Results 381-400 of 1,212 for speaker:Dara Murphy

European Council: Statements (27 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: I have a concluding statement but if I read it, I will not get to answer any of the questions that have been raised. To answer Deputy Crowe, the issue of our individual tax arrangements was not discussed at the European Council and there was consequently no discussion on any company based here. We defend our tax system rigorously. We have obviously made moves in support of international...

European Council: Statements (27 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: -----with respect to trying to reduce the crisis and uphold international law. In that regard, it is frankly ridiculous to try to introduce other issues which are irrelevant. It has always been the case that there would be a scale towards sanctions. That has been the Irish position. Unfortunately, however, more recent events would suggest that unless we see an improvement and maybe an...

EU Association Agreement with Georgia: Motion (27 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: I move:That Dáil Éireann approves the terms of the Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their member states, of the one part, and Georgia, of the other part, signed at Brussels on 27 June 2014, a copy of which was laid before the Dáil on 9 December 2014.”These motions were considered last week by the Select...

European Council: Statements (27 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: I will begin by dealing with Deputy Boyd Barrett's rather long question. Some other questions were asked by Deputies Martin, Adams and Crowe, as well as by the various Technical Group speakers, during the first part of this debate. Obviously we have a new Government now in Greece. It is very much at the early stage. We have to welcome the clear statement by the new Greek Prime Minister,...

European Council: Statements (27 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: The private sector was involved in the restructuring of Greek debt in 2012. It was recognised at that time that Greece could not pay. Our debt burden has been significantly eased by policies adopted by our European colleagues through the self-same negotiation. These included the promissory note deal, lengthening of maturities on the European Financial Stability Facility, EFSF, and European...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Human Rights Issues (22 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: As the Minister, Deputy Charles Flanagan, stated in response to an earlier question, we all are aware that the issue of prisoners is a sensitive and complex one, but in this instances decisions on such specific matters continue to fall within the jurisdiction of the Spanish authorities and courts and need to be determined within their legal and constitutional provisions. As such, I must...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (22 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: I thank Deputy Smith for his question and his interest in this area. Of course, he is correct that this is a serious situation in Ukraine. In July and September 2014, the EU agreed a package of restrictive measures against the Russian Federation on access to capital markets, trade in arms, dual use goods and access to sensitive technologies, particularly in the field of energy. When...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (22 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: There were two elements to Deputy Smith's supplementary. First, as he will be aware, the current sanctions are having an impact and, as I stated, they remain the key element of the European Union's approach to the crisis. We have always stated that Ireland believes restrictive measures are scalable, in both directions. They can be strengthened or eased depending on developments on the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (22 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: With respect to developing markets, the Deputy will be aware that, in December last, senior officials at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine met their counterparts in Moscow to discuss the temporary restrictions not covered by the presidential ban. As I stated, there has been some success. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Deputy Coveney, led a trade mission...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Human Rights Issues (22 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: I thank the Deputy for his question. I am aware of the circumstances surrounding the recent arrest of a number of individuals, including lawyers, in the Basque country and also in Madrid on 12 January. However, as the issues involved are being examined by the Spanish courts, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the cases referred to. More broadly, the Government continues to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Human Rights Issues (22 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: As I stated, I will not be drawn into discussing the specifics of this matter which is one for the Spanish Government. However, in general, it is true that everyone is entitled to legal representation and that all of us, legal representatives and others, are subject to national law. The Deputy referred to similarities between the peace process in the North and the situation in the Basque...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Issues (22 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: It would not be appropriate for me to comment in this House on the draft legislation currently under consideration in the Spanish Parliament to which the Deputy referred in her question.

Terrorist Attack in Paris: Statements (14 Jan 2015)

Dara Murphy: I join the Taoiseach, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and other speakers in conveying my sympathies to the people of France. The horrific attacks on Paris last week touched everybody deeply in Ireland, across Europe and throughout the world. It was a trauma for the French people, Europeans collectively and everybody who values democracy and freedom. I take this opportunity,...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (17 Dec 2014)

Dara Murphy: I also join with other Deputies here in extending my sympathies and condemning the horrendous acts yesterday in Pakistan which resulted in so many deaths. While I attended yesterday's meeting of the General Affairs Council which prepares the European Council agenda, events were unfolding. I have no doubt that they will be discussed by the Taoiseach and others at the European Council...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (17 Dec 2014)

Dara Murphy: That is the point of encouraging the private sector. The Deputy is all over the place.

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (17 Dec 2014)

Dara Murphy: There are more people at work.

Palestine: Motion [Private Members] (9 Dec 2014)

Dara Murphy: I welcome the opportunity to speak this evening and recognise the motion as a positive contribution to a discussion here in the Dáil. The terms of the motion are carefully worded, and there is a great deal in it that reflects consistent Irish Government policies, under different parties, and that will command support across the House. This is supported by the initial comments from the...

Topical Issue Debate: Passport Controls (9 Dec 2014)

Dara Murphy: As already stated, no one would in any way suggest that civil engineers are not capable of fulfilling this very important function. I also indicated earlier that there is a need to have a generic or broad list of individuals from groups throughout the world who are clearly identifiable. It is not really intended that the list can never change. However, such a change is not envisaged at...

Topical Issue Debate: Passport Controls (9 Dec 2014)

Dara Murphy: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. The Passports Act 2008 requires that before issuing a passport to a child, the passport service should be satisfied that each person who is a guardian of the child consents to the issue of a passport to that child. Section 7 of the passport application form addresses this issue by requiring all guardians to confirm their consent in...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Economic Management Council Meetings (9 Dec 2014)

Dara Murphy: Did the members of that Cabinet discuss the fact that the economy was spiralling out of control and that jobs were being lost?