Results 7,681-7,700 of 18,450 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: I want to acknowledge the role of so many Irish people over the years and currently in peacekeeping missions in very dangerous situations. They do us proud. While Ireland is a member of the UN Human Rights Council, it is important that we highlight as strongly, vigorously and consistently as possible the issues of the persecution of minorities and of Christians and the violence worldwide...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, for his introductory remarks. As he will be aware, we have ongoing engagement on a regular basis with non-governmental organisations. I take the opportunity to compliment them on the excellent work they do, both from an advocacy point of view and through their personnel who are out at the coalface delivering services in difficult situations....

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: I am only asking. I stand over everything I stated at that time. Are the views of Irish Aid taken into account in the general scheme of things?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: As a significant player, would we not complain to the WHO about its totally inadequate response to the Ebola outbreak? Under no circumstances was I questioning the Irish response.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2015
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (28 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: I was making the point that as a major contributor we should let our voice be heard before another delayed reaction occurs.

Free Trade Agreements between the European Union and Columbia and Peru: Motion (28 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: Deputy Eric Byrne referred to yesterday's discussion in the House on the association agreements between the EU and Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. During that debate, I stated that the EU served as a shining example of how increased co-operation in trade could result in a consolidated and lasting peace between neighbours. Membership of the EU has resulted in a previously unknown peace between...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: GLAS Administration (28 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: 62. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when GLAS will open for applications; the likely applicants that will be approved for participations in the scheme; the total expenditure for this scheme in 2015; the projected number of participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3993/15]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Development Plan (28 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: 64. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the rural development programme will be approved and become operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4020/15]

EU Association Agreement with Georgia: Motion (27 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the opportunity to contribute once again on the subject of the association agreements with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The tensions and conflicts in the region to which the Minister of State refers cannot be glossed over, despite the positive impact on relations - both trade and political - that will result from these agreements between the European Union and the three countries...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: North-South Interconnector (27 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: 578. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the requests of local communities in the north east that in the event of the proposed North-South interconnector proceeding that cables will be put underground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3921/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (22 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: 6. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the impact of sanctions on Russia on trade to and from Ireland; his position on the issue of sanctions; if he foresees the lifting of sanctions in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2603/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (22 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: This is an extremely important issue. As Russia is the third largest non-EU export market for Irish goods after the United States and China, the ongoing tensions between the EU and Russia over the crisis in Ukraine are creating serious obstacles for Irish exporters to Russia, according to the Irish Russia Business Association. I understand that companies, particularly in the Irish agrifood...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (22 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. In regard to his concluding remarks on the possible easing or strengthening of sanctions, is there any indication from his discussions at European Union level of which way we are likely to go? I instance, in particular, the difficulties facing the pigmeat sector. Quite a number of years ago, both State agencies and individual companies made...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (22 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: I emphasise it is not only that Irish products are excluded from Russian markets but that the products of the other 27 members states are excluded as well and those products seek shelf space in what one might call the western part of the European Union. The Minister of State, Deputy Dara Murphy, will be aware of the importance of the pig producing sector in the north of his county,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Security (22 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: The comments of the new High Representative are important and worthwhile. We had a similar exchange in our short meeting with her when she visited this country. It is extremely important that this issue be kept on the agenda of the EU Foreign Affairs Council at all times to ensure there is an EU-wide approach and that the message will still go out to the public to be vigilant and diligent...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Security (22 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: 4. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way his Department plans to address the threat of religious fundamentalism to Ireland; the measures or discussions which will be taken at a European Union Foreign Affairs Council level with regard to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2918/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Security (22 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: It is extremely important for the Minister and his Government colleagues to be in a position to give the public a clear message that our State forces remain diligent, vigilant and very alert in their monitoring and surveillance work to ensure any potential terrorist threats to our security are dealt with successfully in the wake of recent terrorist activity in Europe.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: National Security (22 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. I concur with all the sentiments he has outlined. As he is aware, it has been estimated that at least 25 to 30 Irish citizens have travelled to Middle East conflict zones in the last four years. He will also be aware that three Irish citizens have died in the conflict zones in that region since 2010. Does the Minister have any reasonable grounds to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (22 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the Minister's outline of what has been done to date. I hope the processes are also put in place to ensure the agreement is implemented through the workings of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive and also with the co-operation of the British and Irish Governments. Will the Minister take into account the significant concerns that have been outlined by the SDLP about this...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (22 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his response. Will he outline the timeline for the establishment of the historical investigations unit? The Minister is aware of a number of issues that I have previously raised relating to the carnage which occurred on this side of the Border and which we must have referred to that commission. My understanding is these cannot be referred to the historical...