Results 201-220 of 704 for speaker:Cathal Berry

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Work and Priorities of the Defence Forces: Engagement with Chief of Staff (21 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: We are saving the best for last.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Work and Priorities of the Defence Forces: Engagement with Chief of Staff (21 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chathaoirleach. I will ask six brief questions. I am conscious of my colleagues trying to get in. If there is a second round, I would be happy to speak. I welcome Lieutenant General Clancy and his team. To double on what Deputy Clarke was saying, I thank him for the hospitality that was extended to the committee on our visits to the naval base at...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Work and Priorities of the Defence Forces: Engagement with Chief of Staff (21 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: I take the Chief of Staff's point that the Permanent Defence Force, comprising the regular troops, is competing with the private sector when it come to recruitment and retention and that is the same across the world, but our Reserve Defence Force is not and it is still perhaps 60% below strength. You can have a job in the private sector and be a member of the Reserve Defence Force. We had...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on Civil Defence: Discussion (7 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: There is no medical and no fitness test.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on Civil Defence: Discussion (7 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on Civil Defence: Discussion (7 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: It is a $64,000 question but if, God forbid, there was a leak from a reactor in Ukraine, are the witnesses confident that we, as a nation, have the equipment, people and wherewithal to deal with that rather than scrambling looking for answers a few hours after the incident? Are we as prepared as we ought to be? Is there anything the committee can do to assist in that regard?

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (7 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: 319. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has conducted a review of the activities of the embassy of the Russian Federation in Ireland; if he is satisfied that the current level of diplomatic presence therein is justifiable in light of the prosecution by that nation of a war on the sovereign state, Ukraine, which has been condemned by the United Nations; and if he will make...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (7 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: 320. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, in light of the war in Ukraine being perpetrated by the Russian Federation, he will take steps to expel the Ambassador of the Russian Federation, or at least reduce the number of Russian embassy staff in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10896/23]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (7 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: 321. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, in light of their active support for the war in Ukraine, he will summon the Ambassadors of China, India and South Africa to express the State's displeasure at their stance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10897/23]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on Civil Defence: Discussion (7 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: Cuirim fáilte roimh gach duine. I want to start by conveying my complete appreciation and that of the committee for all the staff and volunteers at departmental level and in the uniformed services. It is an outstanding effort. We say of the Civil Defence that they always turn up and they do, particularly with Covid-19 and the Ukrainian crisis. It is hugely appreciated. I have a few...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Naval Service (2 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: That is great. I thank the Minister for the reply. I accept there have been some minor improvements as part of the general public sector package, but also some specifically for the Defence Forces. I was focusing on the patrol duty allowance because it is such an important allowance given the Naval Service is in crisis from both a crewing and ships perspective. I thank the Minister for...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Naval Service (2 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: I entirely agree with the Minister that we must be prudent and responsible across the entire public sector. An aspect of this worth highlighting is this would be an earned allowance rather than just a basic pay improvement. It would be like overtime, so the member would have to work longer and harder to get it. I hope the Minister can take that into consideration. I accept the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Naval Service (2 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: 91. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when an improvement in the Naval Service patrol duty allowance will be implemented in accordance with the recommendations in the high-level action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10763/23]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Naval Service (2 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: As part of the Government's high-level action plan to transform our armed forces over the coming years, there was a commitment to increase the size of the patrol duty allowance for the Naval Service. I would be grateful if the Minister could update the House on where the proposal is at the moment.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (2 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: 190. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when additional long-service increments for Defence Forces personnel will be implemented in accordance with the recommendations in the high-level action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10764/23]

Future of Regional Pre-Hospital Emergency Care: Motion [Private Members] (1 Mar 2023)

Cathal Berry: Táim fíorbhuíóch a bheith anseo inniu chun caint faoin ábhar seo. Tuigim cinnte go bhfuil sé ar cheann de na hábhair is tabachtaí in Éirinn faoi láthair. Before I speak to the motion, I would like to convey my deepest sympathies to the people of Greece following the tragic train accident there. More than 32 people have been confirmed dead....

European Union Directive: Motion (28 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate on whether we should transpose an EU directive on the definition of criminal offences and penalties for the violation of restrictive measures into Irish law. I am happy to support the motion for a number of reasons. I am, in principle, in favour of sanctions as an alternative to violence, provided those sanctions are targeted...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council and Priorities for 2023: Minister for Foreign Affairs (28 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Minister and his team for appearing before the committee. I have three very brief points to make, the first of which is to welcome the proposal, at least, to send Irish troops as part of the European military assistance mission to Poland and Germany to train Ukrainians in medical training and demining. Not many people know, but University College Dublin, UCD, actually has people...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council and Priorities for 2023: Minister for Foreign Affairs (28 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: The last point is with regard to the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria. Of 27 EU countries, 21 of them deployed small rescue and medical teams in-theatre. Ireland was one of the six countries that did not. Many teams even came from beyond the European Union. A team even went from Ukraine. Should we consider having small search-and-rescue and medical stand-by teams of five, six or ten...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council and Priorities for 2023: Minister for Foreign Affairs (28 Feb 2023)

Cathal Berry: Yes, under Professor Gerard Bury. Remote training and in-person training has been taking place for the last number of months out there. The Irish military involvement will, therefore, be able to complement that well. The second point is to welcome the €77 million Ireland has pledged as part of the European Peace Facility. Obviously, a lot of it has not been drawn down yet because...