Results 13,521-13,540 of 15,493 for speaker:Helen McEntee

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Diplomatic Representation (21 Sep 2017)

Helen McEntee: I thank Deputy O'Brien for raising this issue. The ambition set out by the Taoiseach to double Ireland’s global footprint by 2025 reflects the scale and the complexity of the challenges we face in the years ahead. These include Brexit related challenges but also those from growing protectionism internationally, the need to continue the fight for justice, peace, equality and for...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Diplomatic Representation (21 Sep 2017)

Helen McEntee: Thank you very much.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Diplomatic Representation (21 Sep 2017)

Helen McEntee: Thank you.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Diplomatic Representation (21 Sep 2017)

Helen McEntee: The Deputy is correct that Ireland currently has 80 diplomatic and consular offices. We have 961 diplomatic staff employed abroad and have relations with 178 different countries. When the Taoiseach speaks about doubling our footprint, that does not necessarily mean doubling the number of offices or doubling the budget. It is about ensuring that what we have currently is working and that we...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Diplomatic Representation (21 Sep 2017)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy has said, Ireland is a small, open economy. We need to promote our own interests proactively on the international stage, particularly in the context of Brexit. The Taoiseach has spoken very openly about the possibility of offices in New Zealand, Vancouver and Mumbai, to name but a few. We cannot get into the specifics at the moment because we do not yet know the locations for...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Brexit Negotiations (21 Sep 2017)

Helen McEntee: Obviously, we had quite an indepth discussion on this earlier this morning, during which we also heard the personal views of Mr. Guy Verhofstadt, MEP. That said, I will outline the current position. There have been three rounds of negotiations to date, with the most recent round concluding on 31 August. As this is the first phase of negotiations, and in line with the agreed sequencing, the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Special Meeting of the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs meeting with the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence and the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement
Engagement with Mr. Guy Verhofstadt MEP, European Parliament Brexit Co-ordinator (21 Sep 2017)

Helen McEntee: On my own behalf as the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, but also on behalf of the Government, I sincerely welcome Mr. Verhofstadt and his team to Ireland and to the Oireachtas. I welcome our Members of the European Parliament and all the invited guests. I thank our committee chairs and committee members for organising what has already been described as a unique...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Special Meeting of the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs meeting with the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence and the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement
Engagement with Mr. Guy Verhofstadt MEP, European Parliament Brexit Co-ordinator (21 Sep 2017)

Helen McEntee: On my own behalf as the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, but also on behalf of the Government, I sincerely welcome Mr. Verhofstadt and his team to Ireland and to the Oireachtas. I welcome our Members of the European Parliament and all the invited guests. I thank our committee chairs and committee members for organising what has already been described as a unique...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Special Meeting of the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs meeting with the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence and the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement
Engagement with Mr. Guy Verhofstadt MEP, European Parliament Brexit Co-ordinator (21 Sep 2017)

Helen McEntee: On my own behalf as the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, but also on behalf of the Government, I sincerely welcome Mr. Verhofstadt and his team to Ireland and to the Oireachtas. I welcome our Members of the European Parliament and all the invited guests. I thank our committee chairs and committee members for organising what has already been described as a unique...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Travel (21 Sep 2017)

Helen McEntee: I can confirm that the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade plans to visit the Horn of Africa region in early November where he will meet with national political leaders and the heads of regional organisations such as the Africa Union. Ireland maintains strong political, economic and development ties through our Embassies in Ethiopia and Kenya. These will be further enhanced by the...

Framework Agreement between the EU and the Republic of the Philippines: Motion (13 Jul 2017)

Helen McEntee: I move:That Dáil Éireann approves the terms of the Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of the Philippines, of the other part, signed at Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on 11th July, 2012, a copy of which was laid before the Dáil on 1st June, 2017.

Seanad: Report of Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union: Motion (12 Jul 2017)

Helen McEntee: I thank the members of the Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union for their work on this report. I particularly welcome the report’s focus on potential solutions and its efforts to point towards tangible outcomes. It draws on a range of views from a wide cross-section of participants and is an important contribution to the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Agenda Developments: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (5 Jul 2017)

Helen McEntee: I thank the Chairman and members for their well wishes. I agree it is important we have a strong relationship and that there is strong engagement between us. I am at the disposal of the Chairman and members should they need me at the committee. I am delighted to be here today, the first time I have had the pleasure of being before this committee since I was appointed Minister of State with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Agenda Developments: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (5 Jul 2017)

Helen McEntee: I try.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Agenda Developments: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (5 Jul 2017)

Helen McEntee: I will try to condense my response and I can return to issues if necessary. We will have other opportunities for engagement. I thank all members for their good wishes. I also thank Deputy Dara Murphy for the work he has done in the role previously. I pay tribute to Malta on the role it has played in the previous Presidency and wish Estonia well in its Presidency. I am certain that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Agenda Developments: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (5 Jul 2017)

Helen McEntee: With regard to the fisheries issue, I share members' concerns. This is part of the negotiation process and nothing can happen within the two years. I know that the Minister, Deputy Creed is very conscious of this matter and is already dealing with it, with his Department. Obviously I will work very closely with him on this. On security and defence, Ireland's neutrality has never come...

European Council: Statements (28 Jun 2017)

Helen McEntee: In regard to the earlier questions on jobs, enterprise and trade, the first phase of the negotiations are particularly focusing on EU citizens' rights and the UK's bill for leaving the European Union. Many of these discussions will take place at the next phase. Up to 40% of businesses in Ireland have started to make plans regarding the possible threats or advantages from Brexit. However,...

European Council: Statements (28 Jun 2017)

Helen McEntee: There is no question of Irish money going into something we do not support, and Ireland will continue to watch this very carefully. The meeting dealt with whether the EIB should examine ways to support investment in defence research and development activities, but there has been no definitive agreement on this as of yet.

European Council: Statements (28 Jun 2017)

Helen McEntee: Ireland's neutrality will not be conflicted but we need to invest more in conflict resolution with other member states. The EU global strategy sets out a vision for the EU foreign and security policy and commits the European Union to promoting peace, prosperity, democracy and the rule of law. We need to play our part in that. The Deputy referred to statements regarding Turkey, but this is...

European Council: Statements (28 Jun 2017)

Helen McEntee: The Taoiseach confirmed earlier today that this is a priority for us, as it needs to be for many of the companies involved, which I will not name but are based in Ireland. There was a lot of discussion on jobs, growth and competitiveness, and the development of the digital Single Market strategy is a key priority, not least for Estonia which is taking over the Presidency. There is talk of...