Results 1,241-1,260 of 2,771 for speaker:Colm Brophy

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Regional Airports (6 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: I thank Senators Chambers and Murphy for providing an opportunity to speak about the Government's plans for the continuing support for Ireland West Airport Knock through the Covid crisis. I am happy to speak today on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton. At this stage there can be no doubt about the impacts of Covid-19 on the aviation industry and the knock-on effects...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Regional Airports (6 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: I acknowledge the Senators' comments. We have listened carefully to them. To give further assurance, the Government understands absolutely the intrinsic value of airports such as Ireland West Airport Knock to our economy, particularly in facilitating tourism and economic activity. We acknowledge in particular the difficulties facing our airports and the wider aviation industry at present....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Recycling Policy (6 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: I thank my party colleagues, Senators Buttimer and Burke, for raising this issue. I am delighted to have an opportunity to reply on behalf my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan. In September, the Minister launched the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, which sets out an ambitious new roadmap for waste planning and management and seeks to shift the focus away from waste...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Recycling Policy (6 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: I acknowledge the contribution of both Senators and will relay their points to the Minister.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Election Monitoring Missions (6 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: As the Senator noted, the Department maintains an election observation roster comprising highly qualified volunteers who are competitively selected. The roster is a demonstration of Ireland's contribution to the promotion of democracy, human rights and the rule of law as a member of the EU and the OSCE. Roster members are expected to discharge their responsibilities to a high standard....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Election Monitoring Missions (6 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: I will start by putting something immediately on record. There is not something rotten going on. That is a regrettable choice of words by Senator Mullen. It is a key cornerstone of the way in which we operate that we are conscious of ensuring the well-being and safety of members of the Irish roster when selected. We are also conscious of ensuring the safety and health of everyone in our...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Election Monitoring Missions (6 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: Other countries have different ways of doing things. The Government in this country puts the health and safety of our citizens first.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Issues (3 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: The Government is committed to holding a referendum on extending the franchise at Presidential elections to Irish citizens living outside the State. We have restored the Thirty-Ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Presidential Elections) Bill to the Dáil Order Paper. The date for the holding of the referendum will be decided once the legislation has been approved by the Oireachtas.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Aid (3 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: Ireland has provided development and humanitarian assistance to the Sudanese people for many years. The country has been beset with a combination of both climate and natural disasters as well as continued human rights and poverty challenges for decades. The global coronavirus pandemic is further straining an already fragile social and health infrastructure. Since 2018, Ireland has...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (3 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: The Department of Foreign Affairs maintains a roster of Irish volunteers available for nomination to election observation missions organised by the OSCE and the EU. Due to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the OSCE and the EU suspended election observation missions until last month. In respect of forthcoming elections this month and next, in Ukraine, Georgia and Republic of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (3 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: Recent developments in Nigeria, which have seen credible allegations of the use of excessive force against protesters, are of great concern, in particular the violence of 20 October in Lagos. Armed men in military-style attire attacked a group of protesters in the Lekki area of Lagos, using live ammunition, resulting in at least 12 deaths and many people injured. I extend my deep...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Aid (3 Nov 2020)

Colm Brophy: Yemen is the worst humanitarian crisis in the world with 24 million people, 80 per cent of the population, continuing to require assistance and/or protection. The UN is warning that the country is on the brink of famine. Yemen faces outbreaks of violent conflict, flooding, displacement, cholera and restrictions on humanitarian access. Currently COVID 19 is spreading rapidly in the country. ...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defence Forces Veterans (23 Oct 2020)

Colm Brophy: I have listened to the Deputy's response. It is regrettable that he would refer to a contribution made by me as trash considering that I spent a lifetime believing that the members of our Defence Forces are some of the bravest people and that they defend our country in all circumstances. They defend it on peacekeeping missions and have defended it at home for many years in support of the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defence Forces Veterans (23 Oct 2020)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Unfortunately, the Minister, Deputy Coveney, is unable to be present due to previous commitments and has asked me to respond to the Deputy. The siege of Jadotville was a prominent event that occurred during Ireland's peacekeeping mission in Congo in September 1961, as the Deputy outlined. A Company 35th Infantry Battalion took responsibility for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Aid (22 Oct 2020)

Colm Brophy: The severe flooding, caused by torrential rains and the overflow of the River Nile and its tributaries, has affected all of the States in Sudan.  It has caused significant damage affecting more than 875,000 people, including 150,000 refugees.  On 4 September, the Transitional Government of Sudan declared a national three-month State of Emergency and designated the country a natural...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Aid (22 Oct 2020)

Colm Brophy: I am aware that recent floods have seriously affected large parts of Sudan. On 4 September, the Transitional Government of Sudan declared a three-month State of Emergency and appealed for international assistance with regards to water, sanitation, hygiene, shelter and health care.  UN Agencies have reported 155 fatalities. More than 875,000 people have been affected, including 150,000...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (20 Oct 2020)

Colm Brophy: The Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) provides funding to non-profit organisations and projects to support our most vulnerable emigrants overseas, to strengthen Irish communities abroad and to facilitate the development of closer and more strategic links between Ireland and the global Irish. The budget for the programme in 2020 is €12.595 million and is a demonstration of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (20 Oct 2020)

Colm Brophy: Irish Aid is the Government's official development aid programme, of which approximately 65% is managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Irish Aid was found by the OECD in its peer review published earlier this year to be 'a strong voice for sustainable development'. The table below sets out Irish Aid grants to countries over the reference period. Data for 2020 is preliminary: more...

Financial Resolutions 2020 - Financial Resolution No. 7: General (Resumed) (15 Oct 2020)

Colm Brophy: Budget 2021 is the largest investment in the history of the State, at a time when we need it most. It is about allowing the Government to respond to the challenges and opportunities we face both at home and abroad. In budget 2021, I have worked with the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and my colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs to secure funding that will help those suffering from the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (15 Oct 2020)

Colm Brophy: The current roster of volunteers available for nomination to election observation missions organised by the EU and OSCE has 199 members, as listed in the response to Parliamentary Questions No. 338 and No. 342 of 21 July 2020. Roster members were selected on the basis of an open competitive application process in 2018. The roster, which is facilitated by the Department of Foreign Affairs, is...