Results 21-40 of 4,850 for speaker:Neale Richmond

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Issues (8 Sep 2025)

Neale Richmond: In line with the Programme for Government commitment to develop our next Diaspora Strategy, I am leading an extensive consultation process with our diaspora both in person and online. The aim of this process is to ensure that the next strategy can reflect the needs of the global Irish community in an ever changing world. To date, I have also led in-person discussions with community groups...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (8 Sep 2025)

Neale Richmond: I remain deeply concerned by the situation in Sudan. More than two years of conflict have resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Over 14 million people have been forced to flee their homes and over 25 million people are in acute food insecurity, with many facing famine. We are seriously concerned at by reports of ongoing attacks in Sudan, including those carried out by the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (8 Sep 2025)

Neale Richmond: We share the concern at the recent decision by the transitional parliament in Burkina Faso to pass legislation criminalising LGBTQI+ persons. The promotion and protection of human rights is a domestic and foreign policy priority for the Government, underpinned by our commitment to universal human rights. We recognise that LGBTQI+ people continue to suffer disproportionate levels of violence...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (29 Jul 2025)

Neale Richmond: I look forward to engaging on Ireland's Presidency of the EU in the second half of 2026, when international development issues will be important on the agenda. On 16 July, the Commission published its proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which is due to run from 2028 to 2034. To ensure that our priorities were well communicated and understood,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Issues (29 Jul 2025)

Neale Richmond: Work is under way on the development of a new Diaspora Strategy for 2026-2031, in line with commitments in the Programme for Government. This will succeed our current strategy, which expires at the end of this year. I am keen to understand the issues affecting long-standing emigrants, newer arrivals, second and third generations and those in under-represented communities so that our new...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Issues (29 Jul 2025)

Neale Richmond: The Government remains committed to deepening our ties with the diaspora and ensuring there are supports in place to assist our all emigrants including those considering returning home. Working to reduce barriers for emigrants wishing to return to Ireland is a central priority for the Interdepartmental Committee on the Irish Abroad, which I chair. The Committee consists of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (29 Jul 2025)

Neale Richmond: Ireland’s official development cooperation in Mozambique is managed by the Africa Strategy, A Better World, the Government's international development policy, and the Embassy's own strategy for the period 2025 to 2030. Two strategic objectives are set out: deepening Ireland’s linkages with Mozambique and supporting inclusive and sustainable development. The Embassy has a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Issues (29 Jul 2025)

Neale Richmond: The Government remains committed to deepening our ties with the diaspora and ensuring there are supports in place to assist our all emigrants including those considering returning home. Working to reduce barriers for emigrants wishing to return to Ireland is a central priority for the Interdepartmental Committee on the Irish Abroad, which I chair. The Committee consists of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (29 Jul 2025)

Neale Richmond: I and officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have maintained regular and close contact with the main Irish development NGOs as they respond to the situation as a result of cutbacks in ODA by some major donors. I have emphasised that the Government remains firmly committed to Ireland’s international development programme and to its overriding priority, to reach the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Agreements (29 Jul 2025)

Neale Richmond: The decision to require visas for entry to Ireland for nationals of South Africa and Botswana came into effect on 10 July 2024. The decision was communicated to the South African authorities and the Embassy in Pretoria immediately communicated to the public through a dedicated web page, social media posts, information videos and media engagement. The reach of this material was amplified...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Issues (29 Jul 2025)

Neale Richmond: The Government remains committed to deepening our ties with the global Irish and supporting them to build diverse and dynamic communities overseas. Our work is underpinned by the Emigrant Support Programme (ESP), which is overseen by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Since its establishment in 2004, the ESP will, by the end of this year, have provided over €265 million to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (29 Jul 2025)

Neale Richmond: The impact of cutbacks in ODA by major developed countries, notably the US, but also some of our EU partners, is already being felt. The immediate impact in developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, can be seen in sectors such as global health, humanitarian response, and governance and human rights. The situation featured strongly in discussions at the meeting of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Debt Relief (29 Jul 2025)

Neale Richmond: Tackling the international arrangements to handle global debt issues is a complex and difficult process, in part due to the growing prominence of non-traditional creditors and the historical accumulation of debt owed to various countries. However, the Government is clear that efforts need to continue in order to provide timely, predictable and fair debt restructuring and relief for developing...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Debt Relief (29 Jul 2025)

Neale Richmond: The Government shares the concern that growing debt servicing costs continue to constrain the fiscal space for many developing countries, potentially translating into reductions in expenditure on health, education and social protection. This threatens to increase poverty and inequality, disproportionately affecting the furthest behind. It is also clear that the decisions by a number of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Issues (29 Jul 2025)

Neale Richmond: With the Government’s current Diaspora Strategy expiring at the end of 2025, I have been leading an extensive consultation process to inform our next Strategy, which will launch at the Global Irish Civic Forum in April 2026. This consultation exercise has involved meeting with diaspora organisations at home and abroad. I have led in-person discussions with community groups...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Meetings (17 Jul 2025)

Neale Richmond: I headed Ireland's delegation to the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, which was held in Seville between 30 June and 3 July, 2025. I delivered Ireland’s National Statement, which focused on the role of Official Development Assistance (ODA) in supporting the poorest and most vulnerable countries, the importance of strengthening Domestic Resource...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Reports (17 Jul 2025)

Neale Richmond: The Government recognises clearly that a country’s ability to borrow is essential to enabling investment in sustainable development. However, growing debt servicing costs continue to constrain developing countries’ fiscal space, potentially translating into reductions in expenditure on health, education and social protection. This seriously risks further setbacks on poverty and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Reports (17 Jul 2025)

Neale Richmond: The Government remains firmly committed to Ireland’s international development assistance programme and to its overriding priority, to reach the furthest behind first. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been following closely the reports and announcements by a number of major donors which are reducing their Official Development Assistance (ODA). The OECD estimated...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Funding (15 Jul 2025)

Neale Richmond: Through our international development programme, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has provided support to the Population Council, an international non-governmental organisation, for its work to develop HIV prevention products for women in low-income settings. Funding of €500,000 was provided for this work in 2023. A further €500,000 was provided in July 2024....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Issues (10 Jul 2025)

Neale Richmond: The Government is committed to deepening our ties with our diaspora to ensure our relationship with our global Irish communities is a dynamic one that meets their needs and can also adapt to evolving circumstances. Central to our approach is the Emigrant Support Programme (ESP), which provides grants to organisations in the voluntary sector who work with our most vulnerable citizens...