Results 8,301-8,320 of 18,459 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Role and Functions of Christian Aid Ireland (7 May 2014)

Brendan Smith: I apologise for missing the first few minutes of the meeting, but I was delayed at an earlier meeting. I thank Ms Balfe sincerely for her clear contribution. She paints a grim and clear picture of the difficulties facing Angola, particularly the needless suffering due to the state's failure to deal with inequality. She mentioned in her contribution that a one-day conference had been...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (7 May 2014)

Brendan Smith: 30. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has been in contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland following her decision to reject the request of the families of 11 persons who were murdered in the Ballymurphy massacre for the establishment of a review panel to assess the evidence relating to the massacre. [20571/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Firearms Licences (7 May 2014)

Brendan Smith: 159. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the issues raised by the National Association of Regional Game Councils in relation to the licensing of firearms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20590/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (7 May 2014)

Brendan Smith: 158. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí in each Garda division in Cavan-Monaghan in 2009 to 2013, inclusive, and 2014; his proposals to increase the number of gardaí stationed in Cavan-Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20569/14]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Personnel (7 May 2014)

Brendan Smith: 162. To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding the request by PDFORRA for a further review of the 21 year limit on contracts for members of the Permanent Defence Force; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this particular requirement will cause serious difficulties for many serving members who have mortgage and family commitments and who have the necessary skills and...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances Applications (7 May 2014)

Brendan Smith: 208. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that funding will be provided in respect of an application (details supplied) in County Cavan which has been approved for some time; if this request will be given urgent consideration as the person needs this particular medical appliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20593/14]

Topical Issue Debate: Accident and Emergency Services Provision (1 May 2014)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. He rightly states that he officially opened the relocated medical assessment unit some weeks ago and the unit in its original location has been extremely successful. Similarly, the paediatric assessment unit eases the pressures on the ED. Between 2000 and 2011, Cavan General Hospital received major capital investment, which has resulted in new...

Topical Issue Debate: Accident and Emergency Services Provision (1 May 2014)

Brendan Smith: I appreciate the Ceann Comhairle giving me the opportunity to raise this issue. I am also appreciative of the Minister's attendance to deal with it. A new accident and emergency department is needed at Cavan General Hospital. I understand HSE officials have assessed the department's facilities and that they have been deemed inadequate, lacking the appropriate accommodation for the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (1 May 2014)

Brendan Smith: 33. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the European Union membership applications submitted by Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Turkey and Iceland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19859/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (1 May 2014)

Brendan Smith: 34. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals he put forward at the recent EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in relation to sanctions to be imposed at EU level on Russia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19901/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (1 May 2014)

Brendan Smith: 35. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the recent initiatives he has taken or proposes to take in relation to the urgent need to reach agreement on the proposals outlined by Ambassador Haass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19908/14]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (1 May 2014)

Brendan Smith: 110. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the totally inadequate broadband connectivity service available in areas (details supplied) in County Cavan; when the telecommunications infrastructure in this area will be upgraded to provide adequate service for both households and business; and if he will make a statement on the...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding (1 May 2014)

Brendan Smith: 126. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the arrangements that have been made, following the establishment of Irish Water, to continue the subvention to local authorities in respect of the ongoing costs of running group water schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19878/14]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Exports (1 May 2014)

Brendan Smith: 161. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date on which China imposed a ban on beef imports from the European Union; if this ban is still applicable to all member states of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19872/14]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Exports (1 May 2014)

Brendan Smith: 162. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the ongoing efforts to have the ban on imports of Irish beef to China lifted; the recent discussions that have been held at political or official level; the likely timescale for the lifting of this ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19873/14]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (30 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 437. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the widespread concerns of local residents and business operators in areas (details supplied) of County Monaghan regarding the totally inadequate level of broadband connectivity; his proposals to upgrade this much-needed service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19654/14]

White Paper on Universal Health Insurance: Statements (Resumed) (17 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: I am not suggesting that. I suggest that at times people are concerned about a change in the particular drug they take. The 2010 Dutch Health Care Performance Report discusses the fact that insurance companies mainly compete to limit the cost of health care services, with quality of care being of limited influence. This is a worrying feature of an insurance company-dominated health...

White Paper on Universal Health Insurance: Statements (Resumed) (17 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: We are discussing the Minister's White Paper, and from some commentary it appears to be the Minister's White Paper rather than the Government's White Paper.

White Paper on Universal Health Insurance: Statements (Resumed) (17 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: That is not true. We are discussing the Minister's White Paper. Why, in his fourth year in office, could he not provide costings based on 2014 prices and tax rates? It is very clear from the contents of the White Paper the practicalities of universal health insurance have yet to be clearly established. It is clear the Government does not know the balance of funding for universal health...

White Paper on Universal Health Insurance: Statements (Resumed) (17 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: There were serious difficulties in many areas-----