Results 41-60 of 34,338 for speaker:Seán Fleming

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (27 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: 601. To ask the Minister for Health when nursing and midwife staff will be excluded from the employment embargo in the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9215/24]

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Motion (21 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: First, I thank Senators Black, Ruane, Flynn and Higgins for bringing forward this motion here today. It should be generally understood by now but I confirm that the Government is not opposing the motion. It is a very extensive motion that condemns a number of actions. It notes, with grave concern, a number of other issue, further regrets several other items and further notes a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Death Certificates (21 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: I have asked officials at our Embassy in Pretoria to follow up with the South African authorities responsible for the issuing of death certificates, on the basis of the details provided. The Department will also liaise with the Embassy of South Africa here in Dublin on the matter. When I have further details on the case, I will communicate with the Deputy.

Seanad: Situation in the Middle East: Statements (Resumed) (20 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: I thank Senators for their statements, which have addressed many of the pressing concerns of the Irish people on the horrific situation in the Middle East. We know the devastating human loss that the war in the Gaza Strip has caused. Since October, 100,000 people have been killed or injured, or are missing. The vast proportion of the population of Gaza is displaced and international...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (20 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has experienced periodic conflict over many decades, with increasing insecurity and violence in eastern DRC. Elections were held in DRC in December 2023, in the context of a ceasefire that largely held, and President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi was re-elected. However, tensions between the DRC and Rwanda have remained at a high level. The...

Recent Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (14 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Chair for the opportunity today for this House to consider recent developments in Northern Ireland. I take good note of all the points raised by Deputies in the course of our debate. While we may sometimes differ on points of emphasis or perspective, I know that all Members of this House are united in wanting to see the power-sharing institutions operate as effectively as...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Election Monitoring Missions (14 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: The Department of Foreign Affairs maintains and administers a voluntary roster of suitably skilled and vetted individuals who are available to participate at short notice in election observation missions organised by the European Union and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Ireland's current five-year international Election Observation Roster was established on 1...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Election Monitoring Missions (14 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: The Department of Foreign Affairs maintains and administers a voluntary roster of suitably skilled and vetted individuals who are available to participate at short notice in election observation missions (EOM’s) organised by the European Union (EU) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Short term observers generally spend up to eight days in the...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Diplomatic Representation (14 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: Ethiopia is Ireland’s largest bilateral international development partner. In 2022, we provided some €40 million in development and humanitarian assistance, through programmes managed by our Embassy in Addis Ababa and through NGO and international partners. Our assistance supports development priorities related to health and education, women’s economic empowerment,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (13 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: Ireland and South Africa have had a warm and enduring friendship over thirty years of diplomatic relations. We have had important shared moments in our histories. South Africa is a major partner for Ireland and Europe in Africa, with a key leadership role in regional peace, security and economic initiatives. South Africa is a key market for Ireland on the continent and our Embassy in...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Public Transport (8 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: I again thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The Minister for Transport believes that expanding the public transport network and increasing service levels throughout the country will lead to a more balanced service being provided across the entire country, especially into the built-up areas at the edge of Dublin city. It is also significant to point out the growth in passengers on that...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Sites (8 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: I reiterate that the OPW is not seeking to bring significant volumes of traffic through the Celbridge gate and the lime avenue. The OPW envisages the lime avenue operating as a pedestrian-priority road in line with current practice across numerous OPW sites, such as St. Stephen's Green and Farmleigh. The OPW has given written commitments that the volume of traffic will be approximately 20...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Public Transport (8 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: I thank Deputy Lahart for raising the important topic of the inadequate and inconsistent Luas red line services to Citywest. I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan. I will clarify that the Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport, but neither the Minister nor his officials are involved in the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Early Childhood Care and Education (8 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Deputy for her contribution. A number of safety nets are in place to ensure that all services can remain sustainable and are adequately supported, including a case management support system. It is important that I put that on the record. The Department of children oversees the case management process through which the local city or county childcare committee, CCC, and Pobal...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Heritage Sites (8 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: I thank Deputy Durkan for his ongoing interest in Castletown House and estate. He has raised this issue on a number of occasions in the House, representing the local community and the people affected by the situation. In October 2023, the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Deputy O'Donovan, initiated a working group to progress the reuniting of the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Early Childhood Care and Education (8 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: I thank Deputy Mairéad Farrell for raising this issue and offering the opportunity to respond on behalf of the Minister. First of all, tá brón orm a rá nach bhfuil mórán Gaeilge agam agus gur mhaith liom an cheist a fhreagairt as Béarla. With State funding in early learning and childcare at an all-time high, and set to reach €1.109 billion this...

Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2023: Referral to Select Committee (8 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach pursuant to Standing Orders 95(3)(a) and 181(1).

Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (8 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: I welcome the opportunity to respond. I thank Deputies for their contributions to the debate and their constructive engagement on this legislation. First, I acknowledge the final point made by Deputy Alan Farrell in respect of what many would see as double taxation. People are taxed on the income that helped to contribute to their pension and then they are taxed again when they receive the...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Conservation (8 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: I thank Senator Denis O'Donovan for raising this issue. It is obviously an issue which is close to his heart. He represents people in his area when he raises it here in the House. It is an issue that is cropping up in every county in Ireland. I am speaking on behalf of the Minister. The climate action plan and the national retrofit plan set ambitious targets to retrofit the equivalent of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Conservation (8 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: I listened carefully to what Senator O'Donovan said and I absolutely take on board the point he raised concerning the limited number of people who can provide BER certificates. This can cause a logjam. I will take this point back to the Minister and ask if additional people can be added to that list to ensure people's applications can be dealt with earlier. I think this is a fair point and...