Results 8,201-8,220 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (3 Jul 2014)

Brendan Smith: 38. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline in tabular form the budget of Irish development aid as a percentage of GNP in the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28899/14]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Relations Between Ireland and Great Britain: Ambassador of Ireland to Great Britain (2 Jul 2014)

Brendan Smith: The role of the GAA in Britain is very important for our young emigrants. We have spoken about the societies that do excellent work for older age cohorts, which is important, and reference was made to facilitating people who wish to return to Ireland. In my county of Cavan we did work some years ago making housing available for people who wished to relocate. It is not straightforward and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Relations Between Ireland and Great Britain: Ambassador of Ireland to Great Britain (2 Jul 2014)

Brendan Smith: I compliment Ambassador Mulhall on his presentation today and his work over the years in different postings. Most of us will recall that the former President, Mary McAleese, had as the theme of her first presidential campaign the notion of building bridges. While we understood that as being about North-South co-operation, we were all delighted to see it being expanded to include the...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (2 Jul 2014)

Brendan Smith: 9. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the EU’s engagement in the Iraqi crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28223/14]

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (2 Jul 2014)

Brendan Smith: Yesterday marked another very difficult day in Iraq when Sunnis and Kurds walked out of the first session of the Iraqi Parliament, which impeded the formation of a new government. I understand that following a recess there were not enough lawmakers present in the parliament to form a quorum and there has been charge and counter-charge. Is it likely that High Representative Ashton, on behalf...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (2 Jul 2014)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I welcome also the announcement in recent days by the Minister of State, Deputy Costello, of humanitarian assistance, which is badly needed. I hope the European Union can provide additional assistance, as well as the Government. It is frightening that the United Nations announced that June had been the deadliest month in Iraq for many years....

Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (2 Jul 2014)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. I hope resolution of the nuclear issue can be advanced in the context of the Vienna talks. I am sure the new Iranian ambassador to this country has spoken to all political parties. He is very anxious that we move on and give added impetus to the diplomatic and the trade relations between both countries. I understand the Ceann Comhairle has an...

Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (2 Jul 2014)

Brendan Smith: From High Representative Ashton's presentations to the Foreign Affairs Council, is there any belief that conditions are improving in Iran and that it is making the effort to enable the European Union to reduce sanctions and to improve the trading relationship between both blocs and obviously deal with other issues as well as trade?

Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (2 Jul 2014)

Brendan Smith: 7. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider re-opening the Irish embassy in Iran; if he will provide a breakdown in tabular form by year of the savings made by the decision to close the Iranian embassy; if he still supports EU sanctions against Iran; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28224/14]

Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (2 Jul 2014)

Brendan Smith: When the Tánaiste announced the opening of some consulates in January, there was an expectation that the embassy in Tehran would be re-opened. It is an important trading partner. I think the trade is worth €51.5 million on an annual basis. I know that on a successful visit by some members of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade to Iran, they got a very clear...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (2 Jul 2014)

Brendan Smith: 4. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on immigration reform law following his recent visit to Washington D.C.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28366/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (2 Jul 2014)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the Tánaiste's personal interest in and continued commitment to this important issue, along with that of his officials. We have discussed the serious difficulties facing approximately 50,000 Irish people, commonly referred to as the undocumented, on numerous occasions in the House. These people need to have their status regularised as quickly as possible. Their current...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (2 Jul 2014)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. The fact that business and church leaders and other people of influence within society who may not have been strong advocates for immigration reform legislation previously are taking a leading role at the moment is heartening. Perhaps we should take the opportunity to compliment the many representative organisations and advocacy groups which we have...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (2 Jul 2014)

Brendan Smith: My understanding is that the immigrant-rich cities are very much in favour of the legislation, whereas the parts of the United States that have had little immigration over the years are where the greatest opposition is articulated. It is very important for the families and individuals who contact us from the United States and their representative organisations that we continue to give them a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (2 Jul 2014)

Brendan Smith: 1. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when all-party talks will recommence on the Haass proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28365/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (2 Jul 2014)

Brendan Smith: I hope that the all-party talks will resume in Stormont today. As we know, a number of deadlines in regard to a successful conclusion to the Haass talks have been missed. The end of December, St. Patrick's week, Easter and the local and European elections, which are all important dates in the political calendar, have passed and, unfortunately, no progress has been made. As I have said here...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (2 Jul 2014)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Tánaiste for his reply and I record again our appreciation of the work of Ambassador Haass and Dr. O'Sullivan up to the end of December. Will the Tánaiste agree that the Downing Street Declaration of 1993, the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 and the St. Andrews Agreement of 2010 were achieved between the two sovereign Governments and the parties working together but, very...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (2 Jul 2014)

Brendan Smith: I note the Tánaiste's comment that the Government wants to be involved as closely as possible. We want to see a conclusion as rapidly as possible. We are into the marching season again. There are conflicting reports from different parts of the North of Ireland in regard to trouble in some places and relative calm in other areas that have seen difficulties in the past. We hope that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (2 Jul 2014)

Brendan Smith: 13. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions, if any, he has had with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State or with members of the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to outstanding aspects of the Good Friday Agreement which need to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28227/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Egyptian Conflict (2 Jul 2014)

Brendan Smith: 19. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the contact he has had with the Egyptian authorities to protest at the seven-year jail terms handed down in the case of the three Al-Jazeera journalists recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28225/14]