Results 7,681-7,700 of 18,459 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Topical Issue Debate: Company Closures (29 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Nash, for his reply. I note that he issued a statement very quickly on the matter last Thursday night, and I appreciate that. I am pleased to hear the Minister of State confirm that the Minister, Deputy Bruton, is arranging to meet a senior Bose executive who is travelling to Ireland from the USA to discuss the situation. That proposal was put to the...

Topical Issue Debate: Company Closures (29 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: I appreciate the opportunity to raise this important topic. I am glad the Minister of State, Deputy Nash, is here to respond. This time last week, the 140 workers at the Bose plant in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, got the devastating news that the manufacturing plant would cease operations in April of this year. Sadly, the method of communication with the workers was desperate. Some...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Offices (29 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: 44. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will confirm that there will be no change to the status of her Department's offices in Ballybay, County Monaghan; that the work undertaken and services provided from this office will remain in Ballybay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4221/15]

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Job Losses (29 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: 70. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the actions that will be taken to ensure that every effort is made to have Bose Corporation reverse its decision to close its manufacturing facility in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan; if his attention has been drawn to the widespread concern in the local community regarding the possible loss of 140 jobs; if he will ensure that the...

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 welcome the Minister's opening statement. I concur with him with regard to the importance of the St. Patrick's Day period and the opportunity to market Ireland abroad. Does the Department have an input in trade negotiations at EU level? I refer to the proposal that the EU will participate in new trade agreements such as an EU-US agreement and an EU-Colombia-Peru agreement. Such input...

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: With regard to passports, we appreciate the help we get from both the Minister's office and the Passport Office when we have individual queries from constituents. I would like the cost of an emergency passport to be reconsidered. We have all heard of people who have to travel abroad because of a death in the family or an injury, or to pursue a job opportunity. The charge for an emergency...

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 understand an additional charge is applied where people seek to have a passport issued in a short timeframe. While the position may have changed, people were charged an additional fee previously for having a passport issued within a certain number of days. The classification of "emergency passport" appears to be wrong. What does the term mean?

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: The charge is substantial. I am aware of a number of cases involving people who had to travel abroad not on holiday but to attend to business or family matters such as a bereavement. In counties such as my home county of Cavan, which has a history of emigration, many people are affected by deaths and bereavements of loved ones in Britain. Many elderly people do not have a passport and when...

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 had the opportunity to speak on this in the Dáil last week and I compliment the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, on helping to bring about the Stormont House Agreement. The Community Relations Council made a presentation to the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and outlined its concerns about funding for different organisations...

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]