Results 8,861-8,880 of 18,325 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Second Global Irish Economic Forum: Discussion with Department of Foreign Affairs (8 May 2013)

Brendan Smith: I welcome Mr. Burgess and his colleagues. I take this opportunity to thank the staff in our various embassies and consulates, particularly in the United States, with whom we often have to intervene on behalf of constituents. Only last weekend I was in contact with officials in the New York consulate and I very much appreciate their assistance. Is there any likely timeframe for the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement: Discussion with Minister of State (8 May 2013)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State for her detailed contribution. I presume we can take for granted that Croatia will accede to the European Union on 1 July. With regard to the other countries that have candidate status, is there any hoped for timeline in the European Commission for possible accession dates for each of the countries? Apart from Croatia, is it expected any other country will...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Application Numbers (8 May 2013)

Brendan Smith: 25. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who applied under the disadvantaged areas payment scheme for 2012; the number who have received their payments; the number who have had their payments rejected; the number still under consideration broken down by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21481/13]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (8 May 2013)

Brendan Smith: 59. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent meetings with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State and Members of the Northern Ireland Executive; the issues discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21871/13]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (8 May 2013)

Brendan Smith: 58. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if any new initiatives are being considered at the European Union Foreign Affairs Council in relation to the ongoing conflict in Syria and the catastrophic humanitarian situation in that region; if the European Union has had negotiations recently with the United Nations in relation to the urgent need for the Security...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Air Services Provision (8 May 2013)

Brendan Smith: 60. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions, if any, he has had in relation to the need to develop direct flight connections between Ireland and west coast USA in view of the potential to develop further trade opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21881/13]

Topical Issue Debate: Carbon Tax Collection (7 May 2013)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. I compliment the Revenue Commissioners on the excellent work they have been doing in recent years to deal with the scourge of washed diesel and the illicit trade in diesel, in particular, but also in tobacco products. I know from speaking to those officials that they are dealing with a very difficult issue and have made substantial progress, which we...

Topical Issue Debate: Carbon Tax Collection (7 May 2013)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this topic and appreciate that the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, is present to respond to it. As a Border county Deputy representing the counties of Cavan and Monaghan, I have a particular concern about the smuggling of fuel across the Border, not just diesel and petrol but also solid fuels. Alcohol, tobacco and a range of other...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: EU Presidency Agenda (7 May 2013)

Brendan Smith: 89. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide a progress report on Ireland's EU Presidency insofar as it relates to defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21306/13]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (7 May 2013)

Brendan Smith: 119. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding our Third World aid and our spend for each of the past four years in actual terms, as per cent of GDP; his current policy regarding reaching 0.7% by 2015; if same is still the target;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21548/13]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Pensions Levy Issues (7 May 2013)

Brendan Smith: 157. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the levy imposed on private pension funds; the date on which this commenced; the length of time it will be in place; the levies that have been collected to date; if the legislation was tested by the courts; if there is a firm committment to end this levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21546/13]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: VAT Rebates (7 May 2013)

Brendan Smith: 158. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the matter in relation to VAT refunds on disabled persons extensions and walk-in showers for elderly with mobility problems; if he will outline the projects which do not allow the applicant to apply to the Revenue Commissioners for VAT refund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21549/13]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (7 May 2013)

Brendan Smith: 414. To ask the Minister for Health the funding provided generally for disability services in each of the past four years to disability agencies generally; St. Michael's House; and in relation to St. Michael's House, the services that have been curtailed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21547/13]

Topical Issue Debate: Foreign Conflicts (1 May 2013)

Brendan Smith: The tragedy unfolding before our eyes in Syria has claimed over 70,000 lives over the past two years, although I understand that is a conservative estimate of the terrible loss of life. The country has been consumed by a civil war that has caused a major humanitarian crisis in the region. The war has also served as a proxy battle between various states and factions in the Middle East. The...

Topical Issue Debate: Foreign Conflicts (1 May 2013)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister of State for his reply and welcome his ongoing efforts and those of the Tánaiste to keep this issue on the agenda at EU level. Indeed, it is not long since myself and the Acting Chairman, Deputy Ann Phelan, raised this matter in a previous topical issues debate. It is an extremely difficult situation. Last Wednesday, a former Member of this House, Barry Andrews,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion with American Chamber of Commerce Ireland (Resumed) (1 May 2013)

Brendan Smith: I welcome Mr. Cotter and his colleagues. The statistics he has quoted indicate the strong business relationship between the United States and this country, the very significant number of employees in US firms in this country and the large number of individual companies also. A number of years ago it was always thought that the number of people employed in the United States by Irish...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion with American Chamber of Commerce Ireland (Resumed) (1 May 2013)

Brendan Smith: The figure of 96,000 used to be quoted.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (1 May 2013)

Brendan Smith: The presentation by Barry Andrews last week was very good. We received correspondence from the meeting and a briefing on Syria from Oxfam. As I said here last week, the issue of Syria is chilling. The international community has not done what needs to be done. We know the Tánaiste is pushing as hard as he can and we are providing humanitarian assistance, but can we adopt another...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (1 May 2013)

Brendan Smith: If the Chairman or the clerk to the committee has any suggestions-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (1 May 2013)

Brendan Smith: We want to keep it on the agenda.