Results 7,601-7,620 of 18,450 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (26 Feb 2015)

Brendan Smith: Since the publication of the Stormont House Agreement on 23 December last, I welcome the fact that the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, has had some meetings on its implementation. Its implementation should be treated with the utmost urgency. Can the Minister outline for us the legislative provisions that would have to be enacted through the Oireachtas and what progress is being made in that...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Ukrainian Conflict (26 Feb 2015)

Brendan Smith: 1. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Ireland’s position on the deteriorating situation in the Ukraine; if he has had contact with his Russian counterpart on this matter; if he will provide an update on the discussions he has had about the incursion into Irish airspace by Russian military aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8340/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Ukrainian Conflict (26 Feb 2015)

Brendan Smith: We have all witnessed the horrific loss of life and displacement of people in the Ukraine. I hope the long-awaited truce that took hold on Wednesday in eastern Ukraine will hold. As a sovereign Parliament, we should send a clear message that the sovereignty of the Ukraine must be respected. Has the Minister conveyed such sentiments to the Russian authorities and can he assure us that he...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Ukrainian Conflict (26 Feb 2015)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the work that President Hollande and Chancellor Merkel have done in getting agreement to a ceasefire but, as I have stated previously, the Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy should be leading these discussions on behalf of the 28 member states of the EU. The Minister was correct to condemn the assault on Debaltseve. Concerns have been expressed that...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Ukrainian Conflict (26 Feb 2015)

Brendan Smith: Has the Minister engaged in discussions with his counterparts in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Norway, all of whom have publicly expressed concern about potential Russian aggression on their borders? In regard to encroachment on Irish-controlled airspace, I understand the Minister directed one of his senior officials to convey directly to the Russian ambassador the concerns of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (26 Feb 2015)

Brendan Smith: 12. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to meet with the Administration of the United States of America in relation to the urgent need to progress the proposed immigration reform legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8234/15]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Electoral Reform (26 Feb 2015)

Brendan Smith: 15. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an outline of the discussions he has had with Irish emigrant groups in relation to their ongoing campaigns to participate in the Irish electoral process, such as elections to a reformed Seanad Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8236/15]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (26 Feb 2015)

Brendan Smith: 17. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to take any particular initiative in relation to the need to progress outstanding aspects of the Good Friday and Saint Andrews Agreements including the establishment of a civic forum, the introduction of a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland, the introduction of an Irish Language Act; and if he will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (26 Feb 2015)

Brendan Smith: 26. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to provide, as a matter of urgency, additional overseas development aid for South Sudan, due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in that country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8235/15]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (26 Feb 2015)

Brendan Smith: 28. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions his Department has taken to address the persecution of Christians in the world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8233/15]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (26 Feb 2015)

Brendan Smith: 12. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to meet with the Administration of the United States of America in relation to the urgent need to progress the proposed immigration reform legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8234/15]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Electoral Reform (26 Feb 2015)

Brendan Smith: 15. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an outline of the discussions he has had with Irish emigrant groups in relation to their ongoing campaigns to participate in the Irish electoral process, such as elections to a reformed Seanad Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8236/15]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Haulage Industry Regulation (26 Feb 2015)

Brendan Smith: 226. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if consideration will be given to the request of the Irish Road Haulage Association (details supplied), in view of the particular difficulties facing hauliers, particularly in the border area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8559/15]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (25 Feb 2015)

Brendan Smith: A one hour meeting would be fine.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (25 Feb 2015)

Brendan Smith: Never mind two hours. There is a meeting of the committee dealing with the Good Friday Agreement at 3.15 p.m.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Role and Interaction of GAA with the Diaspora: GAA (25 Feb 2015)

Brendan Smith: The uachtarán and the ard-stiúrthóir have outlined a marvellous success story for us. That story is a testament to the leadership provided by Croke Park over the years and to the volunteers who run clubs on the various continents. Mr. O'Neill is due to complete his term of office next weekend and I compliment him on a very successful presidency. I am sure he will enjoy the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (25 Feb 2015)

Brendan Smith: 154. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will bring to the attention of the Government in Yemen, the concerns of the Baha'i Community, in relation to a Yemeni national (details supplied) who has been imprisoned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8470/15]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (25 Feb 2015)

Brendan Smith: 155. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide the details of his recent visit to the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8471/15]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Peace Process (25 Feb 2015)

Brendan Smith: 156. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the specific proposals he has put forward at the European Union Foreign Affairs Council, in relation to the need for the European Union to initiate a new round of peace talks, concerning the Israeli-Palestine conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8472/15]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Bodies (25 Feb 2015)

Brendan Smith: 158. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she plans to appoint a representative of the Teachers' Union of Ireland to the Apprenticeship Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8347/15]