Results 1,121-1,140 of 14,127 for speaker:David Stanton

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Discussion (30 Jan 2024)

David Stanton: Is everyone finished with Part 2 which concerns the external oversight body? Yes. We can now discuss Part 3, which consists of heads related to ICTU.

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Departmental Strategies (30 Jan 2024)

David Stanton: 94. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way she is assisting communities across the country to organise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3990/24]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Discussion (30 Jan 2024)

David Stanton: Apologies have been received from an Cathaoirleach, Deputy Charlie Flanagan, Deputy Barry Cowen and Senator O'Reilly. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss with officials from the Department of Defence the general scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023. I welcome: Ms Bernie Maguire, assistant secretary with responsibility for defence and security policy and legislation; Ms Clare...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Discussion (30 Jan 2024)

David Stanton: Thank you for that comprehensive overview.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Discussion (30 Jan 2024)

David Stanton: In head 6(3) it states, "The Minister may". Head 6(4) states, "The Minister may, prior to the commencement of any competition for the promotion of an officer". Head 6 gives the Minister discretion and, as was said earlier, he or she may or may not decide to confer. The Minister could completely ignore and sideline this body if he or she wished. Should we insert a proviso such as "The...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Discussion (30 Jan 2024)

David Stanton: We can deal with that section, all the heads related to ICTU. It might be easier to do that rather than go back and forth. I see Deputy Carthy has indicated.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Discussion (30 Jan 2024)

David Stanton: I will move on. Senator Craughwell is welcome. I know he has been busy with other matters. We are on Part 3 but if there is something pressing that he wants to go back to, he should feel free to do so.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Discussion (30 Jan 2024)

David Stanton: Even Senator Craughwell cannot be in two places at the one time. We are trying to confine our remarks to questions and answers.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Discussion (30 Jan 2024)

David Stanton: That is a good question. Who wants to take it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Discussion (30 Jan 2024)

David Stanton: I am sure there will be tonnes of consultation on this as we go forward-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Discussion (30 Jan 2024)

David Stanton: -----both with us and the interested parties. As Deputy Carthy also said, the Chair is anxious to involve various groups in the committee by having them give written and oral submissions. Can we come back to the actual-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Discussion (30 Jan 2024)

David Stanton: Let us deal with what is before us here today. Regarding head 26, (a) to (i) of it are fine, and I can see the merits of those, but the last bit could be interpreted very widely. When we look at the Bill, we might tighten that up to ensure it cannot be widened to, as the Senator said, a complete gag on the association from commenting on anything or making representations. I have a question...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Discussion (30 Jan 2024)

David Stanton: I thank Ms Tiernan. If colleagues are satisfied, we can move on to Part 4, which relates to miscellaneous amendments to the Defence Act 1954. This is about the head relating to ‘Protection of the Term “Óglaigh na hÉireann”’, heads related to compulsory random drug testing and the miscellaneous heads. Does any colleague want to come in with questions,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Discussion (30 Jan 2024)

David Stanton: I have no doubt.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Discussion (30 Jan 2024)

David Stanton: Sorry, which part are you referring to?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Discussion (30 Jan 2024)

David Stanton: That is not, strictly speaking, in the heads of the Bill before us but I will apply a little leniency and allow the Department to respond to Deputy Berry. If our guests do not have the answer now, they can send it to the committee later.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Discussion (30 Jan 2024)

David Stanton: Okay. I have one final question on the role of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces. Head 41 talks about people who would be deemed ineligible for appointment as Ombudsman and that is fair enough but is the opportunity being taken to look at the overall role and function of the Ombudsman and possibly update or change it, given that we are bringing through primary legislation anyway and the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023: Discussion (30 Jan 2024)

David Stanton: I have a sense that the Ombudsman has been slightly side lined and sent down a cul de sac to some degree. It would be timely to look at that in the round as well. I want to thank our guests for their time and their responses and for the work they are doing on this very important legislation. We will obviously do our own work on this and will be making suggestions, which I hope will be of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Conflict Resolution (25 Jan 2024)

David Stanton: 22. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to report on the current situation in Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3377/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Conflict Resolution (25 Jan 2024)

David Stanton: I wish to give the Tánaiste an opportunity to comment on the current situation in Sudan, the third largest country in Africa, with 49 million people there needing aid at the moment, 7.5 million displaced and tens of thousands killed in the ongoing war. Will the Tánaiste comment on that situation and Ireland's and Europe's reaction to it?