Results 81-100 of 700 for speaker:Cathal Berry

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Update on Ukraine: Discussion (5 Dec 2023)

Cathal Berry: I welcome the ambassador, her team and Mr. Merezhko, who is in Ukraine. I was intrigued by what the ambassador said about a Canadian initiative to establish a coalition for the return of children. She said a meeting was planned in Kyiv on 8 December. I had not heard of that before. Does she know if Ireland is involved? Is Ireland sending a representative?

Capital Supply Service and Purpose Report Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (29 Nov 2023)

Cathal Berry: I want to add my voice to thank Deputy Shanahan for doing all the leg work and Ms Cáit Nic Amhlaoibh, our group administrator, for doing all the heavy lifting in getting this very important Bill before the House this morning. I am glad the Minister of State actually picked up on the constructive nature of the Bill as well. That is precisely the intended purpose. It is meant to be...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Supplementary)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Minister of State for his detailed opening statement as well as the detailed briefing note. It is great we could do the forensic scrutiny long before he came before the committee. It was great that we had all the detailed information in advance. Not only do I have no objection to the additional €71 million but I welcome it. Ireland has a good surplus and it is in its...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Supplementary)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Cathal Berry: That is good to hear. Ireland is in financial surplus at the moment but we might not always be in surplus. That dovetails nicely to my next point on purchasing residential embassies and ambassadors’ residences abroad. I think that is a good practice. Rent is great for a couple of years because you get to sound out the neighbourhood. However, when the country is as financially rich...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Supplementary)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Supplementary) (28 Nov 2023)

Cathal Berry: It is interesting to see a part of the State apparatus that is not an expense; it actually generates income. It is good. Well done to the Minister of State and his team.

Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation (23 Nov 2023)

Cathal Berry: I have a follow-up question about the triple lock. The Tánaiste said he would bring amendments before the House. Is there any indication of when we will see those amendments? My second question is intended to be constructive. What would the Tánaiste think about some of his officials briefing Opposition Deputies and spokespersons on defence and foreign affairs? Perhaps that...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 Nov 2023)

Cathal Berry: I want to raise a matter of national significance and importance. It has a pensions component as well a national security component. I refer to the impending retirement of the deputy Garda commissioner for policing and security, who will most likely retire in March or April next year. Unfortunately, not a single serving member of An Garda Síochána has applied for promotion to...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (23 Nov 2023)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Tánaiste for that useful response. It appears that there is at least an acknowledgement that there is a problem and that the problem can be addressed. My concern is that if it is not addressed until next summer, there will probably be a gap in that appointment while the deputy commissioner retires. I want to flag this and it is important that this post is filled. There is...

Consultative Forum on International Security Policy Report: Statements (22 Nov 2023)

Cathal Berry: I welcome the opportunity to make some brief comments on the international security consultative forum. As someone who attended in person, I can say that I found it very useful and worthwhile. I am interested in international relations in any case but I picked up a lot of good nuggets at the forum, which I was not expecting, chief among them was that it is actually okay to have a different...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Nov 2023)

Cathal Berry: I want to raise with the Minister the very concerning and serious developments during the week whereby access to the Chinese market for Irish beef has been suspended temporarily. The Minister will be fully aware that this is the last thing needed at this moment by those in Irish agriculture, particularly suckler farmers, and particularly after the year just gone. We have had historically...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (9 Nov 2023)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Minister. I echo his sentiments on the credibility and robustness of our surveillance system. That is to be applauded, and that is what we are leaning on reputationally. I have one other concern, namely, the consequences if the meat factories seek to take full advantage of this development and lower the prices of carcases even more. Are there any safeguards to prevent this?...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ukraine War (9 Nov 2023)

Cathal Berry: 4. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the direct support his Department has provided to Ukrainians living in Ukraine in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48996/23]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ukraine War (9 Nov 2023)

Cathal Berry: What direct medical supports has the Minister’s Department provided this year to Ukrainians living in Ukraine, and will he make a statement on the matter?

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ukraine War (9 Nov 2023)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Minister. That was an impressive list of supports, which is good and which I welcome. I want to single out UCD’s Ukraine trauma project for two reasons. First, I thank the Minister for his €170,000 support and his personal intervention, without which it would not have happened. Second, I highlight the six people involved. They are very humble people who have...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ukraine War (9 Nov 2023)

Cathal Berry: I acknowledge also the role of the Irish Embassy in Kiev, which has been very hospitable and generous when we are out there. Likewise, I acknowledge Mr. Peter Ott, a Kildare man working for an NGO out there, Caritas, which is very supportive, as well as retired Lieutenant Colonel Ray Lane, who is working with the UN from a mines-clearance point of view. I am reassured by the Minister's...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 Nov 2023)

Cathal Berry: 45. To ask the Minister for Health to consider extending the pandemic special recognition payment to nurses and staff of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48997/23]

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (8 Nov 2023)

Cathal Berry: I very much welcome the opportunity to contribute and make a few comments on the readout from the most recent European Council meeting at the end of October in Brussels. I am just going to focus my comments on two main areas. The first is Ukraine and the second is the Middle East. From a Ukrainian point of view, I am sure the Minister of State is probably aware that only in the past...

Middle East and the Occupied Palestinian Territories: Statements (Resumed) (18 Oct 2023)

Cathal Berry: I wish a good evening to the Minister of State, Deputy Heydon. It is always a pleasure to interact with a constituency colleague across the floor of the Dáil. I wish it were under better circumstances. While I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this historic debate, I recognise it is historic for all the wrong reasons. I have been on the planet for 46 years but do not recall...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2023)

Cathal Berry: I will raise the issue of childcare provision and early childhood education. I acknowledge that there has been some progress in the past couple of years. There were some good announcements last week as well, which will take a small bit of pressure off. While I acknowledge some moderate progress, there is a whole lot more to do. The reason I mention this today is, at best, the Government...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (17 Oct 2023)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Taoiseach for his response. i agree there has been some progress, but more definitely needs to be done. What a wonderful legacy it would be for the 33rd Dáil to bring in free early education for the people of this country. I accept there are competing priorities but whenever I ask for someone's priorities, I never ask for their press releases or the statements they have...