Results 8,881-8,900 of 18,459 for speaker:Brendan Smith

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.

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (26 Jun 2013)

Brendan Smith: I see the Tánaiste agrees.

Other Questions: Foreign Conflicts (26 Jun 2013)

Brendan Smith: And the triple lock.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (26 Jun 2013)

Brendan Smith: Has consideration being given by the Council of Foreign Ministers to urging the United Nations to impose a no-fly zone, or is there certain merit in that proposal? We know that, apart from the European Union, the international community made major commitments at the commencement of the year that it has not honoured about assisting to try to deal with the humanitarian crisis. Has the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (26 Jun 2013)

Brendan Smith: 4. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of the most recent discussions at European Union Foreign Affairs Council in relation to Syria; if there is a possibility of a common European position to deal with this ongoing and escalating conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30911/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (26 Jun 2013)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply and welcome the additional funding provided under our overseas development budget for the humanitarian crisis in Syria. Barbarity is too mild a word to describe what has been happening there. Some Members met representatives of the Syrian opposition groups recently. Their descriptions of the treatment of individuals and the murder and mayhem that is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: EU Funding (26 Jun 2013)

Brendan Smith: 1. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress made to date with the EU budget negotiations; if he will outline the way the outcome of those discussions will affect funding for various programmes here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30910/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: EU Funding (26 Jun 2013)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. Last weekend he was accused by certain Members of the European Parliament from both major groupings, the European People's Party and the socialist group, of "objectionable manipulation" in respect of his pronouncements on the multi-annual financial framework. Today he is talking about a "core package" rather than a done deal, the latter being what we...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: EU Funding (26 Jun 2013)

Brendan Smith: Has the issue of the deficit for the 2012-13 budget been resolved? The Tánaiste has indicated that the Parliament discussed the securing of additional funding by way of own resources. Have particular sources of revenue been identified in this regard? The financial transaction tax which is not acceptable to us is probably the one with the most potential. Are other areas being...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (26 Jun 2013)

Brendan Smith: 43. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised at the EU Foreign Affairs Council the totally inadequate response of the international community to the humanitarian crisis in Syria and adjoining areas; if the EU is pursuing with other major trading partners the urgent need to provide an immediate and adequate response to the needs of millions of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (26 Jun 2013)

Brendan Smith: 49. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he has taken to address the inadequate international response to commitments of humanitarian aid to Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30495/13]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Israeli Imports (26 Jun 2013)

Brendan Smith: 65. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the proposed labelling measures for goods from Israeli settlements that are currently being discussed at the EU level will take the form of voluntary guidelines or will be mandatory by law; if they will extend to all goods imported from Israeli settlements beyond just fresh agricultural produce; and if he will make a...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Social Welfare Eligibility (26 Jun 2013)

Brendan Smith: 146. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties that arise for emigrants who have now returned home and who are being deprived of social welfare benefits due to the conditions of the habitual residence clause (details supplied); her plans to remove such unfair restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31012/13]