Results 1,621-1,640 of 9,147 for speaker:Pat Breen

Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2015)

Pat Breen: I welcome the opportunity to speak to the Bill. First, I compliment the Minister for Justice and Equality. Since assuming office, she has taken a number of initiatives to support the Garda and to strengthen the law to get tougher on criminals. The combination of policing reforms and legislative changes are testament to the determination of the Minister and this Government to tackle crime...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Eligibility (26 Nov 2015)

Pat Breen: 40. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application for a disability allowance will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42089/15]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (25 Nov 2015)

Pat Breen: There are two motions before the joint committee. Motion No. 5 concerns the appointment of honorary consulates in Australia. Senator Daly has submitted two motions. Before calling on Senator Daly to move the motions, I should say to him this may be a question the Senator could ask the Minister today, rather than tabling a motion on it. The Minister will answer the matter for the Senator...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (25 Nov 2015)

Pat Breen: The Senator is talking about Melbourne and Brisbane. Is that correct?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (25 Nov 2015)

Pat Breen: Is the Senator discussing the first or second motion?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (25 Nov 2015)

Pat Breen: Can we deal with the first motion, after which I then will move on to the second motion?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (25 Nov 2015)

Pat Breen: Is the Senator willing to ask the Minister directly on that issue?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (25 Nov 2015)

Pat Breen: Very well, that motion then is not moved. The next motion for members, which I also received from Senator Daly, is to provide direct contact numbers for Irish embassies and staff throughout the world to enable Members to better help citizens. Members are provided with direct numbers for divisions in other Departments and a similar system should be in place for the Department of Foreign...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (25 Nov 2015)

Pat Breen: The only point I can make in this regard is I also have dealt with a number of such cases and I note a duty officer is on duty at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (25 Nov 2015)

Pat Breen: I merely am stating there is a duty officer on duty all the time in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on a 24-7 basis. If an emergency crops up, he or she can be called and that duty officer has a link person at each embassy around the world who is on duty 24-7. I have done it that way and have found it to be robust and quick. I got through and the people concerned got back to me...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (25 Nov 2015)

Pat Breen: One reason this system is easier is because, given that people are getting up in the morning or going to bed at night in different time zones, it is much easier for the Department to have a person who is on duty in each embassy on a 24-7 basis throughout the world. The duty officer in Dublin can then contact this person and ask him or her to revert to one immediately. Has the Senator...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (25 Nov 2015)

Pat Breen: But where was the problem? Was it in Dublin or in the country the Senator rang?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (25 Nov 2015)

Pat Breen: Did the Senator not try the duty officer in Dublin?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (25 Nov 2015)

Pat Breen: The Senator did not find that to be satisfactory.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (25 Nov 2015)

Pat Breen: No, that is a bit unfair because I really have-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (25 Nov 2015)

Pat Breen: Because of my position, people are aware that I am associated with foreign affairs and trade. I have found that any time I have rung that number or any embassy, I never have had any problem. I have found people to be most co-operative and helpful and that they came back to me immediately. I have dealt with deaths abroad, as well as people who have been involved in accidents abroad. I even...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (25 Nov 2015)

Pat Breen: I would be very surprised if that is the case.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (25 Nov 2015)

Pat Breen: Did anybody come back to the Senator?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (25 Nov 2015)

Pat Breen: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Business of Joint Committee (25 Nov 2015)

Pat Breen: The Senator has withdrawn the motion. As I stated, he also can ask the Minister, who I believe is waiting outside anyway. The timing is good for the end of this part of the meeting.