Results 1-20 of 6,705 for speaker:Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (19 Nov 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Referencing briefly my first question, we have gone past the time for speaking generally. We need to be more direct. My next question is separate and relates to the area of overseas development. Obviously, a significant crisis is being caused by the huge cut in USAID. Whether anyone can fill the gap is a question. One of the proposals being explored by development organisations is the...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (19 Nov 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: That is not disputed.

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (19 Nov 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: That is not new.

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (19 Nov 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Some other Deputies and I referred to the situation in Sudan. While the EU is not a party to that conflict, there are concerns regarding a significant flow of weapons from the United Arab Emirates to Sudan. It has denied that but there are credible reports that suggest this. Some of the commentary in recent days indicates there may be a change in the United Arab Emirates’ position,...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (19 Nov 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I welcome all that but the point still remains that Ireland and the EU have no direct influence over the RSF. The United Arab Emirates does. Has Ireland raised directly, or at EU level, the need for the UAE Government to reduce its impact on the area? Who have we influenced in this conflict? It is not the RSF. We have limited influence on the Sudanese Government. Are we raising this...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (19 Nov 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I want to take the opportunity to condemn the Russian attack on Ukraine last night. The latest reports are that at least 20 people have been killed, including two children, in a Russian drone and missile attack on the western city of Ternopil that hit two blocks of flats. Another 66 people were injured, 16 of them were children, in one of the deadliest Russian attacks on western Ukraine...

Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill: Motion [Private Members] (19 Nov 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Some 250 people have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire. As of 11 November, there have been 282 breaches of the ceasefire. That is some ceasefire. That equates to about 10% of the number of people killed in the entire Irish War of Independence. The number of people being killed in Gaza every day is still enormous. There has been a lot of discussion about this ceasefire, this deal...

Ukraine: Statements (18 Nov 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Geall le ceithre bliana ó shin, rinne Vladimir Putin agus an Rúis ionsaí uafásach ar an Úcráin, agus is é "uafásach" an focal ceart agus cuí le n-úsáid. Ina dhiaidh sin, lean an choimhlint agus cogadh is mó san Eoraip le 80 bliain anuas, agus go leor teifigh ag teacht as sin....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (13 Nov 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 167. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent election in Tanzania (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62663/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (6 Nov 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 30. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the capacity in the Naval Service, in terms of personnel, specialist personnel and fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60510/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (6 Nov 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: The Naval Service is of particular importance to us as an island nation. It is essential. We talked about the full radar picture earlier. It is crucial that we have the capacity. It is unacceptable that we have had a situation over the past year and a half that ships have been put to sea without a functioning main gun because of inadequate personnel. I raised the issue of artificers...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Naval Service (6 Nov 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I agree with all that has been said by Deputy Smith. I will also flag the issue of cadets. We spoke about cadets and subsequently officers in the Defence Forces as a whole a short time ago, where serious challenges exist. In the 63rd naval cadet class, six cadets commenced training but only two were commissioned. The remaining four withdrew before commissioning, citing the extended...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cybersecurity Policy (6 Nov 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: That is welcome. There are still multiples of that envisioned under the commission on the future of the Defence Forces. Off the top of my head, it was about 300 but that is from memory so I might be wrong on that. We are in a fortunate position that the intelligence elements of the Defence Forces and the Garda have a good working relationship but that is not necessarily the experience...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (6 Nov 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 8. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to provide an update on the issue of chaplains, who are without representation despite working for, and being paid by, his Department. [60515/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (6 Nov 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: In August 2024, Fr. Paul Murphy was the subject of a heinous attack at Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa in Galway. It was an appalling attack. It underscored the vulnerability of those serving in the unique and vital role of military chaplains to our Defence Forces. I am seeking an update - I know it was discussed recently - on the issue of representation for chaplains working for and paid...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (6 Nov 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Perhaps there is not a great deal more that can be added to that. Fr. Murphy, in particular, is regarded with great affection and trust by members of the Defence Forces. He responded to that attack with great courage and a great deal of grace as well. It is an important role. This was discussed at the RACO conference. As outlined, the legal advice is that chaplains are not members of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (6 Nov 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: As I said, there is not a great deal to add. If it is being worked on, that is welcome. Please keep us updated. It was suggested that a defence amendment Bill may be in the pipeline. I cannot say I will vote for but I might vote for that section. Please keep the House and the committee updated. I appreciate it is not possible in the current legislative framework but it is logical and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cybersecurity Policy (6 Nov 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 174. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress his Department has made regarding the establishment of a joint cybersecurity command and other actions related to cybersecurity contained in the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60523/25]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cybersecurity Policy (6 Nov 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: This is going to be a challenging area for this and every jurisdiction. I know work is being advanced. Returning to the area of specialist personnel, it is an area that is going to be crucial. Will the Minister provide an update on developments? I know some specialist staff have been taken on. I think we determined previously that the cybersecurity command has been established. Will the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cybersecurity Policy (6 Nov 2025)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: We welcome the progress that has been made. A lot more personnel will be needed over time, particularly when you look at the scale of personnel envisioned in the Commission on the Defence Forces. We could do with some clarity on the relationship between the cybersecurity command and the National Cyber Security Centre. It was previously answerable to the Department of communications. It is...