Results 8,221-8,240 of 18,325 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Slaughtering Standards (17 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 223. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals to assist farmers who wish to dispose of horses in view of the poor market returns for such animals at present; if he proposes to introduce a scheme for the depopulation of horses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18509/14]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Syria: Dr. Thomas Pierret (16 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: I welcome Dr. Pierret and thank him for his contribution. He has outlined a picture that is remarkably difficult, complex and horrendous for Syria and the neighbouring regions. I understand there have been more than 140,000 fatalities, over 9 million people within Syria are in need of immediate life-saving support and 2.6 million Syrian refugees require assistance in neighbouring countries....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (15 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 149. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he raised at the most recent meeting of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council the ongoing serious conflict and loss of life in Syria and the need to provide additional humanitarian aid for Syria and adjoining countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18065/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (15 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 150. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he raised at the most recent meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council the concerns and warnings of the UN's Chief Special Adviser on genocide prevention in relation to the high risk of genocide in the Central African Republic; if these issues have been raised by the European Union with the United Nations or other...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Carbon Tax Implementation (15 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 210. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will give urgent consideration to the issues raised in correspondence in relation to carbon tax on solid fuel products (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the serious concerns in this sector, particularly in the Border area as trade has been severely affected over the past year, taking in to account that there is no carbon tax on...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (15 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 274. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will list the primary schools in counties Cavan and Monaghan that will be affected by changes in the pupil teacher ratio with effect from September 2014; the impact in relation to the staffing complement such changes will have on each of the schools concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18057/14]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (15 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 389. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the proposals to improve broadband telecommunications coverage in an area (details supplied) in County Cavan in view of the ongoing concerns of local residents and businesses in regard to the poor availability of broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17623/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Local Authority Housing (15 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 424. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding an application submitted by Monaghan County Council in respect of a housing project (details supplied) in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17709/14]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pigmeat Sector (15 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 526. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there have been any further developments regarding the ban by Russia on all imports of pig meat from the EU; if he raised this issue at the most recent meeting of the European Union Council of Agriculture Ministers; if he has had any direct contact with the Russian authorities regarding the need to lift this ban; and if he will...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child Care Services Funding (15 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 558. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to provide capital funding for community and not for profit child care services which have not availed of grant assistance to date; the timescale for the introduction of such a scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18068/14]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (10 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 220. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his proposals to reduce the costs for persons who have to upgrade their driving licence and renew same more frequently due to recent changes in regulations; who in many instances are one-person business operations with small delivery trucks and so on and who need to undertake a theory test and 12 driving lessons and achieve a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Ukraine: Former UN Co-ordinator in Ukraine (9 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: I welcome Mr. O'Donnell's detailed and clear presentation. I also welcome his endorsement of the Dáil motion which I supported strongly last week. It is unfortunate that we are back in a certain era. We have returned to Cold War politics. In January and February, on behalf of the Fianna Fáil party, I took the opportunity in the Dáil, during special debates, to criticise the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Retirements (9 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 126. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if a Garda, who has reached the age of 50 years, is eligible to retire on a full pension even though they do not have full 30 years service, some nine months short of 30 years, by purchasing out the outstanding service or if there is any other option available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16833/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Missing Persons (8 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 70. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if further contact will be made with the French authorities in relation to a missing Irish person in France (details supplied); if this request will be given urgent consideration in view of the concerns of the family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16610/14]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Funding (8 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 733. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if specific funding has been allocated to Cavan County Council in respect of a project (details supplied); the level of funding provided for 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16648/14]

Current Crisis in Ukraine: Motion (3 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: I join you, a Cheann Comhairle, and the Minister of State in welcoming the Ukrainian ambassador. In the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade we had the opportunity to engage with the ambassador on these very important issues. I very much welcome your initiative, a Cheann Comhairle, in suggesting a common motion on the crisis developing in Ukraine and we welcome that the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (3 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 4. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on Ireland’s position regarding the escalating crisis in Ukraine; if he has held discussions with the Ukrainian or Russian ambassador on this topic; if he is satisfied with the actions being taken at an European Union level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15506/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (3 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: Russia's seizure and annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region has caused the deepest crisis in East-West relations since the Cold War, thereby leading the United States and the European Union to impose sanctions on Moscow. They have stated they will strengthen these sanctions if Russia moves beyond Crimea into eastern Ukraine. The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, of which I am a member, had...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (3 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I have stated in this House previously, as has my party leader, Deputy Martin, that Fianna Fáil fully supports the Government's position in condemning the illegal actions by Russia. We believe the decision by the European Council to extend the list of persons subject to sanctions was a reasonable reaction. It is welcome that at least, the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (3 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State. One of the most recent comments I have heard in this regard was that approximately 40,000 Russian soldiers were deployed on the Ukrainian border, which could pose a particular threat to southern and eastern Ukraine. Further Russian intervention would be a historic mistake. We hope these difficult but important issues can be resolved without the need for...