Results 8,861-8,880 of 18,451 for speaker:Brendan Smith

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...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Personal Insolvency Practitioners (2 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: 80. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will reconsider his decision to apply VAT to personal insolvency services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31927/13]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Bank Stress Tests (2 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: 131. To ask the Minister for Finance the reason bank stress tests will not take place prior to the planned end of Ireland's EU/IMF programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31926/13]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Application Numbers (2 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: 168. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a country by country per annum breakdown of Irish passports given out by embassies over the past ten years; the fees collected per annum; number of passports issued domestically over the past ten years and fees collected; number of emergency passports issued domestically over that period; and if he...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Building Projects Status (2 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: 328. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the proposed building project for a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; the present stage of this project, when it is proposed that the project will move to the next stage; the likely timescale for construction to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31837/13]

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Broadband Services Provision (2 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: 481. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will outline the proposals, if any, there are to upgrade broadband connectivity throughout County Cavan 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...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Accommodation Provision (2 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: 555. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm that there will be no change to the status of Clones District Court, County Monaghan, as the court building has modern facilities and the court services a large part of County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31582/13]

Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (1 Jul 2013)

Brendan Smith: The issues before us in this legislation are complex and sensitive. For more than 30 years there has been much debate on all aspects of these issues. Unfortunately, at times, a small number of those on both sides the argument have engaged in a debate that was neither rational nor fair. What I have heard of the debate on this legislation thus far has been, as is appropriate, respectful and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Impact of Religious Sectarianism, Trauma of Conflict and using the Good Friday Agreement as a Template for International Relations Negotiations: Discussion (27 Jun 2013)

Brendan Smith: I welcome Reverend Dr. Mason and Professor McBride and thank them for their stimulating presentations. They contained much food for thought regarding the particular challenges for society. Professor McBride's concluding comments refer to the transgenerational trauma. All of what both witnesses said is a cause for concern. Issues must be addressed in a very meaningful way. Time is not on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (27 Jun 2013)

Brendan Smith: 80. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the most recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with Members of the Northern Executive in relation to the proposed Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31291/13]

Special Educational Needs: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (26 Jun 2013)

Brendan Smith: I am pleased to have the opportunity to make a short contribution on this important Private Members' motion tabled by our party spokesperson, Deputy McConalogue. The motion has two particular elements, namely, the adequacy of resource teacher provision and the need for adequate provision of special needs assistants for students who need such vital ongoing support. This Fianna Fáil...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Affairs Council and Development Aid: Discussion with Minister of State (26 Jun 2013)

Brendan Smith: I apologise for missing the earlier part of the Minister of State's presentation. In the aftermath of the fraud discovered in Uganda, senior officials from the Department and the director of Irish Aid gave a full presentation to this committee on the progress that had been made in that country. At a time when every household in Ireland is facing challenges it is difficult for the Government...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (26 Jun 2013)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State for his reply. With regard to the forthcoming elections, I read some time ago that the security situation, particularly in northern Mali, remained very unstable. Is the Minister of State confident that enough stability has been achieved to ensure free and fair elections? As we know, French forces intervened in Mali in early January to prevent Islamic forces...

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (26 Jun 2013)

Brendan Smith: As the Minister of State is aware, the European Council in December 2012 proposed that the whole CSDP and its strengthening would be an issue for discussion and decision at the December Council meeting. As the House is aware, the protocol inserted in the Lisbon Treaty provides for our neutrality, and Ireland's views will be influenced and framed by that protocol and our policy of neutrality....

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (26 Jun 2013)

Brendan Smith: I assume the long-standing policy of neutrality will remain.