Results 8,421-8,440 of 18,325 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: I welcome Mr. Dorr's presentation. He stated that most books on international relations were written from the viewpoint of larger states. Many of our higher education colleges and universities provide courses in international relations. Professor Tonra will address the committee later. Is Mr. Dorr familiar with the courses provided in our universities? Are they framed from a similar...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (15 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: I would like to give way to Senator Jim Walsh as he must return to the Seanad.

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (15 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: 12. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the ongoing efforts of the United States Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, in the Middle East peace process will be discussed at the next EU Foreign Affairs Council; if he has had any direct contact with either the Israeli or Palestinian authorities or with the Secretary of State; and if he will make a statement on...

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (15 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: At the beginning of this year the United States Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, held talks with Israeli and Palestinian representatives in an effort to secure a framework for a final Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement. Six months since the talks overseen by Mr. Kerry began, it is hoped that he will be able, within weeks, to present a framework agreement, after which the finer details...

Other Questions: Middle East Peace Process (15 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. It is very disappointing that Israel last week announced plans to build 1,400 new homes in Jewish settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem. Indeed, if I recall correctly, it was a dispute over settlement construction that put an end to the last peace talks. I welcome Commissioner Catherine Ashton's statement calling on Israel to halt all...

Other Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (15 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. We have been kept updated on the efforts being made at embassy level and on the constant lobbying of Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives. We have discussed in this House the very difficult position facing many families and individuals, people whose position is not regularised in the United States and who have been unable to come...

Other Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (15 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: 8. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the most recent discussions he has had with the US Administration and Members of the US Congress in order to progress the Immigration Reform Bill in view of the difficult position facing many undocumented Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1479/14]

Other Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (15 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: The difficulties facing the undocumented Irish have been aired often in this House through questions and at committee level. Will the Tánaiste ensure that every effort is made at political and official levels to keep pressure on the Members of Congress in the United States to ensure that 2014 will be the year of immigration reform?

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (15 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: I welcome that the Government has provided substantial aid and I hope it will be possible to continue that assistance. I urge the Tánaiste to ensure every opportunity is taken, at both official and political levels, to highlight the terrible situation facing so many people. I recall reading that more than 1 million people have had to leave their homes. An official of the UN Office for...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (15 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: 81. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the assistance provided to date by Irish Aid to the Central African Republic; the proposals he has to provide further humanitarian assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1638/14]

Other Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (15 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: 6. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he discussed recently with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State the serious issues relating to collusion outlined in the publication, Lethal Allies: British Collusion in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1480/14]

Other Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (15 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: I welcome Ms Anne Cadwallader's publication. Reading it was chilling. She recounted the stories of 120 people murdered by loyalist gangs, some of which had been armed from UDR depots. All bar one of those 120 people were not involved in violence. Just one was linked to the IRA. The rest were citizens going about their daily work. Some were active members of the SDLP or the GAA. That...

Other Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (15 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the fact that the Tánaiste raised in the Haass talks the issue of collusion. Ms Cadwallader's book raises a series of questions about the past that have a strong bearing on those talks. Murder is murder and no one would condone the murder of any person, regardless of his or her political beliefs or religion. Some years ago, a unanimous motion in the House called on the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (15 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: I welcome every comment the Minister has made in regard to this humanitarian disaster. As he rightly stated, we have been one of the better donors. I read an Amnesty International report that described Europe's response in regard to providing for refugees as "pitiful". Perhaps this is an issue that could be pursued at the EU Foreign Affairs Council. Will the Tánaiste assure the House...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (15 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. I welcome the commitment of €12 million in aid for 2014. Will the Minister ensure this issue is on the agenda of every meeting of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council? It is the humanitarian issue of our generation. A total of 130,000 people have died in this conflict and approximately 2.3 million are displaced or are refugees in adjoining...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (15 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: 4. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the current number of Irish persons in Syria; if he will provide an update on Irish Aid’s provision of humanitarian assistance to that country and adjoining regions; if he has raised at the EU Foreign Affairs Council the need to have an urgent and effective response to assist in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (15 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: This crisis in Syria has continued for almost three years. I welcome that the Government has provided substantial overseas development in recent years. It is very disappointing to hear today that in the pledging conference that is taking place only one fifth of what is needed has been pledged to date.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (15 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: There has never been a breakthrough in Northern Ireland without the direct hands-on involvement of the two sovereign Governments. We note the huge contribution the SDLP has made to the progress that has been achieved over the years. That party's leader, Alasdair McDonnell, said in the British House of Commons this day last week that "the Secretary of State will recall that when the Haass...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (15 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Tánaiste for his detailed reply. He outlined the substantial progress that has been made. I take this opportunity to compliment the SDLP and Sinn Féin parties for their positive approach to the negotiations. Unfortunately, the two Unionist parties have rejected the proposals put forward by Ambassador Dr. Haass and Dr. O'Sullivan. It is hoped that the proposed talks...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (15 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: 1. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the next steps to be taken to secure agreement among the panel of parties in the Northern Ireland Executive on the Haass proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1505/14]