Results 321-340 of 1,981 for speaker:Conor Lenihan

Written Answers — Humanitarian Situations: Humanitarian Situations (6 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: Since 2004, an early end to the rains and desert locust damage to crops and pasture lands adversely affected pasture availability and cereal production in the Sahel region of west Africa. These events exacerbated existing poverty and vulnerability resulting in severe food shortages across a wide region, including in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Mauritania. In response to the food crisis,...

Written Answers — International Summits: International Summits (6 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: The summit meeting of the G8 on 6 and 8 July addressed a number of important issues, some of which have particular relevance for international development. In particular, I warmly welcome the decision to double aid for Africa by 2010. Taken together with the decision of the European Union to devote 0.56% of its gross national income, GNI, to official development assistance by 2010 and to...

Written Answers — Humanitarian Situations: Humanitarian Situations (6 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: South Africa is one of the most highly affected countries in the world with regard to HIV and AIDS and prevalence rates stand at 21.5% of the adult population. At the end of 2003, with an estimated 5.3 million people living with HIV and AIDS, South Africa had the largest number of individuals living with the virus in a single country. Women contract the virus at a much earlier age than their...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (6 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: The Government's programme of assistance to developing countries reflects our long-standing commitment to human rights and fairness in international relations and the recognition that democratisation, good governance and the promotion of human rights are as important as economic policy and reform for reducing poverty and achieving development. Support to good governance and democratisation is...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (6 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: Each year more than 500,000 women die as a result of complications associated with pregnancy or giving birth, 95% of which deaths occur in Africa and Asia with less than 1% occurring in more developed countries. Many millions of women who survive childbirth suffer illness and disability afterwards. The reduction of maternal mortality is one of the key targets of the millennium declaration....

Written Answers — Natural Disasters: Natural Disasters (6 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: Ireland has committed €1 million in financial assistance for those affected by hurricane Katrina. Of this, some €700,000 has been channelled to the American Red Cross through the Irish Red Cross. The remainder will be disbursed by the Irish Embassy in the United States with the objective of assisting civil society groups in the Gulf Coast area in the local recovery effort. Ireland, along...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (6 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together. The challenges facing Africa are enormous. Food insecurity, starvation, conflict and HIV-AIDS appear at times to create an endless cycle of poverty and conflict. Addressing these issues is one of the most important tasks to which we can dedicate ourselves in the 21st century. The Government responds in two ways to the humanitarian and...

Written Answers — Debt Relief: Debt Relief (6 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: At their meeting in Gleneagles in July, the G8 countries agreed on an initiative for the cancellation of debt owed to the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the IMF. The scheme will provide for the cancellation of debt for 18 heavily indebted poor countries — HIPCs. The G8 initiative has been welcomed by Ministers meeting in the development committee ministerial meetings of the...

Natural Disasters in Asia and Central America: Statements. (13 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I welcome the opportunity to make a statement to the Dáil on this matter. We have all been shocked and saddened at the destruction wreaked by the natural disaster which hit northern Pakistan and the surrounding areas on Saturday. The earthquake measured approximately 7.6 on the Richter scale. Aftershocks were as high as 5.9 in the immediate aftermath and they continue still on a lesser...

Natural Disasters in Asia and Central America: Statements. (13 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: The money is coming out of the emergency fund, which is part of our existing funding.

Natural Disasters in Asia and Central America: Statements. (13 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: The budget line for this relief effort is from devoted emergency assistance resources. Of the funding allocated for relief in the wake of the St. Stephen's Day tsunami, €10 million came from the existing emergency fund and an additional €10 million was sanctioned by the Department of Finance, bringing the total contribution to €20 million. In this case, it will not be necessary to seek...

Natural Disasters in Asia and Central America: Statements. (13 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I thank all Members on a cross-party basis for the intelligent, sympathetic and insightful contributions made in the debate. I was struck particularly by the contribution of the last speaker, Deputy Carey, who urged that Ireland should lead the process of discussion, negotiation and hard change at a UN and international level in terms of how Ireland will respond in future to disasters of this...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (18 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 453 and 454 together. We have all been shocked and saddened by the destruction wreaked by the natural disasters which hit Pakistan and Central America. I made a detailed statement on the Government's response to these crises during the special Dáil debate on the matter last Wednesday. With regard to northern Pakistan and affected neighbouring areas, Ireland...

Order of Business. (26 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: Deputy Costello has had a fair few slots himself.

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (26 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: In the aftermath of the devastating tsunami which struck south Asia and parts of east Africa on 26 December 2004, the Government appointed Mr. Chris Flood, former Minister of State, and current chairman of the advisory board to Development Co-operation Ireland, as special envoy to the region. The envoy's mandate was to oversee the use of Irish funding in response to the tsunami and to ensure...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (26 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: The Taoiseach announced at the UN Millennium Review Summit in New York on 14 September that the Government would reach the target of spending 0.7% of GNP on official development assistance by 2012. Interim targets of 0.47% of GNP in 2006 and 0.5% in 2007 have also been agreed. The 2006 Estimates process is under way and the allocations to the Vote of the Department of Foreign Affairs for...

Written Answers — Development Co-operation: Development Co-operation (2 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: The political, economic and humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate. The economy has contracted by approximately 40% in recent years and devaluation of the currency is a function of this economic crisis. Continuous devaluation fuels inflation and puts basic necessities further out of the reach of the poor. Poverty and vulnerability are worsening and the current political...

Order of Business. (3 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: We will have to get an injunction against the Deputy.

Irish Unification: Motion (Resumed). (3 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I was pleased to see Mr. Adams and Mr. Doherty here yesterday. It would be better, however, if they applied their time and effort to restoring the institutions and a relationship with the Unionist community in the North by forming the assembly and executive that are so necessary. The amended wording proposed by the Government addressed clear gaps in the text of the motion proposed to the...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (8 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: An independent audit committee was established in the Department of Foreign Affairs in November 2003. The members are: John Gerard O'Connor, chairperson, John S. Pittock, John A. Jackson and Valerie Little. The committee held the following meetings from November 2004 to November 2005: In 2004 on 17 and 29 November and 17 December; in 2005 on 28 January, 1 and 18 March, 14 April, 6 May, 9...