Results 1-20 of 40 for israel speaker:Brendan Smith

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Palestinian Refugees in the Near East and Demolition of Khan al-Ahmar: Discussion (20 Sep 2018)

Brendan Smith: Mr. Patrick Costello and his colleague Ms Lesley O'Connor from the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel, EAPPI, are here to discuss the decision by the US Administration to withdraw funding from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, for Palestinian refugees in the Near East and the decision by the Israeli Supreme Court to authorise the destruction of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Situation in Palestine: Discussion (10 May 2018)

Brendan Smith: In part B of today's meeting, we meet Mr. Omar Barghouti to discuss the current situation in Palestine and the growing non-violent civil society movement that opposes Israel's occupation. Mr. Barghouti is welcome. Before beginning, I remind members, witnesses and those in the Public Gallery to ensure that their mobile phones are switched off completely for the duration of the meeting, as...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Message to Dáil (24 Oct 2017)

Brendan Smith: ...is generally not much interest in Committee Stage debates which are technical matters but I am glad so see we are joined by members of the diplomatic corps. I see the ambassadors of Cyprus and Israel as well as the chargés d'affairesfrom Georgia and Saudi Arabia, and also a representative of the Russian Federation. We are glad that they are here with us, at a technical Committee...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (22 Jun 2016)

Brendan Smith: .... To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions that have taken place at the European Union Foreign Affairs Council regarding the possibility of suspending trade agreements with Israel until such a time as peace talks resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17382/16]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Peace Process (3 Nov 2015)

Brendan Smith: ...and sectarian violence. As the beneficiary of international support for its own peace process, Ireland has a moral duty to find its voice and to use it to oppose the continuing violence in Israel and Palestine. I reiterate that together with colleagues in government, the Minister must take every opportunity in every forum available, be it at the United Nations, the European Union or other...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Peace Process (3 Nov 2015)

Brendan Smith: The establishment of a peacefully coexistent Israel and Palestine in light of long-standing violence in the Middle East would prove a substantial pillar of stability in ongoing efforts to stabilise that region. In recent weeks High Representative Mogherini has taken part in meetings with the quartet and bilateral discussions with the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Netanyahu, and President...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Crisis in South Sudan: International Committee of Red Cross (7 Oct 2015)

Brendan Smith: ...the world, the South Sudan crisis may not be in the public awareness as much as it needs to be, as the refugee problems in the Middle East and north Africa are at the moment and the conflict in Israel and Palestine and the growth of ISIS was in August 2014. South Sudan probably does not have the public awareness that it needs to have of the contributions and assistance of organisations...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Gaza: Discussion (30 Sep 2015)

Brendan Smith: ...this issue in his concluding remarks. I have in mind the Human Rights Council of the United Nations, in which Ireland participates, and the International Criminal Court. The European Union is Israel's largest trading partner. Surely, as a union of 28 member states with a population of 500 million, the EU should exert greater pressure to ensure Israel lives up to its obligations under...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (16 Jul 2015)

Brendan Smith: 614. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to raise again at the European Union Foreign Affairs Council the need for the European Union to pursue with Israel and Egypt the need to lift the blockade of Gaza, which is preventing the transport of products and materials needed for the rebuilding of essential infrastructure and homes in Gaza; and if he will make a statement...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Affairs Council: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (8 Jul 2015)

Brendan Smith: ...Resolution that would pull together the different aspects of the means of achieving a worthwhile solution. Has he any idea how soon such a resolution could be expected? Today is the first anniversary of the Israeli military operation against Gaza, when we witnessed for 50 days devastation on the Gaza Strip. Unfortunately, 1,400 Palestinian civilians were killed, as well as six Israeli...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on EU Foreign Affairs Council: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Mar 2015)

Brendan Smith: ...country. The Minister did not mention the Middle East in his contribution. I welcome his visit to the region and some of the commentary attributed to him while he was there. When he was in Israel, he said the EU needed to up its game in regard to the Middle East peace process. Does he intend to bring forward at forthcoming council meetings specific measures that he thinks could help...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Palestine and Israel: Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (10 Dec 2014)

Brendan Smith: ...Union, on behalf of its 500 million citizens, makes a pledge to provide much needed funding to relieve the desperate plight of so many innocent people, is there any interaction between it and Israel to try to remove the blockages in order that pledged money can be drawn down to build facilities and homes for the Palestinian people?

Palestine: Motion [Private Members] (9 Dec 2014)

Brendan Smith: ...of the state of Palestine - it called "on the Government to formally recognise the State of Palestine and do everything it can at an international level to help to secure a viable two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict" - was carried unanimously on that historic occasion, it was an indication of the strong democratic support in Ireland for such recognition. It reflected...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Issues (26 Nov 2014)

Brendan Smith: ...was the first European Union member state to declare that a solution to the conflict in the Middle East must be based on a fully sovereign state of Palestine, independent and co-existing with Israel, does the Minister agree that this is an opportune time to take a new initiative? Does he also agree that bilateral recognition would act as an impetus for the much-needed renewed peace talks...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Issues (26 Nov 2014)

Brendan Smith: ...Palestine as a sovereign state. I believe we should follow the lead of Sweden and the House of Commons in the UK and recognise the state of Palestine. The recent war in Gaza and the unwillingness of the Israeli Government to engage in meaningful and constructive negotiations with the Palestinians have resulted in a mind shift on how best to approach the conflict in the Middle East. As...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East Issues (25 Nov 2014)

Brendan Smith: 389. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views that Israel and Palestine are fulfilling the ceasefire agreement currently in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44823/14]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on Foreign Affairs and Trade Issues: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (11 Nov 2014)

Brendan Smith: ...appeared before the joint committee previously, he and I have discussed practically all of the issues under consideration today by way of parliamentary questions and Topical Issue debates. On the Israel-Palestine conflict, I welcome the Minister's comment that he intends to pursue this issue at European Union level. I hope there will be greater engagement on the matter by the European...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (17 Sep 2014)

Brendan Smith: ...abstained on a vote at the UN Human Rights Council in relation to the need to establish a commission of inquiry into human rights violations in Gaza and the violations of international law by Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34843/14]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Gaza - Middle East Peace Process: Palestinian and Israeli Ambassadors (3 Sep 2014)

Brendan Smith: It is important to put that on the record. The ambassador has had a long time to respond to initial questions. Equally, the people who contacted me abhorred the firing of rockets at innocent Israeli targets as well. That should also be put on the record. Will Israel contribute to the cost of rebuilding vital and strategic infrastructure in Gaza, such as hospitals and schools? The...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Situation in Gaza - Middle East Peace Process: Palestinian and Israeli Ambassadors (3 Sep 2014)

Brendan Smith: ...proposal is one the Fianna Fáil Party which I represent has always advocated, as have successive Irish Governments. Does the ambassador condemn the rocket attacks targeting innocent civilians in Israel and what can be done to prevent them in the future? Does the ambassador accept that Israel is entitled to enjoy peaceful co-existence with Palestine? What prospect is there of Hamas...