Results 1-20 of 899 for long speaker:Seán Barrett

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Colombian Peace Process: Discussion (11 Jul 2019)

Seán Barrett: ...in trying to find a resolution. I am interested in assisting in that and I am delighted to welcome our guests. This is a first. I have been a Member of this Parliament since 1981, which is a long time, and it is the first occasion on which I have heard any type of debate or discussion at this level about Colombia. A country like Ireland, which developed from being under the fist of the...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: UN Missions: Motion (16 May 2019)

Seán Barrett: ...in peacekeeping and peacemaking could be valuably used. That is why I am asking for a review of all of our activities and why we are going to the same places for the past 20 years or however long it has been. I get the impression that the dynamism has gone out of this approach to peacekeeping and peacemaking. The Minister of State can tell me if I am dreaming or if it might be possible...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Ratification of EU and NATO Status of Forces Agreements: Discussion (24 Jan 2019)

Seán Barrett: ...to be part of the battle groups? Since when do peacekeepers become involved in battle groups? With the greatest respect, we are losing our way here. As far as I am concerned, I will, for as long as I am here which, unfortunately, will not be long now, defend the role of the Defence Forces in peacekeeping. Leave it to others who want to play games with battle groups, which is a...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Partnership and Co-operation Agreement between the European Union and Republic of Kazakhstan: Motion (23 Oct 2018)

Seán Barrett: ...with other parts of Europe. I am not exaggerating when I say this but everybody knows, particularly people of our vintage, if the Cathaoirleach does not mind me saying so, because we have been around a long time, that it is a fact that before Ireland joined the EU, we were stuck out there and we were a small, undeveloped country. I do not want to see anything happening as a result of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council – Defence, and Related Matters: Minister of State at the Department of Defence (18 Oct 2018)

Seán Barrett: ...the current position of our economy. There are other options for people. It is time that we had a review of what exactly we are going to ask the Defence Forces to do in terms of its priorities as long as this situation pertains. The reality is that there are so many options now for people that those who would have joined the Defence Forces in hard times because of a lack of job...

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

Seán Barrett: ...has become fluid because of changes of regimes within Israel but in trying to find a solution to the problem, we cannot move with the change of regime. As a country, our approach would be, along with the EU, to try to find an overall solution to this ongoing problem. I appreciate where Mr. Barghouti is coming from and what he represents. However, in trying to find a solution to the...

An Bille um an Séú Leasú is Tríocha ar an mBunreacht 2018: An Dara Céim (Atógáil) - Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Mar 2018)

Seán Barrett: ...by members of the media wanting to know what my views were with respect to the legislation we are now debating but I have refused to tell them until I expressed them here in the Chamber. It is a long time ago - in fact, it is 35 years ago - that I was the Chief Whip of the Government that dealt with the 1983 Bill. We went into government after Fianna Fáil left in November 1982. We...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Brexit Issues: British Irish Chamber of Commerce (1 Feb 2018)

Seán Barrett: ...like them and listen and understand, the more we realise how important it is to have an organisation like theirs and others, and start listening, focusing and looking for an agreement on paper long before 2019 or 2020 so that there are no ifs, ands or buts. Nobody has been able to answer the questions I have posed. I thank the witnesses.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Ireland's Participation in European Defence Agency Projects: Motion (29 Nov 2017)

Seán Barrett: ...country. As it is the one thing that has helped us in mission after mission in terms of peacekeeping and respect throughout the world, we must be extremely careful that we are not being dragged along with the others. Let the others play more games but we should really be clear as to where we stand. I read one of the documents with which we were supplied. Section 2 of the Defence...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Irish Aid Programme Review: Discussion (Resumed) (16 Nov 2017)

Seán Barrett: ...but it was the single biggest action that brought us forward. Are there any indications in either country that Kenya or Ethiopia is considering a similar move? It may sound expensive but in the long term it is very cheap. Based on my practical experience and my years in politics, no matter who is in government I stress that once the people are educated they will progress very rapidly....

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medicinal Products Availability (26 Sep 2017)

Seán Barrett: 280. To ask the Minister for Health when the FreeStyle Libre system will be made available under the long-term illness scheme for persons with diabetes; if availability will not be restricted only to persons with type 1 diabetes but will be made available to all persons on multi-daily insulin injections based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40205/17]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in the Mediterranean: Médecins Sans Frontières (6 Jul 2017)

Seán Barrett: I do not want to repeat the questions that have already asked. At this point, the situation is so severe that what is being done is plugging a hole but not answering a question. How long this can go on just plugging holes is a major issue. To the best of my knowledge, this issue is not high on the agenda of the European Parliament. This is a European issue. In fairness to the Italian...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Capital Investment Plan (Resumed): Irish Exporters Association (23 May 2017)

Seán Barrett: ...that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise, or makes charges against either a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or by such a...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Stability Programme Update: Minister for Finance (13 Apr 2017)

Seán Barrett: ...work now. Young people can go into third level education and are fit to travel the world and get jobs. We have a tremendous amount to be pleased with. Like the Minister, I have been around this House a long time. Since 1981 we have gone through various periods and it is time that we considered the positive side. Having said all of that, the one thing that concerns me is we still...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Famine in Africa and Yemen: Médecins sans Frontières, Oxfam and Concern (6 Apr 2017)

Seán Barrett: I was not in any way being critical. Mr. O'Loughlin should not think that for one moment. I was expressing frustration that the crisis in Somalia has continued for such a long period and asking if anything could be done that would have an impact, no matter how small, on the situation. It is frustrating when one considers the long period involved.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Review of the Capital Plan: Transport Infrastructure Ireland (22 Mar 2017)

Seán Barrett: ...in transport, road networks and so on. Substantial investment should be made now when interest rates at practically at zero. As we all know from our days on local authorities, it takes a very long time from the planning stage to the building of any development. By the time we get around to the dream that I have, interest rates will have increased and we will back to the response being...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Competitiveness and Economic Growth: National Competitiveness Council (14 Feb 2017)

Seán Barrett: ...who do this to make certain that we are gaining something from it by getting tax back. That in turn has the effect of notifying the authorities that these people exist. We have ignored all of these things for far too long. It is the nod and the wink and the best of luck to you if you can get away with it approach. However, those who do that are not getting away with it, they are...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Competitiveness and Economic Growth: National Competitiveness Council (14 Feb 2017)

Seán Barrett: Okay. I do not want to put Professor Clinch in an awkward position but all the indicators are that people are getting fed up with it. How long can that be sustained? It has a huge bearing on the whole thing.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Situation in Syria: Discussion (1 Dec 2016)

Seán Barrett: ...and form an opinion. Does Mr. Yassin-Kassab have a proposal we could consider and perhaps progress discussions or whatever. Somebody has to start somewhere. We can give out about Assad for as long as we want but, effectively, he is still in power. This is a problem that must also be solved by the Syrian people.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs and Trade Issues: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (20 Oct 2016)

Seán Barrett: ...protect very carefully. When the Minister gets the opportunity to reply, will he assure us that the independent and neutral role we play, and the importance of it, will never be undermined as long as we hold our position on neutrality?