Results 7,961-7,980 of 18,450 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Impact of Conflict in Syria: Concern (8 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: If I may make a suggestion, the witnesses should write directly to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, and enclose their recommendations. Personally, I would be glad if the committee supported the recommendations and communicated directly with the Minister, Deputy Flanagan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Impact of Conflict in Syria: Concern (8 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: I thank Ms O'Mahony and Ms Kennedy for their presentation. The scene they have outlined is very frightening and has worsened considerably since they last attended a meeting of the committee almost one year ago. Until June this year, refugees from Syria who were fleeing from ISIS were being accommodated in Iraq, but that country is now in serious difficulty. The delegates referred to the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (8 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 95. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Cavan-Monaghan drugs unit with proper resourcing will be re-established as the scourge of drugs is a serious issue throughout both counties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38312/14]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Dental Services Provision (8 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 107. To ask the Minister for Health if adequate dental services will be restored for primary school children in the Carrickmacross/Castleblayney areas of County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38311/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (8 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 151. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the expenditure profile for his Department at the end of September 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38309/14]

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]