Results 13,281-13,300 of 15,429 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (29 May 2019)

Helen McEntee: We can manage what we can manage but there are certain things, as members can understand, we cannot do.

Ireland's Position on the Future of Europe: Statements (18 Apr 2019)

Helen McEntee: I thank Deputies for their contributions to this debate. As always, I have listened with interest to everything they have had to say today and throughout the entire process which has taken place over the past 18 months. I acknowledge the contributions of both Houses to the wider debate on the future of Europe, not only at the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs but also through the...

Post-European Council Meetings: Statements (17 Apr 2019)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputies for their statements and questions. I join them in wishing all of our European Parliament election candidates every success in the next few weeks. On the basis of clarification received from the Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Phelan, I understand the elections will be held on the basis that there will be 13 seats...

Post-European Council Meetings: Statements (17 Apr 2019)

Helen McEntee: If Deputy McGrath were here when we started and when the Taoiseach spoke, it might have helped.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Northern Ireland (3 Apr 2019)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Senator for raising this issue. He is right that it has been raised with me directly and indirectly via social media and otherwise. It has also been raised with the Minister. Ensuring both the citizenship and identity provisions of the Good Friday Agreement are upheld in all relevant areas is vitally important. It is something on which the Government and I are continuing to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Northern Ireland (3 Apr 2019)

Helen McEntee: I take on board and understand the Senator's concerns. Many are concerned by statments made more recently since the Prime Minister's speech. I reaffirm the commitment made by her that the birth right to identity and to be accepted as British, Irish or both, and the right to hold both British and Irish citizenship are absolutely central to the Good Friday Agreement. We absolutely intend to...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Northern Ireland (3 Apr 2019)

Helen McEntee: What we need to see is an update from the Prime Minister on the review. We will then take it from there.

Post-European Council Meetings: Statements (27 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: We need to provide humanitarian aid. It is a humanitarian crisis, particularly when millions of people are leaving the country at the same time. As the Taoiseach indicated, I will focus my concluding remarks on external relations and on our ongoing efforts to combat disinformation and to secure free and fair elections. Under external relations, in addition to the broad-ranging...

Post-European Council Meetings: Statements (27 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: A number of issues were raised by Deputies who have left the Chamber, specifically Deputy Howlin with respect to the social agenda. It was not discussed at the European Council this weekend or last weekend but it is very much continuously on the agenda. We have 25 different initiatives currently in force. Moving on from the discussions that took place in Stockholm, the introduction of a...

Recent Developments on Brexit: Statements (13 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: I thank all Deputies for their contributions, not only tonight but over the course of what has been a lengthy discussion. If I could correct the record, I said that the Cooper amendment had been passed but in fact it was the Spelman amendment, moved by Ms Yvette Cooper, MP. To begin with the last Deputy's question on an extension, we have always said that we would not stand in the way of...

Recent Developments on Brexit: Statements (13 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: I too welcome the passing of the Yvette Cooper amendment this evening, albeit by four votes. I think we will see in a few moments the vote on the Prime Minister's motion. Having said that, while MPs have voted to avoid a no-deal, this does not actually prevent a no-deal from happening. As I will have an opportunity in the wrap-up to touch on some other issues, I will focus on our own...

Business Insurance: Motion [Private Members] (13 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: I wish to share my time with the Minister of State, Deputy Michael D'Arcy. I thank the Deputies for their contributions on the motion, which was introduced by Fianna Fáil. I thank Deputy Michael McGrath, in particular. The Government, and the Minister in particular, is aware that the issue of the cost and availability of business insurance, particularly employer and public...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Committee and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: I thank Senator Ó Donnghaile for speaking and Senator Conway-Walsh for the amendment.We will, of course, co-operate with all Senators. Our priority and objective throughout the negotiations have been to try to ensure the status quowill continue. Everything we do is to that effect. That applies to industry and other sectors, in particular, the one that is most likely to be impacted on...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (12 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: Brexit poses an unprecedented challenge for Ireland. The ongoing uncertainty we are facing only serves to increase the scale of this challenge as we prepare for several possible outcomes. The potential impact of a no-deal Brexit on Ireland would be severe. Negative impacts would be felt across a range of sectors of the economy, across our regions and by our consumers, farmers and...

Seanad: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (12 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: As I outlined earlier, and as many Senators have stated, the decision of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union has presented Ireland with unprecedented political, economic and diplomatic challenges. Our relation with the UK is unique in its depth and strength. Having joined at the same time, our co-operation, for more than 45 years, has been underpinned by our common EU membership....

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: I am grateful for the opportunity to comment on the Final Stage of the Bill. Unfortunately, I was not here last week when it was introduced and went through Second Stage. So much of what we have achieved in these negotiations has been due to the absolute support of our member state colleagues in the European Union. I therefore did not think it was appropriate to cancel my visit to meet...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Radio Broadcasting (6 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: I was asked by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Richard Bruton, to address the House to clarify the current position regarding the proposed amendments to the broadcasting levy. I thank the Senator for raising this matter. It is understood throughout this House that local and national radio contribute an enormous amount to our society, not only by...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Radio Broadcasting (6 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: The Minister is very much aware of the urgency of this and we hope the legislation will be moved through the Houses and enacted as soon as possible.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: EU Migration Crisis (6 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Senator for raising what he has rightly described as a serious and important issue. We are all troubled by the persistent and ongoing human rights abominations taking place not only in Libya but in many other places as well. Ihave a script but I will answer the questions. Some of the answers are contained in my prepared response, but it is important to highlight a number of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: EU Migration Crisis (6 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: As the Senator rightly said, this is an extremely complex issue. Libya needs a functioning coastguard to protect its coasts and rescue people in danger at sea. It is absolutely unacceptable that those who are supposed to be working with and supporting these migrants might not be doing so. I call on the Libyan coastguard and authorities to ensure they adhere to international law at all...