Results 1-20 of 2,832 for speaker:Colm Brophy

Negotiations on an Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan: Motion (11 Jun 2025)

Colm Brophy: We are not outsourcing to the EU. We are part of the European Union. It is important that we acknowledge that and a common approach is the best, which is why we have opted in to the European asylum and migration pact. It is also worth noting, in light what seems to be a presumption that we are automatically bound by any agreement resulting from negotiations, that the aim is simply to...

Negotiations on an Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan: Motion (11 Jun 2025)

Colm Brophy: All the Government has done with regard to deportation flights is to see the process through, and it is important to recognise that.

Negotiations on an Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan: Motion (11 Jun 2025)

Colm Brophy: There is no desire by the Government to initially move to things like deportation flights. They are an end part of a process where we actually believe people have been given an opportunity to voluntarily return at the start, and for people to engage in leaving in other ways.

Negotiations on an Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan: Motion (11 Jun 2025)

Colm Brophy: It is a complete misrepresentation of the Government's position to say there is somehow any glee or joy in-----

Negotiations on an Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan: Motion (11 Jun 2025)

Colm Brophy: -----communicating on deportation flights, but they are part of it. What we are doing here, as I said, is a process of engagement. I would ask, therefore, that the House would support this exercise for Ireland's opt-in in respect of this measure. I thank the Deputies for their consideration on this important matter.

Negotiations on an Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan: Motion (11 Jun 2025)

Colm Brophy: I reiterate what I said in my opening remarks that the essential priority for the Government in our immigration laws is that they are robust and enforced. People are entitled to have confidence in our immigration system and there obviously must be consequences for individuals who refuse to leave the State when they are ordered to do so. Returns and readmission are fundamental pillars of...

Negotiations on an Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan: Motion (11 Jun 2025)

Colm Brophy: We are actually engaging in an initial stage which, as the Deputy fully knows, will come back afterwards to the House for full discussion, if we choose to opt in at the end. While the numbers coming to Ireland from Kazakhstan are low, and I accept the point made about applications for international protection in 2022 and the five applications in 2024, opting into the Council's decision to...

Negotiations on an Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan: Motion (11 Jun 2025)

Colm Brophy: I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ukraine War (11 Jun 2025)

Colm Brophy: I understand the Deputy has clarified that he is referring to Ukrainian nationals who have arrived in Ireland as Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BoTP). I can advise the Deputy that in June 2024, the Council of the European Union adopted the decision to extend the Temporary Protection Directive until March 2026. This was an important demonstration of continued solidarity and support...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: EU Directives (11 Jun 2025)

Colm Brophy: I can advise the Deputy, the Temporary Protection Directive was extended until March 2026 at a meeting of the European Council in June 2024, thereby providing certainty for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BoTP) who can continue to avail of the protections that the Directive provides during this time. Consideration as to the arrangements to be put in place following the expiry of...

Seanad: European Council Decision: Motion (10 Jun 2025)

Colm Brophy: The motion seeks Seanad Eireann’s approval to opt in to a European Council decision authorising the opening of negotiations for a readmission agreement between the European Union and Kazakhstan. Readmission agreements play a valuable role in the fight against irregular migration by facilitating the admission to their own country of persons residing without authorisation in a member...

Seanad: European Council Decision: Motion (10 Jun 2025)

Colm Brophy: In my closing remarks I will highlight what I highlighted in my opening remarks, namely that an essential priority of the Government is ensuring its immigration laws are both robust and enforced. People are entitled to have confidence in our immigration system and there must be consequences for individuals who refuse to leave the State when they are ordered to do so. Returns and readmission...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Equality Issues (29 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: Ireland is ranked by the OECD Development Assistance Committee as among the member countries with the highest share of Official Development Assistance with gender equality objectives. We fund interventions directly dedicated to supporting women’s political and economic empowerment; prioritising girls’ access to quality education; addressing gender based violence; and improving...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (29 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: The Government remains deeply concerned at the situation in Sudan. Two years of conflict have resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Over 15 million people have been forced to flee their homes and over 24 million people are in acute food insecurity, with some facing famine. We are gravely concerned by the impact of widespread violence on civilians, including reports of grave...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (29 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: We remain deeply concerned at the catastrophic humanitarian crisis as a result of two years of conflict in Sudan. The impact on civilians has been huge, with widespread violence, including reports of atrocities and violations of international humanitarian law. Over 15 million people have been forced to flee their homes and over 24 million are in acute food insecurity, with some facing...

Broadcasting (Oversight of RTÉ Accounts) (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage [Private Members] (22 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. As the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, stated at the beginning of the debate, the assignment of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General as auditor of RTÉ has broad support across the House. It is one of the key recommendations of the expert advisory committee on governance and culture in RTÉ chaired by Professor Niamh Brennan....

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Schemes (22 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for giving me the opportunity to reply to him on this issue. The Government is providing €325 million in 2025 for local authorities to buy second-hand properties, with a particular focus on the tenant in situ scheme, where tenants in receipt of HAP or RAS receive a notice of termination. While the clear focus of the Government must remain on increasing the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Housing Schemes (22 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I again thank Deputy O'Sullivan for his contribution. I appreciate the sincerity with which he has raised this issue. We are committed to responding positively to it. My understanding is that Cork City Council's allocation for second-hand acquisitions in 2025 is €20 million. At the end of April, it had drawn down €6.9 million or 34% of its allocation. The Cork County...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Facilities (22 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it provides me with an opportunity to clarify the position in relation to the Department of Education and Youth’s plans for upgrading school buildings, including CBS, New Ross, County Wexford. As the Deputy is aware, he school had an enrolment in 2024 of 413 pupils. This represents an increase of 4% in the past five years. The Department...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Facilities (22 May 2025)

Colm Brophy: I take the Deputy's remarks on board and will bring the issue to the attention of the Minister. As I outlined in my earlier contribution, a range of projects are being delivered across the school area. The priority is for the Department to ensure that there are places available for every student for the next school year. In the context of that and the points the Deputy has made, I will...