Results 81-100 of 1,929 for speaker:Barry Ward

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Programmes (15 Jul 2025)

Barry Ward: 1010. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the success of the Mitchell scholarship programme, given its huge popularity with future leaders in the US; if he is conscious of the need to support this fund; and if he will explore endowment options with the US-Ireland Alliance. [38783/25]

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Irish Language (15 Jul 2025)

Barry Ward: 1064. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on the adequacy of the existing budget to support the Irish language and Gaeltacht communities; if an increase in this budget can be considered in the context of forthcoming Budget negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39385/25]

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Thalidomide Victims Compensation (10 Jul 2025)

Barry Ward: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht bheith anseo déanach ar an Déardaoin chun déileáil leis an gceist seo. This is an issue I have raised on a number of occasions, that is, the attitude of the State towards the treatment of survivors of thalidomide. The Minister of State will be aware that thalidomide was a drug that was used in the early 1960s by women in...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Thalidomide Victims Compensation (10 Jul 2025)

Barry Ward: I thank the Minister of State. I acknowledge the reason for the absence of the Minister for State, Deputy Naughton. I applaud her for acknowledging the massacre in Srebrenica. I also understand what the Minister of State, Deputy Collins, said; I know he is reading a response on her behalf. The statement that the Government is committed to helping the survivors of thalidomide is all...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (10 Jul 2025)

Barry Ward: 73. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the EU-Israel association agreement; the actions our Government is taking in talks with our EU partners related to Israel's compliance with Article 2 of this agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37246/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (10 Jul 2025)

Barry Ward: Question No. 73 relates to the work the Tánaiste is doing relating to the EU-Israel association agreement. I respect hugely the work that we have done in the European Union, that the Tánaiste has done in the European Union and the respect for the rule of law. Given that there is ample evidence to suggest that Israel is outside the terms of that agreement and that it is not...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Middle East (10 Jul 2025)

Barry Ward: I put on record my admiration for the fact that the Tánaiste has put together a coalition among our European colleagues. It is no small feat. Given what he has said and given the inconsistency of the strength of action that Europe has taken on Russia, and the lack of action taken regarding Israel, how can we continue to have faith in the operation of the rule of law if this is not an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Equality Issues (10 Jul 2025)

Barry Ward: 47. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding any support his Department has given, or plans to give, to organisations that seek to support LGBTQ+ organisations in Hungary; his views on the success of Pride celebrations in Budapest in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37245/25]

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Regeneration Projects (10 Jul 2025)

Barry Ward: 107. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the town and village renewal scheme; if he is conscious of the need to address dereliction and vacancy in the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37248/25]

Written Answers — Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Men's Sheds (10 Jul 2025)

Barry Ward: 119. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his views on the merits of providing multiannual funding for men's and women's sheds, to allow them to plan longer term projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37247/25]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Childcare Services (10 Jul 2025)

Barry Ward: 195. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 209 of 2 July 2025, if a tax rebate or any other financial support can be given to parents with children in childcare centres that are not signed up to the core funding model, resulting in higher fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38333/25]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Schemes (10 Jul 2025)

Barry Ward: 212. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding any initiatives led by her Department that seek to promote outdoor education and improve local biodiversity for an existing school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38356/25]

Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)

Barry Ward: Today, I and other members of the Ukraine parliamentary friendship group met with the ambassador, H.E. Larysa Gerasko. One of the concerns she expressed was that she has heard that Ukraine is no longer a priority for Ireland. I have never heard any such statement from any member of my party, of the Minister of State's party or of Government. Will the Minister confirm that Ukraine remains a...

Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)

Barry Ward: I will shortly talk about EU expansionism but I feel I need to address some of the comments Deputy Lawless has made about hate speech legislation. I am very much an advocate for free speech. Quite apart from the fact that it is a right under the European Convention, it is a constitutional right in this jurisdiction which must be respected and maintained. However, having a law that says...

Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)

Barry Ward: The Deputy can read the comments I made on this in the Seanad. As the Fine Gael justice spokesperson in the Seanad, I spoke for a very long time on many occasions on that Bill. There is no doubt whatsoever about my views on this. The Deputy speaks as if there are no restrictions on free speech and suggests we should tell the EU to go and get stuffed. What kind of a comment is that to...

Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)

Barry Ward: -----race and religion. I do not want people like that to be put upon by other people because they choose to speak out against them. The Deputy speaks as if there are no restrictions on free speech, as if it is an absolute thing. Presumably he would throw out the defamation laws as well because-----

Post-European Council: Statements (9 Jul 2025)

Barry Ward: -----he believes people should be able to say whatever they want, as is the case in America. He believes people can say whatever they want and it does not matter if they do down someone's good name or incite hatred against them. What an absolute nonsense stance to take. He should be responsible and recognise that no right in our Constitution or any other international instrument we are...

Committee on European Union Affairs: Findings of the 2025 European Movement Ireland EU Poll: European Movement Ireland (9 Jul 2025)

Barry Ward: To discuss the findings of European Movement Ireland's 2025 EU poll, we are joined by Ms Noelle O'Connell, chief executive officer, and Ms Lorna Hayes, deputy CEO and head of policy and research. They are both very welcome. I really appreciate them coming here because there is a lot of interest in the poll and in what they have to say. Before we begin, I have to read a note on privilege...