Results 281-300 of 1,053,935 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Mick Barry OR speaker:Charles Flanagan OR speaker:Réada Cronin OR speaker:Kathleen Funchion OR speaker:Seán Ó Fearghaíl OR speaker:Bríd Smith OR speaker:Pauline Tully OR speaker:Cathal Crowe OR speaker:Jackie Cahill OR speaker:Neale Richmond OR speaker:Peadar Tóibín OR speaker:Danny Healy-Rae OR speaker:Violet-Anne Wynne OR speaker:Matt Shanahan OR speaker:Johnny Mythen) in 'Committee meetings'

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I think we all agree how important the adaptation grants are and how beneficial they are to so many people. The increase in thresholds and the changes are to make sure more people can avail of these vital supports. I cannot give the Deputy an answer on his request regarding the timelines but I can raise it directly with the Minister and ask him to get back to the Deputy about it.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Oct 2024)

Mattie McGrath: We are all acutely aware of the shortage of GPs in Ireland and especially in rural Ireland, but the shortage of dentists and the few remaining in the medical card scheme is very frightening and scary. In some places, people have to travel three counties to get a dentist under the scheme. Remuneration has not been reorganised or reviewed in four decades. I salute dentists like Daniel...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I fully agree. It is absolutely essential we have the appropriate number of dentists to be able to provide a vital service to people, children and adults alike. The figures I just mentioned about a 23% increase of staff overall for our health service includes 9,300 nurses and midwives, 4,000 health and social care but also 3,300 doctors and dentists, so funding has been provided to increase...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Oct 2024)

Marian Harkin: I raise once again the issue of the reinstatement of the 9% VAT rate on the food part of the hospitality sector. I know a decision has been taken in the budget but the finance Bill can still be amended. I am asking the Government to consider this. My own experience in Sligo-Leitrim shows very clearly that small, indigenous Irish-owned cafés and restaurants, many with a local or unique...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Oct 2024)

Helen McEntee: I think we all agree and know that so often our small businesses, our coffee shops or cafés, are what makes Ireland a wonderful place to visit but also for people to live. You do not get in many other countries that kind of service or the kinds of cafés and shops we have. This Government is absolutely committed to supporting them and making sure not only that those businesses are...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Oct 2024)

Christopher O'Sullivan: We should spare a thought today for the people of Bantry in west Cork who have once again experienced devastating flooding in their town. The people of Bantry are angry and frustrated. As politicians and, certainly, Ministers, we must get on the ground and see at first hand the damage that has been done, but to be honest, speaking to the locals there, they do not want to see any more...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 Oct 2024)

Heather Humphreys: In relation to my Department of Social Protection, I brought a memorandum to the Cabinet today to provide supports to householders who have been impacted and who do not have insurance to cover such events. The Minister, Deputy Burke, also brought a memorandum to the Cabinet on supports for businesses. Those are the supports we are putting in place. The Deputy is right that a scheme is in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Charles Flanagan: We have lift-off in the form of a quorum. Our meeting will now commence in public session. I have received apologies from Senator Wilson. I received texts from two Senators to the effect that they are both chairing the Seanad, which is interesting. I am delighted Senator Clonan has joined us to allow us to commence our important meeting with representatives from Dóchas to discuss the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Charles Flanagan: That notwithstanding, I know he will fully comply with our standing orders and meeting regime. I thank Senator Clonan again for allowing us to kick off proceedings. I now call on Ms McKenna to make her opening statement.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Charles Flanagan: Thank you very much. I thank the witnesses who are representing four of the leading groups involved in Ireland's humanitarian work overseas, namely Dóchas, Goal, Concern Worldwide and Trócaire. They have presented us with a stark and shocking assessment of life in Sudan currently, after 500 days of conflict, which involves hunger, famine, conflict, bombardment, sexual violence and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Réada Cronin: I thank everyone for being here. I met a few of the witnesses previously. I thank them for the work they do. We all get up everyday and try to make the world a better place but I really want to thank them for the work they do. We live in critical times. We have the war in Gaza, Palestine, and now Lebanon, as well as Russia's invasion of Ukraine. We also have Sudan, which was dropping...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Réada Cronin: As we heard, women and children are usually the first to suffer in any conflict. Would it be possible for the committee to receive testimonies from women affected, without them being placed at risk? Mr. Regan related a story of a mother of five whose husband was a soldier. If money, wealth and hard work made one rich, African women would be billionaires. There are particular risks for...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Réada Cronin: I am interested in receiving the opening statements because Ms McKenna mentioned specific requests.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Charles Flanagan: I have a few points before we conclude. I acknowledge that all the witnesses primarily, if not exclusively, represent humanitarian organisations and it is often difficult to become involved or, indeed, embroiled in the political situation. It seems, however, that the power struggle along the Red Sea is playing a very important role here. It also seems that the crimes of the RSF appear to be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Charles Flanagan: Are they organised?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Charles Flanagan: How many field workers do we have in the region at present?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Charles Flanagan: The matter of their own safety and protection is itself a big issue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Réada Cronin: We are talking about the amount of conflict going on in the world. We have seen what we would call respectable states targeting aid workers. Is any of that going on with any of the aid workers the organisations represented here have? I also seek the witnesses' opinion on another subject. In Ireland we pride ourselves on our neutrality. The African Union and the Arab League were...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Charles Flanagan: We will come back to the Middle East before we conclude but I do not want to depart from Sudan for the moment.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: Discussion (8 Oct 2024)

Réada Cronin: It is very important that our aid workers are safe in Sudan and are being respected there. Can Ireland do more with the African Union and the Arab League?