151. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on his recent trip to the United States for St. Patrick’s Day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15230/25]
Sentiment score: 0.15
We all realise we are in very choppy waters regarding America. We will see exactly what Donald Trump intends with "liberation day". I am not sure that it is aptly named. We all know the damage tariffs can do with regard to international trade. I get the idea that we need to have discussions and make sure they lead to solutions. We cannot prepare for every circumstance, but there has to be a significant amount of preparation. The Tánaiste noted that he spoke to Kathy Hochul and Brendan Boyle. He also had engagements with Howard Lutnick and Marco Rubio in the last while. There is a sense of where the wider administration and corporate leaders are regarding where we can go and whether we have an element of traction. There are many things we need to do regarding our medium enterprise sector but we also need to make sure we maintain the necessary connection we have to business and beyond in America.
Sentiment score: 0.06
A better metaphor.
Sentiment score: 0.44
We all get the idea of the instability that exists. We hope that this, on some level, informs those around the leadership and the American President. Engagement is absolutely necessary. We can now go straight to the next question.
Sentiment score: 0.28
I did not say that. I chose to forget about that altogether and not make any comment. Unfortunately, the Ceann Comhairle has brought it back into the mire.
Sentiment score: -0.19
146. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider including the renewal reminder on online passport applications instead of the optional sign-up service on the Department's website; if there are plans to further streamline the passport service’s work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15231/25]
Sentiment score: 0.01
This question relates to including on online passport applications a renewal reminder rather than the optional sign-up service on the Department's website. We all know the issue this causes with passports. All politicians are inundated with queries about this particular issue. We all know there is a need for streamlining. We know there is an issue with calling Garda stations and gardaí having to go to a book. We need to be able to move beyond all of that. We need a reminder system that works.
Sentiment score: 0.00
Many Members have brought up the issue of engagement with the Garda. We need a memorandum of understanding on and a technological solution to that. It could be any sort of reminder. A couple of people asked me why it cannot be like the reminder you get for your motor tax. I am not sure that everybody necessarily follows through on that as they should, but we need to make sure that we make it as easy as possible and remind people about it. There is always an informative piece that needs to happen. We need to inform people to check their passports before they book holidays, particularly ones that are just about to run out. We know that people who are travelling to the US and farther afield at times can have an issue where their passports can run out within a six-month period or so.
Sentiment score: 0.14
It is all right, you can ring a TD.
Sentiment score: 0.00
The other issue we have seen brought up is the timeline when there is a mistake. We have all seen people who have made mistakes with the online applications and others who have uploaded photographs and believe that everything is fine, and then it is not. It is as if the clock restarts when a problem occurs. That needs to be addressed. If the Ceann Comhairle will allow me some flexibility-----
Sentiment score: -0.14
I welcome what the Tánaiste said about the case of Seán Rooney. The Tánaiste knows that the parents are looking at visiting the court. I ask about the engagement with the UN. I know there has been some sort of preliminary notice. The Tánaiste made contact regarding the information that was looked for by the Dublin coroner and the information that should be provided to the family. It is a matter of making sure all that happens.
Sentiment score: 0.21