Results 8,361-8,380 of 18,450 for speaker:Brendan Smith

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...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (3 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I want to reiterate my commendation of the work of the SDLP, the Alliance Party and the Sinn Féin Party prior to the end of the year in making a genuine effort to reach agreement. It is most regrettable that the UUP has now withdrawn from those five-party talks. I believe that more urgency needs to be attached to this. If we have it in the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (3 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 1. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update regarding the actions he has taken to progress the completion of the Haass talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15505/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (3 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: It is most disappointing that there has not been a successful conclusion to the Haass talks, which concern issues of the utmost importance to the people of Northern Ireland and of all of this island. We need a satisfactory means of dealing with the contentious issues of parades, flags and contending with the past. Time is not on our side to reach a successful conclusion. The lack of a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (3 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. I welcome the particular phraseology he used towards the end of his contribution when he said there is an expectation of delivery. We hope that can be achieved. My one concern, which I have reiterated in this House on numerous occasions, is that there does not seem to be the urgency attached to these talks that there needs to be. We missed the end of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (3 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 13. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions he has taken alongside his EU counterparts regarding the deteriorating situation in Egypt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15383/14]

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

Brendan Smith: 16. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is concerned at the recent outbreak of the Ebola virus in Guinea; if Irish Aid has any plans to support a response to this outbreak; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15250/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: US Immigration Reform (3 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 20. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress made on the possibility of immigration reform legislation being passed by the United States Congress following the St. Patrick's week discussions between the Irish Government and the US Administration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15251/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Relations (3 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 25. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has conducted an audit of Irish exporting companies that could be affected as a result of possible sanctions being placed by Russia on EU goods and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15249/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Scottish Referendum (3 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 30. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has examined the policy implications for Ireland of a "Yes" vote in the Scottish independence referendum; if he will support Scotland's application for membership of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15253/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (3 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 55. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding a person now in their 60s who was informally adopted during the early months of their life, cared for and raised by an aunt and her husband who have now died and left the family home-estate to them; the way problems which are now arising in relation to probate and taxation can be rectified (details supplied); and if he will make a...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water and Sewerage Schemes Funding (3 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 156. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the provision being made to continue the necessary subvention payments to group water schemes to meet ongoing costs following the establishment of Irish Water; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15878/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (2 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 60. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the Irish position regarding the independence campaign of the Lunda Tchokwe nation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15468/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (2 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 61. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is concerned by the human rights abuses taking place in Lunda Tchokwe; if he has raised these concerns at an EU level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15469/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (2 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 62. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised at the Foreign Affairs Council of Ministers the need for the European Union to give maximum support to the settlement negotiations that are under way with the aim of the reunification of Cyprus following the 11 February joint declaration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15605/14]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions (2 Apr 2014)

Brendan Smith: 112. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a public servant who has reached the age of 50 years is eligible to retire on a full pension even though they are a few months short of a full 30 years service; if it is possible for the public servant to purchase the outstanding service incentivised retirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15455/14]