Results 7,981-8,000 of 18,459 for speaker:Brendan Smith

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]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 90. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the Government strategy to meet its programme for Government commitment of increasing the overseas development aid budget to 0.7% of GNP by 2015; if he will outline any investigation into the misuse of ODA funds this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37718/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 104. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals he put forward at EU Foreign Affairs Council meetings in relation to the actions Europe needs to take to deal with ISIS in view of the huge loss of life and the persecution of minorities inflicted by extremist militants; the number of Iraqi families who have been resettled here who have had to flee Islamic State jihadists;...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Data Protection (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 114. To ask the Taoiseach if he has considered the way the Minister of State with special responsibility for European affairs and data protection at his Department will exercise his very specific responsibility for data protection issues in view of the fact that the Minister of State with special responsibility for European affairs and data protection has not been assigned as a Minister of...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Data Protection (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 116. To ask the Taoiseach if the Minister of State with special responsibility for European affairs and data protection at his Department will exercise responsibility for data protection in view of the fact that he has not been assigned as a Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality, which is the Department responsible for data protection legislation; if he proposes to...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Rent Supplement Scheme Administration (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 136. To ask the Minister for Social Protection to outline her views on the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding rent supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38113/14]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications (7 Oct 2014)

Brendan Smith: 381. To ask the Minister for Health if funding will be approved for long-term nursing home care under the fair deal scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cavan in view of the fact that this applicant is on the national waiting list for nursing home support funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38156/14]