Results 8,561-8,580 of 18,496 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Bodies Mergers (28 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: 326. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will outline the up-to-date position regarding the proposal to merge Coillte and Bord na Móna; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4290/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Expenditure (28 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: 560. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the financial allocation to County Cavan under the Social Housing Investment Programme for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4287/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing Expenditure (28 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: 561. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the financial allocation to County Monaghan under the Social Housing Investment Programme for 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4288/14]

Topical Issue Debate: Foreign Conflicts (23 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State for his detailed reply. He is obviously very well informed after his visit to the area and seeing at first hand what was happening on the streets of the Ukrainian capital. The mass demonstrations and protests began more than two months ago and directly resulted from the postponement by the President of an historic EU deal. Instead he opted for closer ties with...

Topical Issue Debate: Foreign Conflicts (23 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: As a spokesperson on foreign affairs for an Opposition party, I take this opportunity strongly condemn the latest developments in Ukraine. President Yanukovych continues to abuse power against his people. The introduction of laws to prohibit any kind of demonstration against the government has directly deprived Ukrainians of their most basic civil rights. These provisions have resulted in...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (23 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: 79. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the proposed building project for a school (details supplied); the current stage of this project; when the project is likely to proceed to the next stage; the likely timescale for construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3359/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (23 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: 80. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the proposed building project for a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; the current stage of this project; when the project is likely to proceed to the next stage; the likely timescale for construction; if this project will be progressed as quickly as possible in view of the increased enrolments over recent years...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Book Rental Scheme (23 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: 81. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the eligibility requirements for the book rental scheme with particular reference to the exclusion of schools that had already established their own schemes; if he will take into account the circumstances pertaining to a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3361/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Book Rental Scheme (23 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: 82. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number and the names of schools in County Cavan that will be grant aided under the new book rental scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3362/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Book Rental Scheme (23 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: 83. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number and the names of schools in County Monaghan that will be grant aided under the new book rental scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3363/14]

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: Everyone cannot pack inside the Pale and get newspapers delivered every morning.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: The city of culture.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: I welcome this programme, its continued success and everybody who contributed to it, the people and NGOs who are out in the field working in very difficult circumstances. Could the Minister of State and the Tánaiste elaborate on Syria, particularly on the humanitarian pledging conference that took place recently? The early indications were that the pledging was not up to the level...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: Is our contribution to international organisations based on our GNP at a particular time or do we have any input into determining the amount we pay to international organisations? When we are talking about international organisations, it would be remiss of us if we did not mention the desperate humanitarian situation, loss of life, murder and mayhem in Syria. Perhaps it is a matter we can...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: Why is there a substantial increase in subhead A.2 for non-pay for administration? Is it possible to divert more moneys to particular initiatives to assist North-South co-operation? We all have been in community and resource centres and facilities in Belfast and elsewhere which have been funded by the taxpayer. It is most unfortunate agreement has not been secured on the Haass proposals....

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: I support Deputy Durkan's call for not placing a prohibitive cost on issuing a passport at very short notice. I came across a case last year where a young man was offered an interview abroad at very short notice. He had applied for his passport and it was due to be issued on the day he needed to travel. He contacted the Passport Office but was quoted an exorbitant fee - I cannot recall the...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: The Tánaiste mentioned that the Vatican embassy would have one mid-ranking diplomat. What number of support staff is likely to be allocated?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: Of the 631,000 passports issued last year, what proportion were issued abroad, for example, in Britain or the United States? The honorary consul service which is under review is extremely important and a service we all underestimate. Does the Tánaiste envisage that the review will advocate a substantial extension of the consulate service, in particular, throughout the United States?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Tánaiste for his introductory remarks. I welcome the Government announcement yesterday on the expansion of the Irish diplomatic network, which is very important in terms of the locations that got either a new embassy or a new consulate. With regard to trade promotion, is it only Enterprise Ireland trade missions that work in association with the Department? Is there a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Review of Foreign Affairs Policy and External Relations: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: I welcome Mr. Butler's presentation and the detailed paper. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to go through his paper in detail but I look forward to reading it later today. I have several comments. How does Mr. Butler see the European External Action Service developing? Does he see it impacting on our foreign policy in the future? It has not been a great success to date but...