Results 1,681-1,700 of 18,296 for speaker:Brendan Smith

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Architects of the Good Friday Agreement: Mr. Tim O'Connor (26 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: It is wonderful to have had Mr. O'Connor with us for more than two hours. I refer to preparation. He mentioned Articles 2 and 3. It comes back to the point raised by Senator McGreehan. I remember that my party in particular was very much attached------

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Architects of the Good Friday Agreement: Mr. Tim O'Connor (26 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: The Fianna Fáil Party in government in 1937 put the Constitution before the people to be enacted by the electorate. If Bertie Ahern were to appear before the committee, he would be able to go into it in detail, but I remember that during the negotiations he met several of us back bench Deputies and Senators. He broached the subject of changing Articles 2 and 3. We said, "What?" To my...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Architects of the Good Friday Agreement: Mr. Tim O'Connor (26 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: Fianna Fáil probably had 80 Deputies and 20 Senators at the time. We were a big parliamentary party and we were all surprised when the issue was broached first. The preparatory work was done, however, and there was then no dissent whatsoever within the Fianna Fáil Party in that regard because we saw the importance of it. It was not sprung on people as a surprise. The homework...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Architects of the Good Friday Agreement: Mr. Tim O'Connor (26 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: Yes. It is a pity that more people did not listen to them. Those who were there, such as Mr. O'Connor, saw the reality and the difficulties of reaching an agreement as well as the huge amount of work and preparation that goes into it. Several members have expressed the hope that Mr. O'Connor will put down in writing his recollections so that they can be accessed and inform the history of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Architects of the Good Friday Agreement: Mr. Tim O'Connor (26 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: Again, that showed the necessity of doing the preparatory work. We were significant------

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Architects of the Good Friday Agreement: Mr. Tim O'Connor (26 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: I remember being told this in Ballyconnell at 7 a.m. on a Monday by the Taoiseach at the time. The Chairman has heard me mention on several occasions that there is a lack of respect nowadays in this country, and possibly elsewhere as well, for experience and corporate knowledge, particularly in governance. In political life at least, there is a lack of respect for the experience and...

Recent Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (25 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate. Once again, we are debating Northern Ireland issues, legacy issues and the need to implement the protocol and to deal with outstanding issues relevant to it. It is most disappointing that the institutions established by the Good Friday Agreement are not in place or working on behalf of the people at present. In recent days,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Drug Dealing (24 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: 26. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the additional measures that will be implemented by her Department and by agencies under the remit of her Department in relation to tackling the scourge of illegal drugs throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26117/22]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Cross-Border Co-operation (24 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: 51. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there are any outstanding legislative obligations for her Department arising from commitments made in the Stormont House Agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26115/22]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: School Meals Programme (24 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: 456. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if school meals are included as part of a programme for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25749/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Enterprise Support Services (19 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. I agree that substantial funding has been provided for more than 20 years with the development enterprise centres. Taking the case of my county, we have had a good track record of the local authority developing work spaces, enterprise centres and sites for providing services. They can draw down financial assistance of grant aid towards development...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Enterprise Support Services (19 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: I am thinking in particular of space for manufacturing businesses. I am thankful we have a good network hubs developed. We must think about and develop a policy on an all-Ireland basis. Last week I arranged for the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement to meet representatives from Cavan and Monaghan county councils, with a presentation on the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Enterprise Support Services (19 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: 14. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if specific additional financial supports will be introduced in 2022 to assist in the development of enterprise centres in view of their importance in providing workspace for start-up businesses and small enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25361/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Enterprise Support Services (19 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment will recall that we discussed recently in this House the need to accelerate the provision of enterprise centres and the development of work space. Enterprise centres have been important in the development of the rural economy. As the Minister of State, Deputy English, knows, in my own counties of Cavan and Monaghan there...

Written Answers — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment: Enterprise Support Services (19 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: 57. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when improved financial supports will be introduced to assist in the development of enterprise centres in view of their importance in the creation of employment opportunities in areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25362/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (19 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: 121. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the proposals to introduce new courses in further education and training on a cross-Border basis in co-operation with colleges in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25381/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Further and Higher Education (19 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: 167. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if measures under the PEACE PLUS Programme will assist in the strengthening of collaboration in further education and training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25380/22]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (19 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: 284. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if additional financial resources, both current and capital, are being provided in 2022 to enable the provision of additional special classes at primary and post primary level in areas in which there is an increasing demand for such classes (details supplied); if additional places will be available for the forthcoming school year; and if she...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disability Services (19 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: 391. To ask the Minister for Health when additional healthcare professionals (details supplied) will be recruited, in view of long delays in children receiving appropriate therapeutic-interventions and supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25651/22]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Engagement with Strive (19 May 2022)

Brendan Smith: Like colleagues, I want to welcome the witnesses and thank them for their powerful contributions. The breadth of their work is impressive and they are dealing with people who are disadvantaged, including young people who are in care or about to go into care, and some migrants as well, particularly people with educational underachievement. It is so disappointing that in this day and age,...