Results 8,721-8,740 of 18,325 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Unethical Organ Harvesting in China: Discussion (10 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: I thank the witnesses for their contributions, which give a clear picture of the frightening and completely unacceptable practice that exists. In the written contribution there is mention of a proposed human tissue Bill and other legislation in this country. That Bill would require consent for organ sourcing. What practical effect or benefit would that have in dealing with this issue? ...

Other Questions: Illegal Immigrants (10 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: 7. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to amend the Employment Permits Act 2003 to provide recourse for undocumented foreign workers who have little recourse in cases of exploitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33564/13]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: EU Budget (9 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: 144. To ask the Minister for Finance the reason the State's contribution to the EU budget in the first six months of the year, at €931 million, was up from €810 million in 2011; the reason this figure is €67 million higher than expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33395/13]

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Cross-Border Co-operation (9 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: 269. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he has engaged in any talks recently to advance cross-Border trade on this island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30792/13]

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Trade Agreements (9 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: 270. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress made to date in the trade talks between the EU and the USA; if he will outline the potential benefits to Ireland of a successful conclusion to those talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30789/13]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (9 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: 361. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to upgrade Broadband connectivity throughout County Monaghan with particular reference to the need to extend the national broadband scheme to those electoral divisions in the county where such service is not available at present; the likely timescale for the proposed roll-out of this particular scheme to the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Property Taxation Administration (4 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: 80. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will outline the exact financial liability in 2013 for a person who has a second home in relation to property tax liability and non-principal private residence liability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32626/13]

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (3 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: The programme for ODA has a very substantial allocation and is one we all welcome. The percentage, at 0.48% of GDP, is welcome. We would all like to see the economic circumstances allow the figure to be increased to 0.7%. The Minister of State said one of the key outputs to be achieved is deepening Irish public understanding of global development issues and engagement with Irish Aid. At...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (3 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: The UN's failure to secure a resolution on Syria is very disappointing. Are there any indications that the Geneva II talks will take place soon? We have discussed it often at Question Time and here at this committee. The ongoing and escalating conflict in Syria is a terrible indictment of the international community because we all absolutely deplore the terrible suffering and displacement...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (3 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: Will the Tánaiste elaborate on the impact of the peace walls programme? We know in certain communities, especially in Belfast, there are still difficulties, unfortunately. The programme of support for different groups is important and I welcome the investment. We need to get that money disbursed to as many communities as possible, especially in the areas where there are ongoing...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (3 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: I too would like to pay tribute to Passport Office staff. We all trouble them at times, but they are always very helpful. With regard to passports, it was brought to my attention recently, although it may be incorrect, that if a person wants to have his or her passport application prioritised, an additional charge of €150 is made. I do not know whether that is the case, but I had to...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (3 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: It is important that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is the lead Department in respect of the World Trade Organization because of the developing world angle. The issue is important for developing countries and Ireland because of its trade and development implications. Does the Tánaiste envisage the opening of any further missions, embassies or consulates? Are Irish...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (3 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Chair. I congratulate the Tánaiste and all his colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the other Departments and the missions abroad who contributed to a successful EU Presidency. The World Trade Organization budget line has been transferred to the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. Given that the trade function is now assigned to the...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (3 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: We previously discussed the need to complete the World Trade Organization deal. It is important that there is a focus on the potential of the developing world. We need to support a World Trade Organization deal that advances the potential economic interests of countries in the developing world.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325: Discussion (3 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: I join the Chairman in welcoming Ms McManus and her colleagues and thank them for their presentation. In her introductory remarks Ms McManus mentioned the mass rape in Syria. We have had presentations to the committee and elsewhere in the Oireachtas on that. Mass rape as a weapon of war in Syria is frightening, and the situation pertaining there is desperate. With regard to Northern...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325: Discussion (3 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: With regard to the Irish programme, in partner countries and where other donor countries are working is there co-ordination among the different programmes to ensure we are optimising the return, the experience gained and what can be achieved?

Other Questions: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (3 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: 6. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way he can improve the provision of special needs services to post-primary students who require them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32258/13]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (3 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: 68. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the US Immigration Reform Bill; the proposals, if any, he has to support the work of Irish advocacy groups in support of this legislation; his plans for further discussions with members of the US Congress to progress this legislation to a successful conclusion due to its importance for the...

Topical Issue Debate: US Surveillance Activity (2 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I welcome that he put on record the fact that Irish companies provide a significant amount of employment in the US. The employment provided by US companies in our country is also welcome. I am glad the High Representative has raised this matter with the Secretary of State. A timeline should be set for her to revert to each member state of the...

Topical Issue Debate: US Surveillance Activity (2 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: I am pleased the Minister of State is present to respond to the Topical Issue matter I raise. The recent revelations published by a major German magazine showing that the United States engaged in surveillance at European Union offices at key locations is a most disappointing development. The allegation that telephone lines and computer networks of European Union offices in Brussels were...