Results 13,481-13,500 of 15,493 for speaker:Helen McEntee

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...

Topical Issue Debate: Catalan Referendum (21 Sep 2017)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Ireland enjoys very close relations with Spain. These relations are, of course, deeper and more textured than simply involving periodic government-to-government relations, developing trade ties or occasional encounters at multilateral events. Our close friendship has at its heart an empathy nurtured by generations of contacts between our people....

Topical Issue Debate: Catalan Referendum (21 Sep 2017)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for his response. I have listened to his contributions. My view is that Spanish citizens should be allowed to determine for themselves, using their own democratic institutions and legal safeguards, what their preferred arrangements within their own country will be. The range of options or opinions on the issue of Catalonia is to be expected. I am grateful to have the...

Topical Issue Debate: Middle East Issues (21 Sep 2017)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As he knows, he Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was notified immediately by one of the persons concerned about their deportation. They have since written to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, and his Department has further discussed the events with some of them to get a clear picture of what happened. The...

Topical Issue Debate: Middle East Issues (21 Sep 2017)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Deputy. With regard to the timeframe, our officials were in contact immediately after this happened and, as I said, are in constant communication with the relevant authorities. It is currently a Jewish holiday, and while that may delay things, we would expect to have a response as quickly as possible. While the deportation of pro-Palestinian activists from Israel is not...

Other Questions: Human Rights (21 Sep 2017)

Helen McEntee: Regarding the freedom of the city, it is a matter for Dublin City Council. It was a decision made by the council in the first place, so any decision on this has to be taken by it.

Other Questions: Human Rights (21 Sep 2017)

Helen McEntee: The Government absolutely condemns the violence that is taking place, including the attacks by the Salvation Army or the "excessive actions" of the security forces. We absolutely condemn this violence. I was asked about the Irish position. As a member of the European Union, Ireland is seeking to find solutions both in a bilateral context, with Myanmar, and via participation at...

Other Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (21 Sep 2017)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy is right this needs to be a priority and remain a priority for the Irish Government. When the Taoiseach spoke to President Trump this was an issue he raised. As the Deputy mentioned, the appointment of Deputy Deasy is significant. He has already made two substantive visits since his appointment. One of them was at the end of July and one was at the beginning of September. He...

Other Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (21 Sep 2017)

Helen McEntee: Deputy Deasy will work under the overall direction of the Minister, Deputy Coveney, and the Minister of State, Deputy Ciaran Cannon. He will work closely with, and will be supported by, the recently appointed Irish ambassador to the United States, H.E. Dan Mulhall, as well as the embassy of Ireland in Washington DC and our consulates throughout the United States. The Deputy is right to...

Other Questions: Human Rights (21 Sep 2017)

Helen McEntee: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 to 18, inclusive, 21, 22, 25, 32, 41 and 42 together. The Government condemns the violence has taken place in Rakhine State. This includes the attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, and the excessive actions which the Myanmar security forces have undertaken in response. It is imperative that an end is brought to this violence. I reiterate...

Other Questions: Human Rights (21 Sep 2017)

Helen McEntee: The Deputies are correct in saying that every effort was made to ensure that Ibrahim was brought home. There were ten engagements with the Taoiseach at presidential level, 20 direct engagements at foreign ministry level and we had up to 40 members of staff from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade working on this case at any given time and around 20,000 person-hours were spent on this...

Other Questions: Human Rights (21 Sep 2017)

Helen McEntee: I pay tribute to this extraordinary young man, Ibrahim Halawa, for his maturity, strength of character and his resilience and to his family, friends and all those who supported him through this time.

Other Questions: Undocumented Irish in the USA (21 Sep 2017)

Helen McEntee: The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Minister of State with responsibility for the diaspora and international development are acutely aware of the very understandable concerns which exist among members of the Irish community in the US in light of recent developments. The changed political landscape in the US has resulted in a renewed focus on the plight of the many millions...

Other Questions: Humanitarian Access (21 Sep 2017)

Helen McEntee: Deportation officials in Ireland have the same rights as any other deportation officials to make a call. As a Government, however, we need to closely observe what has happened here and the fact they are possibly pursuing a more aggressive policy on deportations. This impacts on the four individuals now. They may apply to return to Israel in the future but we expect that they would be...

Other Questions: Human Rights (21 Sep 2017)

Helen McEntee: The national plan on business and human rights was approved by Government in July and will be launched by the Minister, Deputy Coveney, within the next few weeks. Ireland will be the 16th country in the world, and the 12th EU member state, to adopt a national plan on business and human rights. The publication of the national plan meets a commitment made by the previous Government in June...

Other Questions: Human Rights (21 Sep 2017)

Helen McEntee: Touching on the delay, the Deputy has outlined some of its stages. It began at the Department's annual NGO forum on human rights in November 2014 and continued as further consultations took place throughout 2015. This included workshops with business and civil society representatives. In February 2015 following the public consultation it received over 30 submissions which had to be...

Other Questions: Human Rights (21 Sep 2017)

Helen McEntee: There will be a deadline for the implementation of this plan. The business and human rights implementation group, which will comprises representatives of Government, the business community and civil society, will take forward the implementation of the actions in this plan and it is proposed that the implementation group will meet twice yearly over the first three years to review the...