Results 19,901-19,920 of 26,245 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

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: I asked about state aid. That is important.

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: Okay. I thank Mr. Timmermans.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Strength (21 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: 99. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the Garda numbers for the Malahide Garda station in north Dublin for each of the years 2005 to 2010, inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8351/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (21 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: 214. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the serious lack of primary school places in Swords, County Dublin, where hundreds of children cannot gain access to junior infants; the steps he and his Department are taking to address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8536/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Accommodation Provision (21 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: 215. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide the necessary school accommodation and resources to meet the additional demand for primary school places in Swords, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8537/17]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Disability Allowance Payments (21 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: 287. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if his Department has received a sum of £836.39 sterling from the UK Department for Work and Pensions in respect of a payment due to a person (details supplied); when his Department will pay that money to the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8055/17]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (21 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: 334. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has spoken to the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, recently. [6717/17]

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (16 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: I apologise for being late. I have read the Minister's statement and wish to raise two points. I am sure the Department was aware that there would be an increase in passport applications. I heard on the media this morning that the Minister intends to employ additional staff in the passport service, although that is not specifically alluded to in his address. How many extra staff does he...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (16 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister for his comments. I note provision has been made for a 7% increase in salaries and wages next year. Perhaps the Minister or Mr. Gormley will answer my questions on staffing. Will the Department advertise for additional staff and if so, how many? Recruitment was reported on RTE, the national broadcaster. Not everything RTE says is true but it might be in this...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (16 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: The Minister indicated in his statement that he has spoken at least once to every other EU foreign Minister. That is crucial. I know he intends to keep that engagement going. How many bilateral meetings does the Taoiseach have left to do with his counterparts? I understand from questions to him yesterday that he may have done one third of the meetings. What plans are there to ramp up...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (16 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: I appreciate that the Minister has kept us informed of the meetings happening within the Department. Speaking from an Opposition perspective, I say that we need more briefings from officials to other parties and groupings in the Dáil. I am not just talking about the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, but of all relevant Departments. That aspect needs to be strengthened, in...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (16 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: I absolutely agree with the Chairman. It is not just the responsibility of the Government. We all have a role, including Members and officials. We all know the unique relationship between Ireland and Britain. I take it from the responses that Ireland will not seek special status for the North of Ireland in a European context. We are effectively saying that the British Government has...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (16 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: I understand that, Chairman. I understand what the Minister is saying, which is that because it would be difficult to achieve, we are not going to try. The largest number of EU citizens who will be outside the European Union will reside in the Six Counties, in the North of Ireland, post Brexit. It is totally unique. The EU will understand that it is unique. There are difficulties with...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (16 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister for outlining the issues. I support the ongoing work of our Defence Forces in peacekeeping throughout the world. They are a credit to the country and we are all very proud of them. With regard to the human rights element to which the Minister alluded, what is Ireland's view on the proposed third country arrangements between the EU and Libya? I have been critical of...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (16 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: No, to clarify, I do not make such a charge against the Minister. I asked whether since the recent announcements of the expanded settlements we had been formally in contact with the Israelis but I do not lay a charge at the Minister's door that he has not spoken out in the past.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (16 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: I fully agree with the Minister on the trade promotion element and that trade is now firmly embedded within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. That is important. It is logical and it makes sense. To follow on from what the Chairman has said, I would like to ask the Minister about the new trade strategy. When it is published, what will the process be? Will the Minister being...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (16 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: Ministers who were there in the interregnum did not-----

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (16 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: I get the Minister's point of St. Patrick's Day. I was alluding to the number of trade missions excluding the St. Patrick's Day programme. Minster-led missions went from 34 to 18. Was that basically a result of the election?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (16 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: Yes, last year.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (16 Feb 2017)

Darragh O'Brien: I want to add to Deputy Noel Grealish's sentiments. There are exceptional people working in the consular services who are a credit to the country, particularly when one sees them working on the ground. It has been consistently recognised, but this year will be more challenging for many of our embassies, particularly in Europe. There is never a problem with the consular services and the...