Results 21-40 of 705 for speaker:Cathal Berry

Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Cathal Berry: Does the Minister of State know the number?

Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Cathal Berry: Just the number, please.

Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Cathal Berry: That is zero.

Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Cathal Berry: To confirm, the number is actually zero. To correct the Minister of State, I did not say 12 would apply; I said that approximately 12 would be inducted. I was being over-optimistic in thinking it would take place in the month of May and, obviously, that has not happened. Is there a target date or does the Minister of State have a preferred date for when the first inductions will take place?

Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Minister of State for confirming that the number is zero and that not a single member of the Defence Forces has been re-enlisted through this scheme in the last ten weeks. I also point out there is no projected date for the first person to be enlisted. I want to confirm as well, and people will be very happy to check the record-----

Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Cathal Berry: Understood. To clarify, my question is when we will have the first person in uniform and working. That is what induction means. I see my role here as to facilitate and advise and maybe gently nudge things along rather than being adversarial. I have no intention of being adversarial. There is a group of people, the Army nursing service, that I suspect people in the Chamber may not be...

Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Minister of State. To move on to the Naval Service, we know that two Naval Service ships have been in Cork Harbour for approximately 12 months. We recognise there was some miscommunication approximately 12 months ago as to whether they were in for maintenance or because of a lack of personnel and sailors. As of this date, 3 June 2020, why are the two ships still in Cork...

Covid-19 (Defence): Statements (3 Jun 2020)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Minister of State for clarifying this. The reason the two Naval Service ships are tied up in Cork Harbour at present is because of a lack of personnel. We understand this now. I am glad the Minister of State mentioned that pay is an issue. A high-level implementation plan was launched on the plinth on 4 July last year. One of the main focuses and reasons for it was to sort...

Covid-19 (Brexit): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Minister of State for updating the House on the Brexit negotiations. I agree with the sentiment in her opening statement that it is quite disappointing to see how things have played out. I thank her for her honesty and candour in keeping us updated with the truth, regardless of how unpalatable it may actually be. On the UK land bridge, obviously every Member will be aware that...

Covid-19 (Brexit): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Minister of State for that useful information. My second question relates to Brexit infrastructure in Ireland. Most people will accept that the UK has a lot to improve on with regard to facilities from 1 January next year. That is beyond our control because it is the UK's prerogative. What is within our control is the facilities, be it port or airport facilities, that we have...

Covid-19 (Brexit): Statements (11 Jun 2020)

Cathal Berry: My final question relates to the manpower crisis in the Naval Service. This is becoming even more relevant now. We know that the issue of fisheries will be a major bone of contention between the EU and UK negotiating teams. If we can agree a fisheries protocol, it will probably be cobbled together at the last minute. The Irish Naval Service will be the people who monitor, enforce and...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Departmental Strategies (14 Jul 2020)

Cathal Berry: 43. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the steps he is taking to support remote working within his Department, its agencies and through the funding supports provided to business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15684/20]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cybersecurity Policy (15 Jul 2020)

Cathal Berry: 11. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the level of preparedness of Ireland to protect against cyberattack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16248/20]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cybersecurity Policy (15 Jul 2020)

Cathal Berry: As this is my first opportunity to address the Minister in this forum, I extend my very best wishes to him and his family on his recent appointment. Specifically in regard to his role as Minister with responsibility for communications, I would be grateful if he can update the House on his initial assessment in regard to the ability of this country to prevent and protect itself against...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cybersecurity Policy (15 Jul 2020)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Minister for that informative response. I commend his Department on publishing the national cybersecurity strategy in December of last year. It is a very good document. I am heartened that there is a significant reference to cybersecurity in the programme for Government. It is important considering the number of international technology firms based in the country and the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cybersecurity Policy (15 Jul 2020)

Cathal Berry: That is great. I thank the Minister for clarifying that the programme for Government commits to the full implementation of the national cybersecurity strategy, which is good. The programme for Government has a specific reference to utilising the potential and important role of the Defence Forces in this regard. How does the Minister envisage the relationship between his Department and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Cybersecurity Policy (15 Jul 2020)

Cathal Berry: 58. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of staff employed by the National Cyber Security Centre in each of the years 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16249/20]

Estimates for Public Services 2020 (16 Jul 2020)

Cathal Berry: The Regional Group is here; we are up in the cheap seats at the back. I have a statement on behalf of the Regional Group. There are no specific questions but if the Minister wishes to respond at the end, that is entirely her prerogative. This is my first opportunity to address the Minister in this forum. I wish to extend every best wish to her and her family regarding her recent...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 Jul 2020)

Cathal Berry: I wish to raise some defence matters with the Tánaiste. There is almost universal acceptance that there is a severe and worsening staff retention issue in the Defence Forces. All we have to do is look at the naval base in Cork where two naval ships are tied up. These vessels are unable to put to sea because there are not enough sailors to crew them. I have also been reliably informed...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 Jul 2020)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Tánaiste for that clarification. My follow-up question relates to the defence budget. Based on percentage of GDP, we already have the smallest defence budget in the EU. Compounding this problem has been the practice in recent years of significant Department of Defence Vote moneys being returned to the Central Fund at year end. The size of that return depends on one's...