Results 8,561-8,580 of 18,450 for speaker:Brendan Smith

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]

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

Brendan Smith: This is a very important issue and I compliment Ambassador Richard Haass and Dr. Meghan O'Sullivan on their work with the five parties in Northern Ireland. It is extremely regrettable that the two Unionist parties have not agreed to the proposals put forward. I am of the view that those proposals are good and important and can be built upon. I hope the Tánaiste will be in a position...

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

Brendan Smith: 80. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the assistance provided by Irish Aid to South Sudan; the proposals there are to provide additional humanitarian assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1637/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (15 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: 17. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will confirm that in applying the most recent reduction to Ireland’s overseas aid budget he will ensure that those programmes that are most directly linked to real and lasting changes for poor people are exempt from those cuts; if he will reaffirm his commitment to the 0.7% of GNP target for oversees...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (15 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: 71. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to establish new diplomatic missions and expand the diplomatic network; if he is considering re-opening the Vatican Embassy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1487/14]

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

Brendan Smith: 82. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the assistance provided by Irish Aid to date to the Philippines following the typhoon; the proposals there are to provide further humanitarian assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1639/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Membership (15 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: 83. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of countries that propose to apply for full membership of the European Union that have attained candidate status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1640/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Membership (15 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: 84. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current status of the application by Turkey for full membership of the European Union; if he has had recent discussions with members of the Turkish Government or with other Members of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in relation to this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1641/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Leader Programmes Funding (15 Jan 2014)

Brendan Smith: 524. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the proposals he has to provide further funding to the Cavan Monaghan Leader programme following the reduction in May 2013 of the original allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1642/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (19 Dec 2013)

Brendan Smith: 66. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had recent discussions with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State and Members of the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to the Irish Language Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54987/13]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Good Friday Agreement (19 Dec 2013)

Brendan Smith: 67. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had recent discussions with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State and Members of the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to the proposal to establish a civic forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54988/13]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Council Meetings (19 Dec 2013)

Brendan Smith: 68. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the issues discussed at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting of 16 December 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54991/13]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements (19 Dec 2013)

Brendan Smith: 69. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress made in relation to the proposed trade agreement between the European Union and the Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54992/13]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (19 Dec 2013)

Brendan Smith: 71. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will confirm the cut to Ireland’s overseas aid budget for 2014; the criteria that he will use to determine which part of the programme he will cut; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55021/13]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (19 Dec 2013)

Brendan Smith: 72. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will confirm that, in applying the most recent cuts to Ireland’s overseas aid budget, he will ensure that those programmes that are most directly linked to real and lasting changes for poor people are exempt from those cuts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55022/13]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (19 Dec 2013)

Brendan Smith: 133. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the up-to-date position regarding the proposed building project for a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; the present 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...