Results 7,701-7,720 of 18,459 for speaker:Brendan Smith

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...

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

Brendan Smith: 1. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the specific actions that have been taken to implement the latest agreement reached between all parties in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2917/15]

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

Brendan Smith: I welcome the Stormont House Agreement which will help to bring much needed stability to the workings of the Northern Ireland Executive and the Northern Ireland Assembly. The agreement averted the political collapse of the Northern Ireland Executive and impending financial suspension. As I said to the Minister previously, we need a continuous hands-on approach by the Government to ensure...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (22 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: 13. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total Irish Aid funding allocated to those countries affected by the Ebola virus; the precautions being taken to ensure the health and safety of Irish citizens working in the countries affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2605/15]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (22 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: 18. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the protocols or actions that have been taken to prevent the abuse of workers in embassies and ambassadorial residences based here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2606/15]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (22 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: 20. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of any recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland concerning the motions passed unanimously by Dáil Éireann in 2008 and 2011 in relation to the Dublin-Monaghan bombings of 1974, with particular reference to access to files or papers held by the British authorities regarding these atrocities;...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (22 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: 34. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions he has taken to progress the regularisation of Irish citizens currently undocumented in the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2604/15]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (22 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: 111. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when a sergeant will be appointed to Mullagh Garda station, County Cavan, as this station needs to have a full complement of gardaí due to the very rapid growth in population in that catchment area over the past number of years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3120/15]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Home Services (22 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: 152. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to upgrade Breffni care unit, Ballyconnell, County Cavan, as this nursing unit is of critical importance in the delivery of services to the elderly in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3159/15]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Home Services (22 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: 153. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to upgrade the Lisdaran unit for the elderly, Lisdaran, County Cavan, as this nursing unit is of critical importance in the delivery of services to the elderly in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3160/15]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Home Services (22 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: 154. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to upgrade Oriel House, Rooskey, County Monaghan, as this nursing unit is of critical importance in the delivery of services to the elderly in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3161/15]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (22 Jan 2015)

Brendan Smith: 169. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the issues discussed at the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 19 January 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3165/15]