Results 1-20 of 201 for feel speaker:Brendan Howlin "party:" . (isset($parties[ucfirst("$a[1]")]) ? $parties[ucfirst("$a[1]")] : "$a[1]")

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

Brendan Howlin: ...of the very significant enlargement of the EU over which Mr. Ahern presided that Polish carpenters or plumbers would arrive in their droves. I wish to God they had because we could do with a few more. I feel existing member states have not done enough to properly integrate people who have a right to move within the EU. You notice it even when out canvassing. People do not know what...

Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements (20 Mar 2024)

Brendan Howlin: ...the comments of the Taoiseach in the United States last week coming in tandem with the remarks of Senator Chuck Schumer, a long-standing ally of Israel. I hope they had an impact in the US but I feel they will have no impact on the Netanyahu government. This week Europe must do more. Even the most ardent supporters of Israel know that the nation's onslaught against the entire population...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (25 Jan 2024)

Brendan Howlin: Does the Tánaiste agree that the fundamental problem with the DUP and Sinn Féin in the build-up to a settlement is that neither will move on something fundamental and important if they feel that there is any segment of their own party who will not move with them? Others, particularly in Northern Ireland, took risks to move matters along, but those parties in particular seem...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (24 Jan 2024)

Brendan Howlin: ...people and of all right-thinking people across the European Union. The ongoing carnage in Gaza is unconscionable and horrifying. It is now clear to the entire world that the Israeli Government feels it can act with complete impunity and exactly as it wishes. A country that Ireland regards as a member of the community of nations has decided that it is not bound by international law, the...

Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2023)

Brendan Howlin: ...say that maybe it is as well not to make that change. Overall, in the fullness of the political system, it is a much better representative situation and a much better outcome for democracy. If people feel their views are not represented in the national Parliament, as happens in many jurisdictions right now, they are actually turned off by the political system because it is not...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Disaster Response (28 Sep 2023)

Brendan Howlin: ...Council to ensure that we can, as a Union, respond effectively and quickly to future disasters which are, unfortunately, bound to happen with the advent of climate change? Does the Minister of State feel we have that capacity now or do we need to beef it up? Will he take such an initiative?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Priorities of the Spanish EU Presidency: Discussion with Spanish Ambassador (5 Jul 2023)

Brendan Howlin: ...values of the EU? How is it proposed to do that? We all talk about delivering for citizens, and in many ways it is an in-house discussion, which we do not communicate well to people who do not feel the impact. Is there a strategy to build on Spain's declared and real support for the broadening and deepening development of the EU? My second question is linked to that. It is about what...

Access to Autism and Disability Assessments and Supports: Motion [Private Members] (24 May 2023)

Brendan Howlin: ...by others. I hope this will be a cathartic day. From what the Minister of State has said, I hope it will be and that there is real hope for those families in desperate need who right now feel that they are crying in the wilderness and are left to deal with their unimaginable burdens alone while they are unanswered by the State.

Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality Issues in the Defence Forces: Statements (30 Mar 2023)

Brendan Howlin: ...of our State, and still do so today. They, and Ireland, require us now to ensure Óglaigh na hÉireann become an exemplar for inclusion and a place of mutual respect where the norms of civility exist and where no person feels threatened or uneasy in their daily task of serving this nation.

Health (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (22 Mar 2023)

Brendan Howlin: ...thing that has lasted a very long time, together with the associated regulations. This is all very welcome and will certainly assist in the cost-of-living pressures that so many people are acutely feeling right now. The notion that people would be inhibited from even going to a hospital because of a charge makes it right that this charge should be abolished if we are in a position to do...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Northern Ireland (21 Mar 2023)

Brendan Howlin: ...iteration of its concerns. The proposals the British Government made are not compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights. In the improved relationship with Britain, does the Tánaiste feel there is a real prospect now of moving it away from the enactment of this legislation? I am interested in hearing the Tánaiste's opinion on that. Is it a situation where the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Foreign Conflicts (21 Mar 2023)

Brendan Howlin: I want to continue on this theme because I feel fundamentally depressed by what is unfolding internationally. The only internationally supported long-term peace plan for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was and is a viable two-state solution, a viable and internationally recognised state of Israel and a viable and internationally recognised state of Palestine. That is now being made...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Impact of Brexit on Ireland: Discussion (1 Mar 2023)

Brendan Howlin: I thank Mr. Drennan and Mr. Nolan, both of whom are true experts in the issues we want to address. I want to touch briefly on three areas. Mr. Nolan may feel free to interject as well as Mr. Drennan. My first question is on Mr. Drennan's comments on the Windsor Framework, which we are all grappling with. I was in Brussels yesterday. Mr. Drennan makes a very relevant point, which is to...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Jan 2023)

Brendan Howlin: ...on much more responsibility for its own security. The Council has called on the Commission to present a proposal for a European defence investment programme. Where does that leave us? There is a feeling that a European defence structure is being created by stealth. In fact, it is not a matter of stealth for the many countries that advocate for and want such a structure. We seem to be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Opportunities within the European Union for Irish People: Discussion (7 Dec 2022)

Brendan Howlin: ...in the European Commission and the parliament and so on. However, our own foreign affairs team working in Brussels has been incredible. For many, it is a more fulfilling career because people feel they are fighting the national cause. This relates to my second question. We would like to hire our own, but what importance is there to having a strong cohort of Irish people who take an...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs: Conference on the Future of Europe and the General Affairs Council: Discussion (5 Oct 2022)

Brendan Howlin: ...that is the way the European Council works as well. I would be interested to hear the Minister of State's take on that because the one thing we do not want is, by some majoritarianism, to leave somebody feeling wounded or excluded. For that reason, I would be supportive of the status quo. My second question is in regard to the positive actions that the European Union takes. The Minister...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (13 Jul 2022)

Brendan Howlin: ...the decision to give candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova. We visited Moldova. There is an understanding that this is not an instant process. It is a slow process, but these countries wish to feel embraced and on track to be part of the European family and that they would be supported in developing their own systems to ensure that they measure up, if you like, to the standards we...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: General Scheme of the Communications (Retention of Data) (Amendment) Bill 2022: Discussion (30 Jun 2022)

Brendan Howlin: ...an observation and ask three questions. The observation is as follows. In response to the Chair's question to Mr. Kelleher, I think, having been here a long time, that Departments sometimes feel they are the legislators and we are here simply to rubber stamp. An evolving situation should involve us, as the Oireachtas, and the general public, so we are all party to the development of...

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (29 Jun 2022)

Brendan Howlin: There is a certain feeling of déjà vuabout this particular annual process when you could really print out last year's scripts and recycle them into the record of the House. That is never a good situation. Let us start from first principles and ask what we have been asked to do today. We have been asked to continue in force certain provisions of the Offences against the State...