Results 8,721-8,740 of 18,450 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: EU Programmes (17 Oct 2013)

Brendan Smith: 97. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding the PEACE IV programme, the total funding to be allocated to this programme both North and South, the likely timescale for commencement of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44055/13]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Free Travel Scheme Eligibility (17 Oct 2013)

Brendan Smith: 116. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the entitlement to avail of the free travel scheme for civil servants who retired early on health grounds who are on Civil Service pension only and who would be in receipt of invalidity pension but for the fact that they are civil servants; if she will outline such an individual's current entitlement to the free travel scheme; if she proposes to...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Jobseeker's Allowance Eligibility (17 Oct 2013)

Brendan Smith: 117. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify the issue of entitlement or qualification on means testing basis to jobseeker's allowance for the self-employed persons; if she will clarify if some system equivalent to family income supplement may be devised; if part-payment of allowance may be given while they are still earning up to the means testing limit; if her...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Citizenship Applications (17 Oct 2013)

Brendan Smith: 153. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will clarify the issue of the types and costs of the various Irish nationality certificates awarded; if the costs vary depending on whether the client is an EU citizen, other than EU national, an asylum grantee and so on; if cost to client in each case can be outlined; if cost in all cases is fully borne by the applicant and specifically...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Alcohol Pricing (17 Oct 2013)

Brendan Smith: 192. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to ban below cost selling of alcohol; if legislation is required or if an order will be made to that effect under current legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44036/13]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict: Discussion with Minister of State at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (16 Oct 2013)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the Minister of State's detailed report on his visit to the Middle East. It was an important visit. I welcome the fact that he and the Tánaiste continue to highlight the terrible humanitarian disaster in Syria and adjoining regions. I welcome also the fact that Ireland continues its support in a very positive manner through overseas development assistance to ease some of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict: Discussion with Minister of State at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (16 Oct 2013)

Brendan Smith: It is not mine. If the Minister of State has not been apprised of the report perhaps he would report back to us through correspondence or whatever. Perhaps he would let us know if the EU or other donor states are raising these issues in regard to the hindrance of progress. On the issue of the banning of settlement products, is Ireland taking any particular steps on banning such products...

Topical Issue Debate: Northern Ireland Issues (10 Oct 2013)

Brendan Smith: I share the Minister of State's revulsion and the comments he made on behalf of the Tánaiste in regard to these desperate murders. I happened to be in my office at 1 o'clock today and I listened to Tommy Gorman report from Northern Ireland. I did not think we would be back to the days when we would have to listen to a report about two murders linked to the activity of those terror...

Topical Issue Debate: Northern Ireland Issues (10 Oct 2013)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this important issue. The latest claim of responsibility by so-called dissident republicans for the murder of a man found in north Belfast yesterday is a dark reminder of the grave threats that unfortunately still hang over Northern Ireland. I am very loath to use the description "dissidents" to identify the criminals involved or...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (10 Oct 2013)

Brendan Smith: 81. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will give detailed consideration to the motion passed by a local authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42916/13]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Free Travel Scheme Review (10 Oct 2013)

Brendan Smith: 115. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if an interdepartmental working group was established to carry out a review of the operation of the current free travel scheme; if this group has completed its work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42919/13]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Meat Processing Plant Licences (10 Oct 2013)

Brendan Smith: 176. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an application will be finalised in respect of a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42920/13]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Impact of Conflict in Syria: Discussion. (9 Oct 2013)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the guests and, through them as representatives of their organisations, I compliment the staff and colleagues working in difficult circumstances. The witnesses' contributions have outlined the serious and frightening humanitarian disaster in Syria and the adjoining regions. Mr. Ros O'Sullivan mentioned that we want to get away from the emphasis on chemical weapons and the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Regulations (9 Oct 2013)

Brendan Smith: 41. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if progress is being made on ensuring that public service procurement contracts are secured by Irish firms in a manner that is within EU guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42505/13]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Enrolments (8 Oct 2013)

Brendan Smith: 85. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to regulate the admission of children to primary and post-primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42255/13]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with the Irish Farmers Association (2 Oct 2013)

Brendan Smith: My question relates to the fact that Great Britain is our largest trading partner and our neighbour. In the IFA's discussions with its sister organisations in Britain, has it encountered any nervousness in regard to a possible referendum on British membership of the European Union? We can lay the best of plans for trade and exports but we depend on exchange rate stability. Sterling...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with the Irish Farmers Association (2 Oct 2013)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Chairman and join him in welcoming the IFA president and his colleagues to the meeting. I compliment Mr. Bryan on his positive and wide-ranging contribution on the importance of the agrifood industry to our economy overall. In his concluding comments the IFA president remarked that Europe demands very high standards. We have those standards in this country and that is the...

Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation Issues (2 Oct 2013)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. This is clearly a very trying and difficult time for the Halawa family and all of us in the House would commiserate with them on the very difficult position of the four siblings. It is totally unacceptable that expected access during the time in which these people faced the prosecutor was denied to the Department's consular officials. Is it...

Other Questions: Humanitarian Aid (2 Oct 2013)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. I welcome the fact that Ireland has provided almost €11 million in aid. Is the Minister of State satisfied that such humanitarian aid is getting to the most distressed and needy because we are aware earlier this year of the Assad regime placing obstacles in the way of aid being provided to those he termed to be in the opposition groups? I take...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Issues (2 Oct 2013)

Brendan Smith: 4. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the engagement he has had to date with the Haass talks about flags, parades and legacy issues arising from the Troubles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41480/13]