Results 4,601-4,620 of 4,720 for speaker:Neale Richmond

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (6 Feb 2025)

Neale Richmond: Ireland has provided over €62 million in support of the Palestinian people since the beginning of 2023. Of this, more than €50 million has been provided in assistance since October 2023. This includes €38 million in core support to UNRWA, as well as the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the World Food Programme and others. Ireland’s...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (6 Feb 2025)

Neale Richmond: Ireland has provided consistent humanitarian and development support to the people of Somalia through the Government's international development programme. Since 2018, in the face of multiple crises in the country, our assistance has amounted to a total of €58 million. We have worked with partners to assist Somalia in dealing with the combined impact of conflict, climate change and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (11 Feb 2025)

Neale Richmond: The Government remains deeply concerned by the appalling humanitarian crisis in Sudan, one of the most severe worldwide. We continue to call for an immediate ceasefire. Since April 2023, over 11.5 million people have been displaced from their homes in the country, and a further 3.4 million have fled to neighbouring countries. The war has crippled Sudan's economy, leaving over 24 million...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (11 Feb 2025)

Neale Richmond: The Government remains strongly committed to supporting Irish communities oversees all over the world, in line with its Global Ireland: Ireland’s Diaspora Strategy 2020-2025. Our new Programme for Government includes a number of priorities to further strengthen our engagement with the diaspora, in particular cultivating ties with newer generations. Supporting culturally...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (11 Feb 2025)

Neale Richmond: The new Programme for Government, Securing Ireland’s Future, includes a number of commitments to further strengthen our engagement with the diaspora including reducing barriers faced by those who wish to return home. In 2025, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will allocate €16.493 million to support the needs of our Irish community overseas. I will ensure that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (11 Feb 2025)

Neale Richmond: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has experienced conflict over many decades, with increasing insecurity and violence in the mineral-rich areas of the East of the country. In July 2024, the Africa-led Luanda process resulted in a ceasefire which significantly reduced the level of armed conflict. However, in January 2025 the M23 militia commenced a major offensive in eastern DRC...

Protection of Tenants' Deposits Bill 2025: First Stage (13 Feb 2025)

Neale Richmond: No.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defence Forces (13 Feb 2025)

Neale Richmond: I take this debate on behalf of the Tánaiste as his Minister of State. If it is appropriate, I will pay credit to the Deputy for his time in the Chair and for his mentoring and guidance of new TDs the first time they rose in a debate like this. My first Topical Issue was during the height of the first lockdown of the Covid pandemic. These are far more comfortable surroundings for...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defence Forces (13 Feb 2025)

Neale Richmond: I thank Deputy Ó Fearghaíl for his supplementary contribution. For the information of the House, as the Minister with responsibility for defence, the Tánaiste is the custodian and guardian of the Curragh lands pursuant to the provisions of the Curragh of Kildare Act 1961. Under that Act, the Curragh Plains are recognised as a working environment for the State's Defence Forces...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (12 Feb 2025)

Neale Richmond: Almost two years of conflict has plunged Sudan into a catastrophic crisis of hunger and displacement. Over 11.5 million people have been displaced from their homes, and a further 3.4 million have fled to neighbouring countries. The war has crippled Sudan's economy, leaving over 24 million people in acute food insecurity, with some facing famine. We are gravely concerned by the scale of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (12 Feb 2025)

Neale Richmond: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60, 88 and 89 together. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has experienced conflict over many decades, with increasing insecurity and violence in the mineral-rich areas of the east of the country. In July 2024, the Africa-led Luanda process resulted in a ceasefire which significantly reduced the level of armed conflict. However, in January 2025 the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (12 Feb 2025)

Neale Richmond: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 81 together. The Government remains firmly committed to Ireland’s international development assistance programme and to reaching the furthest behind first. Ireland has worked with the US Administration and the United Stated Agency for International Development (USAID) on several global and country programmes that support sustainable...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Official Engagements (12 Feb 2025)

Neale Richmond: Ireland maintains diplomatic relations with Rwanda through our Ambassador in Uganda, who is also accredited to Rwanda, and in contacts with the Rwandan Ambassador in London, who is also accredited to Ireland. Our Ambassador in Kampala, and officials from the Embassy, travel regularly to Rwanda for a range of activities, including meetings with government officials, Irish community events,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (13 Feb 2025)

Neale Richmond: I would like to acknowledge the important role played by the Irish organisation, The Gaza Paediatric Care Initiative (GPCI), in cooperation with the Irish Red Cross (IRC), on the recent arrival for treatment in Ireland of 8 children, and their family members from Gaza. With the assistance of the Government, they were evacuated from Gaza to Ireland, via Egypt, under the EU Civil Protection...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Funding (18 Feb 2025)

Neale Richmond: The Government of Ireland does not receive funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). However, the Department of Foreign Affairs and USAID have had a longstanding collaboration in the fight against poverty and inequality around the world. Since 2022, Ireland has collaborated with USAID on areas of work that were identified as being of mutual interest and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (19 Feb 2025)

Neale Richmond: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 12, inclusive, together. The Government remains firmly committed to Ireland’s international development assistance programme and to its overriding priority, to reach the furthest behind first. Ireland has worked with the US Administration and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on several global and country...

Third Anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine: Statements (26 Feb 2025)

Neale Richmond: I greatly appreciate the opportunity to close this very important debate today. I also welcome our Ukrainian friends who are here in the Gallery, especially their truly excellent ambassador. I thank them for their continued advocacy. There was a sheer breadth of contributions over this period, from all parties and none, from such a range of Deputies. It is a rare time we see such...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (25 Feb 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. Ireland has worked with the US Administration and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on several global and country programmes that support sustainable development and humanitarian...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (26 Feb 2025)

Neale Richmond: The Government remains firmly committed to Ireland’s international development assistance programme and its overriding priority, to reach the furthest behind first. Ireland has worked with the US Administration and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on several global?and country?programmes that support sustainable development and humanitarian response,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (26 Feb 2025)

Neale Richmond: Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from 1 July to 31 December 2026. Preparations for the Presidency are being led by the Department of Foreign Affairs, in close co-operation with the Department of the Taoiseach and with input from all Departments across Government. We have been actively following significant policy developments at EU level, which will...