Results 19,881-19,900 of 26,245 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Other Questions: EU Migration Crisis (22 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: 27. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the proposed EU-Libya migration deal; his further views on the conditions in Libya and its ability to provide a secure and safe haven for refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8697/17]

Other Questions: EU Migration Crisis (22 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: As the Minister will know, I have been very critical of the EU-Turkey arrangement and the move towards further third party arrangements between the EU and other countries. With that in mind, I ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the proposed EU-Libya migration deal. Does he have concerns about Libya's ability to provide a secure and safe haven for refugees? Will the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Good Friday Agreement (22 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: 23. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will confirm that when he stated in his recent press statement on 14 February 2017 that it is essential that none of the human rights protections or frameworks underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement are disturbed by any changes that are consequent to a Brexit agreement, that this includes the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and all the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Good Friday Agreement (22 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: When the Minister said in a press conference on 14 February last that it "is essential that none of the human rights protections or frameworks underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement are disturbed by any changes that are consequent from a Brexit agreement", does that include the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and all the human rights and constitutional protections therein which give effect to the...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Good Friday Agreement (22 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: We all agree that at the core of the Good Friday Agreement is a commitment to incorporate the European Convention on Human Rights. We must ensure that what has been agreed and voted on by the people of the island North and South is sustained and not in any way diminished as a result of the Brexit negotiations. In particular, we must advocate for the ongoing realisation of the rights of...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Good Friday Agreement (22 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: To be honest, the Minister's position is not clear. I asked him if he supports the introduction of a bill of rights in Northern Ireland. He said he supports the Good Friday Agreement, as I do.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Good Friday Agreement (22 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: That is super. Will he ensure the Irish Government vindicates those rights during the negotiations regarding Brexit? The Minister will recall that last week the Dáil, on foot of a Sinn Féin motion as amended by Fianna Fáil, called on the Government to seek special status for Northern Ireland as part of its negotiations with Europe and as part of the European bloc's...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Dáil Reform (22 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: Remember him?

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Passport Applications (22 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: 21. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current processing times for the passport service; the steps that have been taken and the resources allocated to deal with the increased demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8823/17]

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Passport Applications (22 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: I am sure the Minister is aware, as I am, of the difficulties being experienced within the passport service. I tabled this question to afford the Minister an opportunity to update the House on the current turnaround times, processing times, the resources that are allocated to the passport service and the additional resources he has planned, if at all possible. I am sure the Minister is...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Passport Applications (22 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: Regarding the renewal of applications within 15 days, I do not believe all of those are being met. Online appointments are limited, as the Minister said, and it is not a real option for people. I welcome the fact that he will issue an up-to-date note but my particular issue with this is that the figures for last year show there was an increase of almost 10%, with 740,000 passports being...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Priority Questions: Passport Applications (22 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: It is important that we recognise that there is a problem. I raised this matter with the Minister on 15 December 2016. I welcome the fact that additional resources are in place but permanent additional resources are needed. I would support the Minister in his efforts to do that because if the turnaround time for passport renewals is 15 working days, that is not the evidence I have...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Prisoners Abroad (22 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: 34. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the new efforts his Department will make to secure the release of a person (details supplied) whose trial has been postponed for the 19th time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8546/17]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (22 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: 49. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised the issue at EU Foreign Affairs Council meetings of the demolition in Palestine of structures provided for by humanitarian aid and EU member states; if any course of action has been decided upon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8548/17]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (22 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: 146. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the comments made by the US President, Mr. Trump, during his meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister regarding the two-state solution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8868/17]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Agreements (22 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: 151. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the countries that have an association agreement with the European Union in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8960/17]

Public Services and Procurement (Social Value) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: It has been once or twice.

Public Services and Procurement (Social Value) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: Absolutely. On a more serious note this is important legislation. It follows on from the work we did in 2015. Fianna Fáil has been consistent. We are asking the Minister of State to do what the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, did by accepting this Bill, but moving it on and bringing it into law.

Public Services and Procurement (Social Value) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (21 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: I commend Deputy Frank O'Rourke for proposing this Bill. He has done much work in engaging with the various sectors affected by this issue. I looked back over the work of the last Oireachtas to find that the only Bill to pass all Stages in the Seanad was the Public Services and Procurement (Social Value) Bill 2015, which Senator Marc MacSharry co-sponsored. It was from that Bill that we...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Joint Sitting with Joint Committee on European Union Affairs
First Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr. Frans Timmermans: Discussion (21 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: It is good that the Commissioner is here. I would like him to be clear that most of us would not agree with having a bilateral arrangement or negotiations with Britain. I rejected that on behalf of my party when it was floated following the report from the House of Lords. I, on behalf of my party, rejected this when it was floated after the publication of the House of Lords report. It...