Results 361-380 of 1,981 for speaker:Conor Lenihan

Decentralisation Programme. (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: We are in regular consultation with the NGOs, weekly and almost daily.

Decentralisation Programme. (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: They have outlined to us their concerns, as has the advisory board which advises me as Minister for State.

Decentralisation Programme. (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: We have assured them of the kind of strategies to minimise the potential risks which I outlined.

Decentralisation Programme. (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: There is a number of knowledge management systems being piloted on the Internet and we will have extensive use of video conferencing facilities so that whatever move is made to Limerick there will be a coherent and integrated approach in our relationship with the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin and our colleagues there. I do not anticipate any great difficulties.

Decentralisation Programme. (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: It has become quite the trend internationally, in Holland, Britain and in other countries, to decentralise to the field.

Decentralisation Programme. (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: At the same time I hear Members on the opposite side of the House objecting to decentralisation which involves travelling less than 200 miles down the road. Deputy Allen is displaying the usual Irish absurd obsession with short distances and conflating them with large distances.

Overseas Development Aid. (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: Ireland was among the first countries to respond to the appalling disaster in South Asia. Within a few hours of the earthquake, €1 million was pledged towards immediate relief efforts in northern Pakistan and the surrounding regions. As the casualty figures rose dramatically, our response was increased to €5 million, placing Ireland as one of the highest donors to the disaster on a per...

Overseas Development Aid. (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I share the Deputy's utter frustration in this regard. I do not wish to be seen as patting ourselves on the back but Ireland has responded consistently and rapidly to every humanitarian crisis of 2005. As the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, insisted at the beginning of the year with regard to the tsunami, we have diligently tracked these pledges and held countries to account so that promises...

Overseas Development Aid. (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: Generally speaking, the European response is good. The Minister made strong representations at every level in terms of equipping Europe with a more appropriate and speedy civil response mechanism. He consistently identified such a priority at meetings throughout this year and we intend to follow that up. It is frustrating that not everyone is like us in providing money. Alongside the Nordic...

Overseas Development Aid. (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I will inquire of the Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Mr. Louis Michel, whether that can be done and will revert to the Deputy. As Europe has its own ways of working, I am reluctant to give a firm commitment on that matter.

Written Answers — Middle East Peace Process: Middle East Peace Process (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: The core objective of Irish assistance to Palestine is to alleviate the material consequences of the ongoing conflict, by enhancing the capacity of Ireland's partners in Palestine, particularly the Palestinian Authority, to respond to the crisis and to begin, where possible, to meet the future development needs of the Palestinian people. By the end of 2005, it is estimated that Ireland will...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: The Taoiseach announced at the UN Millennium Review Summit in New York on 14 September that the Government will reach the target of spending 0.7% of GNP on official development assistance by 2012. We have agreed a number of steps along the way to achieving the target, including interim targets of 0.5% of GNP in 2007 and 0.6% in 2010. We have, therefore, a clear pathway to achieving the UN...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 17 and 22 together. Under the Government's decentralisation programme, announced in December 2003, the development co-operation directorate of the Department of Foreign Affairs, currently based in Dublin, is scheduled to decentralise to Limerick. This will involve the relocation to Limerick of 123 posts and is scheduled to take place during the first...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 50, 62, 64, 90 and 137 together. The earthquake which struck south Asia, particularly Pakistan, on 8 October has had devastating consequences. The unusual shallow nature of the quake caused widespread structural damage and current estimates put the dead at over 70,000, including 17,000 children. It has been followed by some 900 aftershocks, one of which...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: The Government is committed to funding the International Association of Business and Parliament in the amount of €286,170 over a two-year period in support of a project aimed at strengthening legislatures in Georgia, Ukraine, Armenia and Moldova. The overall objective of the project is to foster economic development and good governance, as prerequisites for poverty reduction, through the...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 71 together. The Taoiseach announced at the UN Millennium Review Summit in New York on 14 September that the Government will reach the target of spending 0.7% of GNP on official development assistance by 2012. We have agreed a number of steps along the way to achieving the target. First, we have an interim target of 0.5% of GNP in 2007. Second, aid...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: The original UN Flash Appeal for the region affected by the tsunami was for US$97.1 million. This figure was later increased to just over US$1 billion. Ireland pledged €20 million to tsunami relief and that pledge has been fully committed. On a per capita basis, the total combined contribution from the Government and the Irish public was one of the highest in the world. The most accurate...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: Since January 2000, Ireland has allocated over €28 million in funding for development and humanitarian programmes in Afghanistan. Ireland's funding to Afghanistan is delivered through a range of partners with a proven record of delivering assistance to those most in need and through mechanisms such as World Bank trust funds, designed to build capacity and to deliver essential services. Our...

Written Answers — Election Observation Missions: Election Observation Missions (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 69 together. The Government responds to requests to participate in constitutional referendums and election observation missions in a positive manner and ensures, where possible, that Irish representatives are included in such missions. Over the past ten years, Ireland has been invited to send observers to approximately 150 missions and has participated...

Written Answers — Humanitarian Disasters: Humanitarian Disasters (10 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: Ireland was among the first countries to respond to the south Asia earthquake disaster. Within a few hours of the earthquake, €1 million was pledged towards immediate relief efforts in northern Pakistan and the surrounding regions. As the casualty figures rose dramatically, our response was increased to €5 million, placing Ireland as one of the highest donors to the disaster on a per...