Results 1-20 of 5,525 for at speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: An Garda Síochána (16 May 2024)

Brendan Howlin: 212. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the expected timeframe of the next intake to begin their training at the Garda College, Templemore; the number of Garda recruits in the next intake; whether there will be further intakes in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22187/24]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Recent Developments in the EU on Security and Defence: Discussion (15 May 2024)

Brendan Howlin: I thank both gentleman for the stimulating and interesting papers that will help our general discussions. I wish to ask four questions, if I may. As for the witnesses' last response, I do not think Ireland is a player in terms of determining what the outcome is. As we are commentators to it, my first question is for both witnesses, particularly Professor Tonra, who has really underscored...

Dublin and Monaghan Bombings: Motion [Private Members] (14 May 2024)

Brendan Howlin: I, too, welcome warmly to the House representatives of Justice for the Forgotten. On 17 May 1974, 50 years ago, co-ordinated bombings were carried out by loyalist paramilitaries. Three bombs in Dublin and a fourth in Monaghan shattered the lives of countless families. Thirty-four were killed and almost 300 injured. It happened during the Ulster Workers' Council strike called to oppose the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Passport Services (9 May 2024)

Brendan Howlin: The Tánaiste should have a look at the Oireachtas query service for passports as well. It is not great at the moment

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: 20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement: Mr. Bertie Ahern (8 May 2024)

Brendan Howlin: .... I wish to ask a few questions, the first focusing on the political. The European Union started off as a economic entity. It is an economic community. However, always, from the beginning, it was at least a coequal political entity. The various enlargements we had were always as much, if not more, a political process as an economic process - even the earlier ones, bringing in Spain...

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (2 May 2024)

Brendan Howlin: I would say it will be something that will be repeated daily by everybody. This new entity is to be responsible for overseeing and monitoring the human resources of the Defence Forces and reporting to the Minister, as the body deems appropriate. Its duties are set out in the new section 322 on page 14 of the Bill. This includes "the recruitment of members of the Defence Forces", which is a...

Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024: Second Stage (2 May 2024)

Brendan Howlin: Legislation on the Defence Forces, in general, being debated in this House is a rare occurrence. I cannot recall many occasions when the time of the House has been occupied by this issue, and maybe that will give us an indication it is an area of public policy that has not been focused on enough over the years. It goes to the heart of why the Defence Forces are so undermanned at the moment....

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Dental Services (2 May 2024)

Brendan Howlin: 318. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in relation to the proposed expansion in the number of dentists to be trained in Ireland, if he will set out the optimum number he believes should be catered for annually in third level colleges in Ireland; his plans to expand the number of dentistry places available at University College Cork and Trinity College Dublin; the plans he has to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Coastal Erosion (25 Apr 2024)

Brendan Howlin: 165. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 161 of 18 April 2024, and in view of the timelines set out by him for the development of an appropriate coastal and flooding protection scheme for Rosslare, County Wexford, if he will ensure that progress of this scheme is accelerated, having regard to the impact of climate change on the coastline...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Elections 2024, Voting Rights and Combating Disinformation: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Mar 2024)

Brendan Howlin: I thank Mr. Godfrey and his team. Our focus is on upholding the integrity of the upcoming elections and in particular, as the European affairs committee, of the European elections and that was why the witnesses were invited in. I will ask a number of questions on the presentation that Mr. Godfrey has given. I refer to the role of Coimisiún na Meán that he has set out, namely,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Human Rights (7 Mar 2024)

Brendan Howlin: I certainly join others in commending the bravery of Alexei Navalny and all others who stand against Putin's autocracy. The Tánaiste set out rightly the litany of human rights violations now afoot in Russia. On our actions, I produced and brought before the House, as the Chair of the justice committee here present will recall, the Magnitsky legislation to ensure we and our financial...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Human Rights (7 Mar 2024)

Brendan Howlin: The problem is the pressure that is being applied is not only ineffectual, but is actually lessening the amount of food going in. The Tánaiste said himself that aid has halved since the International Court of Justice made a ruling. There is no obvious sign of any relenting on the part of the Israeli authorities in terms of the pressure they are keeping. As the Tánaiste also...

Housing Targets and Regulations: Motion [Private Members] (6 Mar 2024)

Brendan Howlin: I thank the Minister of State for his comments on the Labour Party, but I should say that attacks on the Labour Party are not personal. They are attacks in defence of self interest and they only reinforce us in our determination to advance our policy platform. Since recovery from the financial crash which brought about the collapse of Ireland’s construction industry, the issue of...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

Brendan Howlin: Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach as ligean dom teacht anseo agus labhairt libh faoin ábhar tábhachtach seo ar maidin. It has been quite a few years since I had direct responsibility for local government at Cabinet level. The comment of the rapporteur that we are all very recent does not quite apply in my case. But in truth, local government impacts constantly on the...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

Brendan Howlin: It is no wonder that we have not reformed local government because there are so many different views. That is a perennial issue. If I may put it bluntly in this august Chamber, it is more like the discussions on Seanad reform that have been going on for as long as I have been here. Everyone is in favour of it but we cannot get around to agreeing on what reforms should be made. There are a...

Seanad Public Consultation Committee: The Future of Local Democracy: Discussion (Resumed) (29 Feb 2024)

Brendan Howlin: I might just make three points. It is probably true also of my colleagues, but I never brought legislation to the House that I did not understand or did not support 100%, because I had to argue it through the Government before it ever came near here. That is just not factual and I think my record would show that to be absolutely the case. On the functioning of councils in better local...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: European Elections 2024, Voting Rights and Combating Disinformation: Discussion (Resumed) (28 Feb 2024)

Brendan Howlin: I thank the witnesses for the presentations they have given on really important issues that are very broad and multifaceted. In her introduction, Ms O'Connell described us as "distinguished" Members of Parliament. It reminds me of a trip I made with Barry Andrews, who is now an MEP, to an Irish Aid project in Africa. We were introduced by our hosts as "extinguished" Members of Parliament....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Infrastructure Provision (28 Feb 2024)

Brendan Howlin: 126. To ask the Minister for Health if a capital allocation to construct the new 97-bed block at Wexford General Hospital, which has full planning permission, is included in this year's capital programme for the HSE; when he expects construction to begin on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9426/24]

Written Answers — Department of Health: General Practitioner Services (22 Feb 2024)

Brendan Howlin: 275. To ask the Minister for Health if he is aware that it is now virtually impossible for any new patient in Wexford town to be accepted by any of the existing GP practices, which are at capacity in terms of service delivery; the plans he intends to put in place to address this critical health issue, which is having a significant impact both on the health and well-being of the existing...