Results 13,401-13,420 of 15,429 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Key Developments on European Agenda: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Helen McEntee (9 Nov 2017)

Helen McEntee: Absolutely. I thank Deputy Haughey for raising these issues. I will address the first question on the Taoiseach's optimism. It is important that we are optimistic. Obviously I cannot base his words on any specific progress that has been made since the last set of dialogues because it is only starting today. It probably takes into account the fact that in the last set of negotiations we...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Key Developments on European Agenda: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Helen McEntee (9 Nov 2017)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Vice Chairman. If I miss any questions I ask committee members to alert me and I will try to come back to them. I thank all of the members for their contributions and questions. To answer Senator Richmond on the debate on the future of Europe, which is starting next week, it has been catapulted forward because of what is happening with Brexit. While Brexit is one of our key...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Key Developments on European Agenda: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Helen McEntee (9 Nov 2017)

Helen McEntee: I did not elaborate on that as much as I should have.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Key Developments on European Agenda: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Helen McEntee (9 Nov 2017)

Helen McEntee: Absolutely. I apologise for not answering the question properly. Senator Richmond also asked it. At the General Affairs Council meeting, this was discussed. It was the key area of discussion for our informal lunch throughout the day. While the completion of the digital Single Market was a key priority, there was unanimous support for the Commission's proposals on cybersecurity at the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Key Developments on European Agenda: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Helen McEntee (9 Nov 2017)

Helen McEntee: I look forward to returning.

European Council: Statements (25 Oct 2017)

Helen McEntee: I assure the Deputy that we are putting our best foot forward in both bids, namely, the European Banking Authority and the European Medicines Agency. We feel that we have two credible bids. We are realistic, however, and we will most likely not get both although we feel that we have the ability, infrastructure, proximity and the capability to house both of them. At the moment, we are...

European Council: Statements (25 Oct 2017)

Helen McEntee: With regard to the last question, as far as I am aware the issue was not raised at last week's meetings. I can come back to the Deputy on the issue though. On the current trial, as I clearly stated, we do not agree with a lot of what is happening in Turkey. We believe that we need to keep the lines of communication open. With regard to the trial, it was brought to my attention that...

European Council: Statements (25 Oct 2017)

Helen McEntee: However, in this particular case we do not have officials there but we are keeping a close eye on it. We are keen to see the outcome because this impacts not just on those in Turkey but those outside it also.

European Council: Statements (25 Oct 2017)

Helen McEntee: I will make my contribution and then deal with the questions. I accompanied the Taoiseach to Brussels last week for the October European Council meeting. As he indicated, I will focus my remarks on the external relations items that were discussed on Thursday evening last. These included a wide-ranging discussion on EU relations with Turkey. Turkey retains candidate status and, although we...

European Council: Statements (25 Oct 2017)

Helen McEntee: No. It is my understanding in a previous scenario similar to this there was not an ability for an Irish official to attend. A similar circumstance arises now. However, officials are monitoring the situation and will continue to look at it closely. The Deputy asked what we are saying about Turkey. We have been asking that pre-accession funding to Turkey be reassessed and that it be...

Correcting Pension Inequities: Motion [Private Members] (18 Oct 2017)

Helen McEntee: Taking into account the views of Deputies on this debate so far tonight, I want to reiterate the Government's recognition of the need for fairness and equity in the provision of State pensions and the importance of the issues raised. The State pension system is of primary importance in the provision for the old age of our citizens. There are approximately 680,000 persons over 66 expected to...

Pre-European Council: Statements (18 Oct 2017)

Helen McEntee: As the Taoiseach indicated, I will focus my remarks on the external relations issues for discussion at the European Council. Then I will touch on some of the issues that were raised by the Deputies. A wide-ranging exchange on Turkey is expected on Thursday evening, while non-proliferation, specifically in regard to North Korea and Iran, will also arise. Other international relations issues...

Legal Metrology (Measuring Instruments) Bill 2017: Order for Report Stage (18 Oct 2017)

Helen McEntee: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Seanad: Future of Europe: Statements (12 Oct 2017)

Helen McEntee: I think so.

Seanad: Future of Europe: Statements (12 Oct 2017)

Helen McEntee: It is. I wish the Senators well. It is lovely. I begin by thanking the Cathaoirleach, Senator Neale Richmond and Seanad Members for inviting me to address the House today on the future of Europe. I am a firm believer that the national parliaments contribute actively to the good functioning of the European Union. The Lisbon treaty includes provisions which encourage greater involvement by...

Seanad: Future of Europe: Statements (12 Oct 2017)

Helen McEntee: I thank the House again for providing the time to allow these statements to take place today. It is clear there is great knowledge, but also a great passion, among Senators about this issue. It is clear also that, for the most part, we share the same focus on outcomes, meeting citizens' expectations and recommitting to the values that have allowed the European Union to prosper and move...

Seanad: Future of Europe: Statements (12 Oct 2017)

Helen McEntee: Any decision on a question as important as independence requires legitimacy, both in the broadest possible political terms and in terms of the legal framework. While I take the Senator's point that thousands of people believe there should be independence, there are thousands of people who would have a different view on that. It is extremely important that we allow this debate to happen...

Seanad: Future of Europe: Statements (12 Oct 2017)

Helen McEntee: I can touch on that as well. With regard to peace building, Ireland has always been to the fore on peace building. We have always championed that voice and we will continue to do so, both on the European stage and on the global. That will not change. We talk about EU co-operation being crucial. Different scenarios are being put forward on integration and the direction in which we should...

Seanad: Future of Europe: Statements (12 Oct 2017)

Helen McEntee: We must discuss trade in the wider conversation. In terms of transparency and how the European Parliament and Commission works, these are things that have been transformed in recent years. We are very proud to have Emily O'Reilly, a former Ombudsman and Information Commissioner for Ireland but now the European Ombudsman, working on our behalf and ensuring that there is transparency...

Financial Resolutions 2018 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (11 Oct 2017)

Helen McEntee: I also welcome the opportunity to contribute to this evening's debate on budget 2018. This is the first budget in ten years about which we can say that we are balancing our books. The money that is going out is equal to the money coming in. This is a significant milestone which should not be underestimated. It means that, as a country, we are moving towards more secure economic waters in...