at this stage, he would do everything possible to support the work of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad: Motion (1 Apr 2015)

Brendan Smith: On the basis that we discuss it again at committee, it is no harm.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad: Motion (1 Apr 2015)

Brendan Smith: We are not undermining, we are supporting.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (1 Apr 2015)

Brendan Smith: 129. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the historical investigations unit is expected to be established and operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13461/15]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Firearms Licences (31 Mar 2015)

Brendan Smith: 402. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the review of firearms legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13246/15]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes Funding (31 Mar 2015)

Brendan Smith: 504. To ask the Minister for Health the funding provided for the north east local and regional drug and alcohol task force, on an annual basis from 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13245/15]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Seniors Alert Scheme (31 Mar 2015)

Brendan Smith: 665. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he is aware of the concern of many community groups in relation to the proposed changes to the senior alert scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13244/15]

An Bille um an gCearthrú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Síocháin agus Neodracht) 2014: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Peace and Neutrality) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (27 Mar 2015)

Brendan Smith: We are debating neutrality in the Chamber for the second time in eight sitting days. While this Bill is different from what was debated three weeks ago, it too seeks to enshrine neutrality in Bunreacht na hÉireann. In his introductory remarks Deputy Wallace referred to the Hague Convention. My understanding from the limited research I have been able to undertake on this very important...

An Bille um an gCearthrú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht (Síocháin agus Neodracht) 2014: An Dara Céim [Comhaltaí Príobháideacha] - Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Peace and Neutrality) Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (27 Mar 2015)

Brendan Smith: It is absolutely reprehensible that a person in that position would make such comments. At every opportunity available to any of us as elected representatives, particularly those in the Government, we should remind him those comments are reprehensible. Since the 1930s and 1940s, we have never sought to have the type of neutrality that, for example, Belgium had before 1914, for the very...

High Pay and Wealth Commission Bill 2014: Second Stage [Private Members] (27 Mar 2015)

Brendan Smith: I compliment Deputy Broughan on bringing forward this legislation. Over all his years in the Oireachtas, these are issues that he continually highlights and advocates very strongly. Fianna Fáil does not support the Bill, which would create a body with a remit to make regulatory recommendations on the awarding of executive pay and compensation, while introducing caps on remuneration for...

Protection of the Environment (Criminal Activity) (Amendment) Bill 2015: Leave to Withdraw (26 Mar 2015)

Brendan Smith: I move:That, notwithstanding Standing Order 124, leave be given to withdraw the Protection of the Environment (Criminal Activity) (Amendment) Bill 2015.