Results 9,021-9,040 of 18,325 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources: Digital Economy (26 Feb 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the proposals he has to advance the EU digital economy during the Irish Presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8925/13]

Finance Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (21 Feb 2013)

Brendan Smith: I am glad to have the opportunity to make a short contribution on this important Bill. While I am sure there will be a finance Bill next year enacting the measures announced in the next budget in the latter half of this year, I presume a Second Stage debate on that Bill will be a process that will be quite different from the current process due to the changes being heralded by new EU rules...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Business Licences (21 Feb 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress that has been made in reducing the multiplicity of licences required by businesses on foot of the Forfás report last year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9074/13]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Voluntary Housing Sector (21 Feb 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the State supports currently available under the two schemes to voluntary housing bodies; the relevant legislation under which this is available; the details of the relevant schemes and the category of bodies/clients availing of them and specifically, in relation to the funding of family homes as provided by voluntary bodies,...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Charges (21 Feb 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to introduce domestic water meters; the way this will be done with apartment blocks/multiple occupancy units; if each apartment owner/occupier will have a separate metering system or if it will be done using a single supply with a management company collecting the charge from each owner; if an option will be given...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Promotion: Discussion (Resumed) with British Irish Chamber of Commerce (20 Feb 2013)

Brendan Smith: I welcome Mr. Aiken and Ms Glen to this meeting. They represent important players in the business of trade between our two countries. Will they elaborate on the announcement by the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, that a referendum will be held in Britain on EU membership? What does the chamber or its constituent bodies hear on the ground in regard to that proposal? I am glad Mr....

Other Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (20 Feb 2013)

Brendan Smith: Personal introductions are always better.

Other Questions: Nuclear Proliferation (20 Feb 2013)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. I welcome the fact that he issued a strong statement and that this matter has been taken very seriously at the recent Foreign Affairs Council meeting. One worrying commentary I saw reported was that North Korea threatened South Korea with final destruction during a debate at the UN Conference on Disarmament recently and it talked about taking second...

Other Questions: Nuclear Proliferation (20 Feb 2013)

Brendan Smith: Will the Tánaiste indicate if there was any discussion at the Council meeting in regard to the commentary at the weekend that Iran's leading nuclear scientists travel to North Korea for this particular nuclear test? As we know, advocates and friends of Iran in this country will always state that Iran's nuclear capability is being developed for peaceful purposes and as a source of energy...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (20 Feb 2013)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Tánaiste for his further clarification. I again urge him to ensure that every opportunity that arises is taken by Irish political leaders and officials working in the United States in order to keep the issue on top of the agenda. The Tánaiste correctly stated that many people have not been able to travel home for family occasions, be they happy or sad. All of us, but...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (20 Feb 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline his views on the recent immigration reform initiative; the plans he has to discuss this initiative with the United States authorities in regard to the position of the undocumented Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9180/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (20 Feb 2013)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. Clearly, assisting or regularising the position of the undocumented Irish must form part of a comprehensive immigration reform programme. Like the Tánaiste, I welcome the fact that, in two major speeches recently, President Obama placed a certain priority on a legislative initiative to deal with this issue. I also welcome the cross-party...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Marching Season (20 Feb 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State the need to bring clarity to the exact authority of the Parades Commission and its jurisdiction over non-notified parades in view of the fact that difficulties have recently emerged with non-notified parades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9179/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Marching Season (20 Feb 2013)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. Since I tabled this parliamentary question last Thursday, this issue has received considerable coverage in the media. One police officer issued a strong message that judicial clarity is needed on parading laws. The Tánaiste referred to this and we await the judicial review. It is to be hoped that can be finalised as soon as possible. Next...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Northern Ireland Marching Season (20 Feb 2013)

Brendan Smith: What we have witnessed over the past ten weeks is the remit of the Parades Commission not being respected by people organising parades every weekend and midweek as well. On the morning of 11 February, both the Tánaiste and the Secretary of State, Ms Villiers, referred to the need for greater urgency to be attached to a resolution of the underlying problems of sectarianism by the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the proposed Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland as provided for in the Good Friday Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9181/13]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland Issues (20 Feb 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State or with the Northern Ireland Executive any new initiatives to deal with sectarian violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9173/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): European Council Meetings (19 Feb 2013)

Brendan Smith: The advice is consistent anyway.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (19 Feb 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the most recent discussions in relation to Mali at the European Foreign Affairs Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8194/13]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (19 Feb 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the recent Foreign Affairs EU Council extended the EU sanctions package against Syria beyond the end of March; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8196/13]