Results 9,161-9,180 of 18,460 for speaker:Brendan Smith

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]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (19 Feb 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals there are to introduce as a condition of funding under overseas development aid that recipient countries should provide adequately for civil society space as outlined in a document (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8906/13]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rural Transport (19 Feb 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that full consultation is carried out with all stakeholders, particularly the existing rural transport providers, in relation to the establishment of new structures for the delivery of rural transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8195/13]

Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (14 Feb 2013)

Brendan Smith: In listening to the Minister of State's speech it was obvious there were still many outstanding issues in regard to existing staff of local authorities and that a considerable period of time was envisaged for the transfer of functions to Uisce Éireann and its establishment in the period 2014-17. Moreover, there is no provision for political accountability on the part of Uisce...

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (14 Feb 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Minister for Health the progress that has been made on securing a new general practitioner contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7499/13]

Written Answers — Department of Health: National Positive Ageing Strategy Publication (14 Feb 2013)

Brendan Smith: To ask the Minister for Health when the National Positive Ageing Strategy will be brought forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7514/13]