Results 19,181-19,200 of 26,245 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: We can do it when we are not under time pressure.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: I understand that. That is fair enough. We can reschedule it. The Minister referred to the consular staff and the service in particular, and the work that is being done here in Dublin by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. I want to record my appreciation of this. Unfortunately, we all have instances where tragedies happen to families that we represent. The professionalism,...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: I have some very quick questions on the requirement for a public services card for a passport. I know we have thrown a lot at the Minister. I very much welcome the fact that the Minister will publish what he is going to do in 2019 with regard to the opening of new embassies and consulates. If the footprint also includes, which it does, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the Ireland House...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: So the Department is looking at all of this. I will leave it at that.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: There is an absolute necessity to increase the figure substantially. I also agree with the Minister that we should increase the level of official development assistance, but within the overall budget for foreign affairs we could do a lot more than provide €11.59 million and I believe there is the political will to do so. I asked how many of the 490 applicants had to be turned away...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: There is much in this programme which is crucial. The 17.5% increase is absolutely required and we fully understand the reason for it. We could have a full discussion on the programme and its priority. I know that the Tánaiste must report to other committees also, but at the appropriate time it would be really useful for him to come back to speak about the programme, particularly the...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: I have a question about the destruction of UNRWA-funded and Irish Aid-funded schools in the West Bank. The Minister has received correspondence on that and it was raised previously. Have we or UNRWA received any compensation from the Israelis for UNRWA-funded or Irish Aid-funded schools that were destroyed recently?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: I thought so.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: I believe it was an Irish Aid funded school the last time.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: Recently, and the officials will know about this and I received correspondence and pictures about it, a school that was co-funded by the Irish Government was demolished by the Israelis. The Minister is aware of that. I know the Minister raised it with the Israelis but has he received a response on any compensation?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: The office can be named after him.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: We have discussed this before and I welcome the stated commitment to get back on track to reach the 0.7% target. I know that there is a real opportunity now to seize the goodwill that is there and to seize the political consensus, certainly through this committee, which was evident at the report launch. It is a valuable report. When the Minister of State is working on the White Paper he...

Diaspora Issues: Statements (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: That should be expedited because access to health insurance is a big issue for people, particularly those with young families. I have had to write to the VHI, the country's largest insurer, regarding specific cases and I have sent examples to the Department. I would welcome the statutory instrument. Perhaps the Minister of State can advise on the timeframe for its introduction. There...

Diaspora Issues: Statements (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister of State for his detailed contribution and welcome the publication of the Indecon report. I have raised this matter with the Minister of State at the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade and have tabled parliamentary questions on a number of occasions. I commend the Minister of State on the work he has done. I do not often say this to Government Ministers but he has...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: 9. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if sexual harassment complaints have been received in relation to Irish Aid or other agencies tasked with delivering ODA and funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10852/18]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: 10. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the procedures his Department has in place to protect against the staff of aid agencies being involved in sexual abuse and exploitation; if he is reviewing their procedures in view of reports of same in the media with a view to improving them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10853/18]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ministerial Meetings (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: 11. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the recent meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11077/18]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: 12. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the Rohingya; the efforts being made by the EU and the international community to address the humanitarian crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11078/18]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: 13. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the recent kidnappings of a number of school girls by Boko Haram; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11079/18]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Undocumented Irish in the USA (8 Mar 2018)

Darragh O'Brien: 14. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on recent meetings held by the Government's special envoy to the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11080/18]