Results 121-140 of 704 for speaker:Cathal Berry

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Current Issues Facing Members of the Defence Forces: Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (3 Oct 2023)

Cathal Berry: I welcome Lieutenant Colonel King and his team. It is great to have people in military uniform before the committee. Perhaps they can fill in the gaps. I think ten years ago it would have been unheard of, frowned upon and deemed to be completely unacceptable to have people in military uniform before a committee. It might give us a glimpse into what Lieutenant Colonel King mentioned about...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Current Issues Facing Members of the Defence Forces: Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (3 Oct 2023)

Cathal Berry: There are no substitutes on the bench. Even a GAA team has substitutes on the bench but Mr. King is saying the Defence Forces has none.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Current Issues Facing Members of the Defence Forces: Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (3 Oct 2023)

Cathal Berry: But that language is not being used for the Garda. It is trying to get back up to 15,000. The language is not being used in the National Cyber Security Centre, which is also seeking to increase its headcount. Therefore, how is it acceptable to speak about stabilisation in the Defence Forces when it is not acceptable in any other sector? How come the Department of the Environment, Climate...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Current Issues Facing Members of the Defence Forces: Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (3 Oct 2023)

Cathal Berry: I am not convinced that Ireland could mount a similar meagre operation in 12 months. Where is the point of no return? Where is the point at which the trend is irreversible? I believe we are approaching it. This is really serious. To double up on what Deputy Carthy said, not only should there be a whole-of-government approach but there should also be a whole-of-Parliament approach....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Current Issues Facing Members of the Defence Forces: Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (3 Oct 2023)

Cathal Berry: I thank Mr. King for his candour. It is very much appreciated. It is great to get an honest appraisal of what is actually happening on the ground.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Current Issues Facing Members of the Defence Forces: Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (3 Oct 2023)

Cathal Berry: I have one small thing to say. I very much like the Chair's suggestion about writing to the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. My fundamental question is always about the extent to which this committee is culpable for what is happening in the Defence Forces. We are the cross-party committee with oversight. What is the extent of our powers? We...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Implementation of the Recommendations of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Discussion (26 Sep 2023)

Cathal Berry: I will be quick because I am conscious of the clock. I will make three quick points. First, I am very heartened by what the Secretary General has said in relation to the patrol duty allowance. If there is to be a resolution in the next number of weeks, that would be a major step forward. The entire committee visited a naval base approximately 18 months ago and the one message we...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Implementation of the Recommendations of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Discussion (26 Sep 2023)

Cathal Berry: I can dial in afterwards.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Implementation of the Recommendations of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Discussion (26 Sep 2023)

Cathal Berry: Most people say that. In any case, I am happy to wait for the answers.

Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) (Cap on Market Revenues) Bill 2023: Second Stage (21 Sep 2023)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Minister of State for his detailed opening statement. I welcome the opportunity to make some comments and contribute to this debate on the windfall gains in the energy sector. Like my colleagues, I certainly welcome the content of this Bill, but also like my colleagues and like the Minister of State, I recognise how belated it is. The war in Ukraine began 18 months ago and we...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agriculture Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Cathal Berry: 4. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he expects details of a cow reduction scheme to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35133/23]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agriculture Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Cathal Berry: I know the Minister is a busy man, as is his colleague, Senator Hackett. I am not sure if he got a chance to read the entire Irish Farmers' Journalthis week. There was a very interesting article on page 14. The newspaper was seeking the views of farmers on a potential dairy reduction scheme. My key question to both Ministers is on whether the Government has proposals for any potential...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agriculture Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Cathal Berry: I thank the Minister for that very useful response. I very much accept his views in regard to the beef sector. Some of the responses were quite interesting. Some 80% of the respondents to the survey by the Irish Farmers' Journal said they want nothing to do with a dairy reduction scheme. We can understand why; it is a very emotive issue. They have invested in their own technology and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agriculture Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Cathal Berry: I totally accept the Minister's bona fides in that regard. For me, priority number one must be the technology pathway. The Minister announced yesterday his plan to increase clover, reduce fertiliser use and to have better feeds to reduce methane, among other measures. There is an option here, and I am glad the Minister is exploring it and doing it from a partnership perspective. What...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (13 Jul 2023)

Cathal Berry: 560. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he expects to introduce a suckler reduction scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35134/23]

European Council Meeting: Statements, Questions and Answers (12 Jul 2023)

Cathal Berry: I welcome the opportunity to comment on the most recent meeting a fortnight ago. It is only right that Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine dominated proceedings and the agenda. That is completely appropriate and to be expected. I welcome the EU’s ongoing condemnation of the unnecessary conflict and the statement that the war would end tomorrow if the Russian Federation would...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (12 Jul 2023)

Cathal Berry: 58. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to outline in tabular form, the number of commissioned officers promoted in the Army Reserve and Naval Reserve, by rank, from 01 January 2022 to 30 June 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34610/23]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (12 Jul 2023)

Cathal Berry: 58. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to outline in tabular form, the number of commissioned officers promoted in the Army Reserve and Naval Reserve, by rank, from 01 January 2022 to 30 June 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34610/23]

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Jul 2023)

Cathal Berry: I raise with the Taoiseach today the issue of modern methods of construction to help alleviate our national housing crisis. We know that the Office of Public Works, OPW, is doing some good work at the moment, putting up modular housing around the country. These are high-tech high-spec modular units but they are all single storey bungalow-type accommodation. The vast majority of EU...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Engagement with the Reserve Defence Force Representative Association (11 Jul 2023)

Cathal Berry: It is being strung along.