Results 4,801-4,820 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Other Questions: Overseas Development Aid Oversight (23 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: I share Deputy O'Sullivan's concerns about where the debate is at. Yesterday I met with a number of NGO chief executives, including Peter Maurer from the International Committee of the Red Cross, and everyone is having the debate on what is the best way forward. Critical to that debate are the people on the ground, especially the NGOs, but they also feed in to a multi-lateral platform which...

Other Questions: Overseas Development Aid Oversight (23 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: In some instances, there are concerns around how one distributes the money. In these particular countries, we are talking about going to the NGOs or collaboration with the UN and NGOs, such as the Red Cross. We also must ensure that money does not go through government, so transparency must also be to the fore. We have to build the capacity at local level. The NGOs are at the forefront...

Other Questions: Humanitarian Aid (23 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: I am seriously concerned about the growing humanitarian crisis in north-eastern Nigeria, following seven years of Boko Haram violence. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that 14 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, as the Deputy correctly pointed out. More than 4.4 million people are in urgent need of food assistance and up to 400,000...

Other Questions: Humanitarian Aid (23 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: I agree and I am glad the Deputy has raised the issue because there are many forgotten crises. In recent days along the Lake Chad border there has been an eruption of violence. When we consider that in Chad alone, 9 million of the global displaced population of 65 million, are displaced it gives an indication. The efforts at EU level and whatever collaborative approaches need to be carried...

Other Questions: Humanitarian Aid (23 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: Looking at the global figure, the EU has pledged €50 million in support of the multinational joint task force which supports 8,700 troops. The European Commission has also provided $52.4 million in funding towards humanitarian situations. We have the money and it is about how best we use it, given the nuances around culture, what is needed and what is best for specific regions. We...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (23 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: The continuing conflict in Syria has generated the most serious humanitarian crisis in the world today. Minister Flanagan and I have focused on the crisis in a range of discussions in recent months at EU level, at the UN, and with our civil society partners. The Government is strongly committed to responding to the extraordinary humanitarian needs of the Syrian people. Since 2012,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Aid (23 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: Through the Irish Aid programme, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade works with a range of partners to deliver on our longstanding commitment to improve access to quality health and HIV services for poor and marginalised communities. Since 2003, Irish Aid has worked in partnership with the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Health Access Initiative on the fight against HIV and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (23 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: Humanitarian assistance is a key foreign policy priority for Ireland. In 2015, Ireland’s humanitarian funding amounted to more than €142 million. This level of funding will be maintained in 2016, in response to unprecedented levels of humanitarian need. Ireland also contributes to the European Commission’s humanitarian action outside the EU, which has an annual...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (23 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: The Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme, and to its place at the heart of our foreign policy. Our policy for international development, “One World, One Future”, clearly articulates our commitment to the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Product (GNP) in Official Development Assistance (ODA) as economic conditions allow. In...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (23 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: Ireland responded quickly to the devastation and suffering caused by Hurricane Matthew in Haiti. Through Irish Aid, the Government has provided just over €2 million to date in humanitarian assistancethrough experienced NGO partners. In the immediate aftermath of the Hurricane, the Department organised two airlifts of humanitarian supplies to provide relief to 2,500 families in the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Aid (23 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: Since 2012, Ireland has provided a total of €62 million in humanitarian assistance to Syria and the region. At present, it is Ireland’s largest response to any humanitarian crisis. Of the €20 million in funding provided by Ireland so far in 2016, €14 million has been delivered through the Irish Aid programme, managed by my Department, and €6 million...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (23 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: I am acutely aware of the need for a high degree of assurance that our overseas aid continues to reach its intended beneficiaries, even in challenging environments. Ireland has long been committed to making a difference in the lives of the poorest people. Ireland’s Official Development Assistance increased in 2016, demonstrating the continuing importance we place on providing aid...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (23 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: Supporting countries and communities most seriously in need is the core work of Ireland’s development assistance programme. The Government’s Policy for International Development, One World One Future, has a strong emphasis on bringing lasting benefits to the poorest and most vulnerable. The most recent Peer Review by the OECD of the Irish Aid programme, in 2014, singled out...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (24 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: Tá áthas orm bheith i gcomhluadar an Chathaoirligh agus baill an choiste chun Meastúcháin Breise teicniúla i gcóir Vóta 28 don Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Trádála a phlé. I am pleased to be here this afternoon for the committee's consideration of a technical Supplementary Estimate in 2016 for Vote 28 for the Department of...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (24 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: I thank Deputy Grealish for his remarks. I concur with him on the level of efficiency and professionalism among the staff of the Passport Office in cases where, for example, someone is under pressure to obtain a passport in order to travel to a job interview or to university or for more personal or challenging reasons relating to a bereavement. I agree with the Deputy not just on the level...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (24 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: On the increase in the number of applications for Irish passports and to tie-in with Deputy McLoughlin's point about the statistical impact of Brexit, there has been a 70% increase in the number of applications from people in Northern Ireland. However, I assure Deputy Grealish that all passport applications are carefully vetted. Deputy Grealish also mentioned the recent election in the...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (24 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: I have visited the consulate office in Edinburgh, the embassy in London and the consulates in Boston and San Francisco. The staff there do great work. They have to give advice in respect of that to which people are entitled. It is a very good service. I agree that the Irish Army members serving in Lebanon are doing great work. One in three, more than 30% of the population in Lebanon...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (24 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: They are from all over. I do not want to be parochial either but I had the opportunity to meet young lads from Ramelton in my county at a ceremony. They are doing great work In response to Deputy McLoughlin's question on Brexit, from my time spent in Edinburgh and Glasgow a few weeks ago, I am aware that business carries on and there is a great positivity regarding Irish and Scottish...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (24 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: To take Deputy Barrett first, I acknowledge the service and agree with him about it. The entitlement to a passport is based on citizenship in the first instance and determined by law. There are two automatic categories. If one is born in Ireland or one's parents were born here, that is automatic. Then, one has the grandparent facility, but that is after registration. As such, there is a...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2016
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (24 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: I have no problem doing that.