Results 13,361-13,380 of 15,429 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Report on Building Standards, Building Controls and Consumer Protection: Motion (24 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputies for the report tabled this evening which addresses an area of fundamental concern that has a direct impact on the daily lives of many people living in the State. I reiterate the sentiments of the Minister for Housing Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy. Stronger compliance with building standards has been a key priority for Government and has manifested...

Topical Issue Debates: Animal Welfare (24 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: I note the Deputy's point that the level of animal death has increased since the programme was introduced in 2012. I also note her point as to who was consulted in the extensive consultation process. I will discuss the matters with the Minister, Deputy Creed, and ask him to come back to the Deputy directly.

Topical Issue Debates: Animal Welfare (24 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: I apologise for the Deputy not being informed about who would respond to this matter. If the response does not answer some of the questions asked, I will certainly bring this back to the Minister and relay the concerns to him. The bovine viral diarrhoea, BVD, eradication programme undertaken by Animal Health Ireland was developed following an extensive consultation exercise. Animal...

Topical Issue Debates: Diplomatic Representation (24 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: I thank Deputy Wallace for raising this issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Tánaiste, who sends his apologies. Ireland's diplomatic and consular network is at the forefront of efforts to promote our political and economic interests and values and provide important services to the Irish people and business community. At present, there are 80 embassies, consulates, and...

Topical Issue Debates: Diplomatic Representation (24 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: I see that the factors raised by the Deputy possibly warrant a reopening of the resident embassy in Teheran. Iran is a very important regional actor. We want to understand their policies and influence them, but there are also a number of strongly negative aspects to Iranian's actions. These include regional conflicts, missile development and human rights issues. Iran's role in Syria and...

Topical Issue Debates: Diplomatic Representation (24 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: A lot of work is being done in terms of developing our diplomatic network, and the question of reopening a residency in Iran is not completely out of the question. It will be considered in the overall Global Footprint 2025 expansion.

Topical Issue Debates: Animal Welfare (24 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: Yes.

UK Withdrawal from the European Union: Statements (24 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: I am pleased to have the opportunity to make some closing remarks. I will start by agreeing with Deputy Lisa Chambers in that we are very lucky to have such a wonderful team working with us and on our behalf at the Irish Embassy in Brussels. We also have great people at all of our embassies throughout the remainder of the EU and across the various Departments here. Like all of us in this...

European Union (Common Fisheries Policy) (Point System) Regulations 2018: Motion [Private Members] (23 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: I thank Deputy Gallagher and the other Deputies concerned for providing me with the opportunity to update the House on certain matters relating to the European Union (Common Fisheries Policy) (Point System) Regulations 2018, SI 89 of 2018. Nine years ago, following a European Court of Auditors review on the enforcement of fisheries law, it was agreed by Ministers at EU level that a...

Seanad: Europe Day 2018: Statements (10 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: I thank the House for making time available for statements on the future of Europe. Yesterday we celebrated Europe Day. On 9 May 1950 Robert Schuman, the then French Foreign Minister, issued a declaration in which it was proposed to place French and German production of coal and steel under one common high authority. The post-war policy had been to boost French production of coal and steel...

Seanad: Europe Day 2018: Statements (10 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: I thank all Senators for their contributions and work on the European stage. I congratulate Senator Joe O'Reilly on his appointment as vice president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. I wish him and all Senators well in their work. I will first touch on Brexit because it has been raised by so many. I did not address it in my opening contribution. Senator Ivana...

Seanad: Europe Day 2018: Statements (10 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: As I mentioned in my opening statement, we need to bring Europe closer to the people. That means continuing to communicate and giving public representatives a platform to communicate with the people they represent and also with those they do not. We can only do that by reaching out, by having public engagements and civic dialogues and by encouraging other organisations that have the...

Seanad: Europe Day 2018: Statements (10 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: While the European Commission has put forward its initial proposals, as with anything this is subject to debate, discussion and challenge. If we can ensure gender balance it will make €13 billion in additional revenue available. Despite the fact that we should have gender balance anyway, the extra money is also an incentive. We should ensure that it is applied across the board. I...

Future of the European Union: Statements (9 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: At a time when the European Union faces serious challenges, it is appropriate that we mark Europe Day by turning our attention to the future of the Union while reminding ourselves of its fundamental purpose. It is 68 years since plans for the European Coal and Steel Community were announced. It was a bold plan in a post-war context which envisaged the close interlinking of European...

Mental Health Parity Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (2 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: I thank Deputy Browne for raising this matter. The crux of the Bill is something we have been trying to address for some time in this country and, historically, we have treated mental health differently, including how we engage with people with mental health problems, how we address them and the funding given to the mental health area. However, I do not agree that in recent times mental...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Commonwealth of Nations (1 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Senator for raising this issue, which he has discussed many times before and is something in which he believes passionately. He is also passionate about preparing for all of the eventualities of Brexit and ensuring that we continue to work with the UK and have the closest possible relationship with it. We have strong international relations across the globe - bilaterally with...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Commonwealth of Nations (1 May 2018)

Helen McEntee: I fully agree with the Senator that we need to continue such visits. We must ensure that our relations stay strong. We have had a turbulent past but in recent years - in particular through our common membership of the European Union - the United Kingdom has been our closest neighbour, friend and ally in many different areas. We must ensure that is not affected because of Brexit but that...

European Council Meeting: Statements (28 Mar 2018)

Helen McEntee: I thank all the Deputies for their questions and also for their patience in the Chamber for the afternoon. I will provide further details about some of the external relations issues that were discussed at the European Council in Brussels last week, particularly in respect of Russia and Turkey, and then I will address the questions that have been asked. The Taoiseach has noted that...

European Council Meeting: Statements (28 Mar 2018)

Helen McEntee: If the Acting Chairman wishes to add more time, that is okay with me.

European Council Meeting: Statements (28 Mar 2018)

Helen McEntee: There are only two questions so we might as well.