Results 141-160 of 1,751 for at speaker:Peter Burke

Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments: Consideration of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments (21 Nov 2023)

Peter Burke: If committee members would have a little bit of patience it would be great. The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 introduced five days' leave for medical care purposes to meet the requirements under Article 6 of the directive. Under Part 4 of the 2023 Act, the code of practice on the right to request flexible working and remote working is being prepared by the...

Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments: Consideration of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments (21 Nov 2023)

Peter Burke: It is to get them as early as possible. Judging by the evidence, the committee has three directives before it at the moment if I am not mistaken. I think you have them for six or seven weeks at this juncture. The other directives that are outstanding are not due until the second half of 2024. On the evidence since the inception of this committee, I think that would be deemed reasonable.

Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments: Consideration of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments (21 Nov 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank the committee for its time. We will work proactively with it and its member to ensure they get those directives at an appropriate time. I always preface that by saying that this is me trying to work with Departments. I do not have the power to demand they do that but we will work hard to ensure they meet those targets. We will also follow up on what the Senator said about...

Committee on Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments: Consideration of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments (21 Nov 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank the Cathaoirleach. I begin by welcoming the increase in representation for the European Parliament on foot of yesterday's announcement that Ireland's representation would go from 13 seats to 14 seats, with the Midlands-North West getting this additional seat. This will be a big asset to our country in the years ahead. I am pleased to attend today’s meeting. I am joined by...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (8 Nov 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank Members for their contributions and the questions they have put forward in respect of the difficult situation that is unfolding before our eyes in the Middle East. It is horrific to see some of the pictures, scenes and videos coming from the Gaza Strip. It is an area that is exceptionally densely populated. It is just over 40 km long and 12 km wide at its widest part. Israel has...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (8 Nov 2023)

Peter Burke: .... It is totally unacceptable. We have to work through the UN, as we are doing, to try to achieve a ceasefire. We must also work through the European Union. Deputy Howlin captured the situation well when he went through the result of the vote in the UN General Assembly and spoke about how some European countries have voted subsequently. That shows the scale of the challenge the...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (8 Nov 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputies for their statements and questions. I will now address further issues that were discussed at the October European Council meeting. A strategic discussion on the situation in the Sahel was held during the European Council meeting in light of the continuing deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation in the region, aggravated by political instability. Leaders...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (26 Oct 2023)

Peter Burke: 125. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the safe routes to school project will be open again for new applications in 2023-24; what resources are in place to address road safety at our primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47067/23]

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (25 Oct 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank all Deputies for their comments. I will focus my remarks on the Sahel, Serbia and Kosovo, Nagorno-Karabakh, preparations for COP28 and damage to critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. I echo the Taoiseach's comments on the appalling situation in the Middle East. The Government condemns Hamas's brutal attack on Israel and recognises the right of Israel to defend itself but...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (11 Oct 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank the Cathaoirleach and members. I am very pleased to be before the committee again this morning to discuss the General Affairs Council. I have attended its two most recent meetings. The regular General Affairs Council took place on 19 September, and the main item for discussion was preparation for the European Council, which will take place on 26 and 27 October. The intention at...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (11 Oct 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputy Howlin. As he correctly pointed out, the news over the past number of days has been distressing. We saw a terrorist attack in the first instance. The Deputy spoke about an Irish citizen and I can confirm we are providing consular assistance directly to the family in question. We are liaising with the Israeli authorities but I have no further update on that. It is common...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (11 Oct 2023)

Peter Burke: Ireland has been very clear and consistent in its support, in the first instance, in the UN General Assembly. We have Government approval for a statement on the prolonged occupation and looking at how we can hold Israel to account in the International Court of Justice for how it has increased its settlements in the occupied territories in addition to many issues concerning the treatment of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (11 Oct 2023)

Peter Burke: I did reply. I said that in the European Council we will be consistent in our view, as we have been. We have a very strong track record in supporting de-escalation. I spoke about what we are doing through the UN General Assembly. I also spoke about holding Israel to account. I am pointing out what the Irish State is continuing to do. That is our political arm and the forum for it is at...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (11 Oct 2023)

Peter Burke: Deputy Carthy can see our track record. Over the past year, we have issued a number of statements through the Tánaiste on the occupation of the West Bank. We have been very clear in our condemnation of that. On 7 April and 9 May last, the Tánaiste issued statements. Our views have been raised at the highest level of forum, which in our case is at the Foreign Affairs Council,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (11 Oct 2023)

Peter Burke: I am just articulating international law. Every state has the right to defend itself, but I was very clear that that right comes with responsibilities for the unique position that the region is in, the position in which Palestine finds itself and the way Gaza is constructed. Two million citizens are living there and there are being subjected to risks. Actions must be in compliance with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (11 Oct 2023)

Peter Burke: Absolutely. The Senator rightly articulated the horrendous attack that unfolded at that concert, where there were so many innocent civilians. That is who there will be there. There will be families enjoying their day in an area which had no cover and no buildings. It is very flat land, as I said earlier. We have seen the horrific circumstances that unfolded and the very distressing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (11 Oct 2023)

Peter Burke: Absolutely. As I said earlier, we are providing consular assistance to her family, and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time because it will be a very difficult time. As Senator Chambers rightly said, Ireland has been to the forefront in trying to build consensus, working with our European partners, and trying to be that voice of humanitarian assistance to ensure there are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: General Affairs Council: Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (11 Oct 2023)

Peter Burke: That is what I am coming to. There are a number of formulations from different groups of countries that bring proposals together about institutional reform and what the merit-based approach should look like, considering current geopolitical uncertainties, especially with Ukraine. The Lithuanian minister and a number of experts came to an informal meeting a number of months ago, sharing what...