Results 7,841-7,860 of 18,325 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: North South Ministerial Council (8 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 153. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the issues discussed at the recent North South Ministerial Council meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38523/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Private Schools (8 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 205. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the concerns of the smaller fee charging schools, particularly small schools in rural areas under the patronage of minority churches, in respect of the reduction in financial support for them in the past three years such as through changes in pupil-teacher ratio; the proposals, she has to ensure that these...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Local Improvement Scheme (8 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 236. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide specific funding to local authorities in 2015 to reinstate local improvement schemes which are essential for rural dwellers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38308/14]

Other Questions: Infectious Diseases Epidemic (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: One of the suggestions made at the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade was that there should be a national co-ordinated response to ensure medical or nursing personnel, if willing to travel to the region to use their skills and knowledge in that area, will be facilitated with leave of absence. Will that be considered? Naturally, the co-ordination of funding was raised. As I stated...

Other Questions: Infectious Diseases Epidemic (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the fact that the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, visited the region and the substantial funding he provided. Hopefully, he will be able to provide more funding to assist in the very desperate situation. Has the Italian Presidency organised a special meeting of the Council of Ministers on national development to deal with the issue, help in co-ordination and ensure the funding...

Other Questions: Infectious Diseases Epidemic (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 82. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions his Department has taken to address the ebola virus epidemic in west Africa; the specific projects funded by his Department in this area; the risk this epidemic poses to Europe and Ireland; the actions being taken to reduce this risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37717/14]

Other Questions: Infectious Diseases Epidemic (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: Last week, at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, representatives of GOAL and Doctors without Borders presented a frightening and horrific picture of what is happening in west Africa. We know that the current ebola outbreak has caused the deaths of at least 3,000 people and west Africa is experiencing the biggest outbreak of this virus ever known. The World Health...

Other Questions: Trade Relations (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. In 2011, we exported food and drink worth approximately €150 million to Russia. In the meantime, there has been a substantial increase in these exports. The Minister of State referred to a modest impact, but this does not include the displacement factor. I know someone who exports a substantial quantity of food to Britain. His...

Other Questions: Trade Relations (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: Between 2008 and 2013, the growth in sales was a phenomenal 87%. This shows the potential of the Russian market. Will the Minister of State assure the House that his Department and the relevant State agencies besides Bord Bia will ensure that some initiatives are taken to seek markets for other sectors, given the possible displacement of our products from Russia?

Other Questions: Trade Relations (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State. Perhaps he or his officials might check something for me. I have received representations to the effect that there is still great scope for some sectors that are loosely associated with the agrifood industry, including genetics, ingredients, food technology and agricultural consultancy, to increase their trade with Russia. Does the briefing note prepared for...

Other Questions: Trade Relations (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 79. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the effects on exports from Ireland as a result of the EU-Russian trade sanctions; the further trade opportunities that have been pursued by the Department to counter the negative impact of the sanctions on Irish exporters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37720/14]

Other Questions: Trade Relations (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: Given that Russia is the third largest non-EU export market for Irish goods, after the United States and Canada, the sanctions being imposed by Russia on EU exports have to be of serious concern to us. It is not just about the direct impact on Irish exports; the indirect impact also means there is more competition among European exporters for a smaller market share. Can the Minister of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the Minister's clear indication that he wants to see the momentum restored to ensure the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement and the St. Andrews Agreement are implemented in full. At the North-South Ministerial Council meeting last Friday, did the members of the Northern Ireland Executive indicate whether they are attaching any urgency to achieving agreement on the Bill of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: It baffles me why a North-South consultative forum could not be in place by now. Civil society does not threaten anybody. Civil society has also played an important role. In many areas of Northern Ireland where I have had opportunities to meet local communities, people feel they are not adequately represented by the political system. Civil society might assist in filling that deficit. ...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 77. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the initiatives he is taking to ensure the further implementation of provisions of the Good Friday and St. Andrews Agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37871/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: Achieving the Good Friday Agreement and having it endorsed by the overwhelming majority of the all the people on this island were truly seminal moments in our history and gave us a whole new inclusive political architecture for the governance of our country. Sixteen years on, we need to have the remaining aspects of that agreement implemented in full, including the Bill of Rights for...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply and I am glad to note there will be an expansion of the particular issues to be discussed. Will Minister indicate the timeframe and the work programme? When does he hope to have these agreed between the two Governments and the Executive parties? The Minister quite rightly stated that peace must yield benefits and dividends to all communities. Throughout...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 74. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of the latest initiative to reach agreement on the Haass proposals in Northern Ireland; the areas to be dealt with in these talks; if the devolution of further responsibilities to the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37870/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: I congratulate the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, and the Ministers of State at that Department on their appointments, and I wish them well in their responsibilities. I welcome the statement made at the end of September by the British Secretary of State, Theresa Villiers, to the effect that there will be a new round of cross-party negotiations involving the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 88. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his assessment of immigration reform legislation being passed in the United States Congress; the actions he has taken to progress the position of the undocumented Irish in the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37719/14]