Results 9,041-9,060 of 18,450 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes Payments (18 Apr 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proposals, if any, he has to assist farmers who are experiencing ongoing difficulties due to the poor weather conditions and severe fodder shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18122/13]

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Agreements: Motion (17 Apr 2013)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the Tánaiste's introduction of these motions to seek formal agreement. We are formalising agreements that have been in place for some years and I welcome that progress. It helps to deepen and expand co-operation. South Africa has a population in excess of 50 million, while there are 250 million people in Indonesia. I do not know the population of South Korea but it has the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Foreign Affairs Councils: Discussion with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (17 Apr 2013)

Brendan Smith: I also welcome the Tánaiste's very comprehensive statement. In regard to his concluding remarks, I welcome the fact that the conference on hunger, nutrition and climate change was successful and commend the Department and the Mary Robinson Foundation on their initiative in hosting the conference. We all welcome communiqués and declarations. It is the follow-up and the action,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Position of LGBTI People in Uganda: Discussion (17 Apr 2013)

Brendan Smith: I welcome our guests. What we have heard from Ms Nabagesera is frightening and alarming. The briefing papers we received from Freedom and Roam, Uganda and from Amnesty International painted a similar picture. Ms Nabagesera's contribution highlights for us the serious concern the international community should have in regard to this issue. The question asked by the Chairman is important....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (17 Apr 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Minister for Health the payments currently paid to general practitioners in respect of medical card patients; the details of the individual charges for each category of card holder, that is, child, adult, family, over 70 years, GP visit only card or whatever way the charges are structured; the additional payments made; the make-up of same, be that pensions, surgery, maintenance or...

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Preschool Services (16 Apr 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to introduce a second free pre-school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17299/13]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Property Taxation Exemptions (16 Apr 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Minister for Finance if a waiver or reduction in the amount of the household tax will be made available to senior citizens, particularly those with a disability as many senior citizens in this category do not have the resources to meet additional household payments; his plans to introduce or consider introducing a waiver or reduction for senior citizens and or senior citizens with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staffing (16 Apr 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school (details supplied) in Dublin 9; if he intends to increase the number of special needs assistants to the school and bring the complement back to that which existed in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16888/13]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Waste Management Issues (16 Apr 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he is considering introducing a national waste management bin collection waiver for senior citizens and low income families, as many senior citizens and low income families do not have the sufficient financial resources to meet additional household payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16885/13]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Vehicle Clamping (16 Apr 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will clarify the rules, protocols or regulations that private clamping firms operate under; if there is a national body through which his Department talks with clamping firms; the agreements, formal or informal under which they operate; if there is a level of discussion or understanding on-going; the way complaints to his Department...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: A Reflection on 15 Years of the Good Friday Agreement and Looking Towards the Future: Discussion (11 Apr 2013)

Brendan Smith: I welcome our guests and thank them for their contributions. Perhaps we might receive a paper from Professor Hamber and Dr. Jarmon because both of them mentioned a very wide and diverse range of issues which need to be tackled. A very important point Mr. Sheridan made was that we should continue to recognise the achievements of the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement which remain as...

Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (28 Mar 2013)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Minister for his reply. Will he outline the configuration of the regional units? I presume it is on a geographic basis and takes economic and political interests into consideration as well. As the Minister noted, over the years, there has been, quite rightly and understandably, very close co-operation between representatives of statutory agencies and the diplomatic staff...

Other Questions: Overseas Development Aid (28 Mar 2013)

Brendan Smith: I wish to ask two brief questions.

Other Questions: Overseas Development Aid (28 Mar 2013)

Brendan Smith: We were not given the reply.

Other Questions: Overseas Development Aid (28 Mar 2013)

Brendan Smith: It was the Department's audit committee that recommended the appointment of a chief risk officer and a head of finance. The Minister of State said he hoped the Minister would look at the appointment of a chief financial officer. However, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade told us several months ago that this appointment process had already been set in train and...

Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (28 Mar 2013)

Brendan Smith: The Vatican has a relationship with 179 countries and there are 80 resident embassies there. Can the Tánaiste assure us that the idea of a dual location - to have an ambassador accredited to the Holy See as well as to Italy - was considered before the decision was made to appoint a non-resident ambassador?

Other Questions: Diplomatic Representation (28 Mar 2013)

Brendan Smith: Is the diplomatic network reviewed annually? Has the Tánaiste given consideration to a review of the necessity for full ambassadors to some of the international organisations? We have had diplomatic relations with the Holy See since 1929. In the sequence of London, Washington and the then League of Nations, it has been one of Ireland's longest established diplomatic relations and is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (28 Mar 2013)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the Tánaiste's statement. He is adopting the right approach. It is an important issue and I tabled a number of Priority Questions on it over the past months in view of the correspondence we receive from interest groups and the absolute humanitarian crisis that has erupted. Some 70,000 people have lost their lives. The Save the Children report referred to boys and girls...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (28 Mar 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress he has made in discussions with the US officials and President Obama regarding the E-3 Visa programme for Irish citizens and the status of the undocumented Irish in upcoming immigration reform legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15822/13]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (28 Mar 2013)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Tánaiste for his reply and welcome his assurance that this very important issue was raised in meetings with Members of Congress and the US Administration, including President Obama. Will he inform the House whether immigration reform generally or the specific inclusion of Irish citizens in the E-3 visa programme was raised with President Obama? While it is always difficult...