Results 13,401-13,420 of 15,536 for speaker:Helen McEntee

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...

Seanad: The Future of Europe and the Value of European Union Membership to Ireland: Statements (5 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Senators for being present and for making time available today an important debate on the future of the European Union. I have to acknowledge that this debate takes place against the backdrop of ongoing uncertainty about Brexit, and rightly so. We are concentrating our efforts on making sure that we are prepared for 29 March and what that brings. I want to take this opportunity...

Seanad: The Future of Europe and the Value of European Union Membership to Ireland: Statements (5 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: I will try to address some of the points that were made. As Senator Horkan pointed out in his contribution, we are here to highlight some of the positives of the EU. I thank Senators for their views, comments, criticisms and positive remarks on the EU. I would be the first to say that the EU is not perfect, but it is the best mechanism we have to deal with the many challenges we face. As...

Seanad: The Future of Europe and the Value of European Union Membership to Ireland: Statements (5 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: Yes, it will be as well as the current plan.

Seanad: The Future of Europe and the Value of European Union Membership to Ireland: Statements (5 Mar 2019)

Helen McEntee: Yes, absolutely. The conversation we had in terms of the more informal discussion at the General Affairs Council, in particular on the sustainable development goals, is that we would not just look at a European agenda but that there would be a focus on the implementation plans for individual member states as well. It is a two-pronged approach. The overall reasoning behind the document was...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Dental Services Waiting Lists (20 Feb 2019)

Helen McEntee: I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health who sends his apologies for not being here. If the Senator has any follow-on questions I will, of course, raise them with him and he will respond to her directly.I thank the Senator for the opportunity to address the issue of dental services in CHO 5. Eligibility for dental services is provided for in the Health Act 1970. Dental...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Dental Services Waiting Lists (20 Feb 2019)

Helen McEntee: The new national oral health policy will be published shortly by the Minister for Health. Its aim is to develop models of care that will emphasise preventive care and prioritise preventive approaches from childhood to old age, support the public, ensure easy access to care and enable people to have the best oral health. Issues such as out of hours, delay and qualification may be addressed....

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (20 Feb 2019)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Senator for raising this issue as it gives me an opportunity to outline the position on educational planning in schools on behalf of the Minister for Education and Skills.The Department of Education and Skills recently wrote to the Teachers Union of Ireland and the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland to reiterate to them the importance of planning for pupils with special...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (20 Feb 2019)

Helen McEntee: I reiterate that when we look at the figures we see that in the past seven or eight years there has been an increase of more than 37%. Although we still have more work to do, the Senator will agree this is a significant increase. We have the significant number of 14,000 special education teachers in our schools providing support to students on a daily basis. A total of €1.8 billion...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (20 Feb 2019)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Chair. I would not like my constituents to think I am travelling too much. Travel, however, has definitely increased at the moment. I am delighted to be here again to update the committee on developments. As usual, it has been a very busy time since I was last with the committee in December, not least regarding Brexit. I attended the General Affairs Council yesterday where...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (20 Feb 2019)

Helen McEntee: We are okay on time. We have another 45 minutes owing to the delay in the Dáil. I thank members and the Chairman for their comments and support. Ireland has a unique opportunity to sell itself and otherwise engage with member states and countries across the world on St. Patrick's Day. It is an important opportunity for us to relay the best of what we have to offer in trade,...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Human Rights (14 Feb 2019)

Helen McEntee: I thank both Deputies for raising what is an extremely important issue. The Government's position remains the same as it was in the previous eight statements, which is that the situation requires the attention of the UN Human Rights Council. We have raised the issue of Bahrain with the council and we will be sure to raise it again. I reassure both Deputies that the Department of Foreign...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Human Rights (14 Feb 2019)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputies for raising this issue. It is, of course, a matter of grave concern for the Government that, eight years on from the beginning of the 2011 pro-democracy protests, Bahrain has not progressed in the way we had hoped. In fact, it has become an increasingly restrictive society, civic society space has contracted significantly and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Passport Applications (12 Feb 2019)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Senator for raising what is a very important issue. While much of my response is quite technical in outlining the situation as it stands, the Senator has brought it back to what it should be about, namely, families, children and their parents. While he, I and many others would recognise both people in the example he gave as parents, the letter of the law says otherwise. We have...