Results 4,841-4,860 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (25 Jan 2017)

Joe McHugh: I am deeply concerned by the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria. Despite recent progress made by Nigerian and regional armed forces, violence by Boko Haram remains a serious threat to the peace and security of Nigeria and to the wider Lake Chad region. This conflict has resulted in the displacement of millions of people and has caused a humanitarian crisis affecting some 14 million people. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (25 Jan 2017)

Joe McHugh: The provision of effective humanitarian assistance is a key foreign policy priority for the Government. Ireland provided over €150 million in humanitarian funding in 2016, to provide assistance to people affected by crisis and conflict around the world. Ireland’s humanitarian assistance is targeted at where needs are greatest and we ensure a focus on crises and conflicts...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (25 Jan 2017)

Joe McHugh: We remain deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis facing the Syrian people. Despite the cessation of hostilities since 30 December 2016, the current situation remains extremely fragile and the humanitarian situation dire for many Syrians. Minister Flanagan and I repeatedly raised our concerns about the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Syria during 2016. We will continue to do so,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (25 Jan 2017)

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: Foreign Conflicts (25 Jan 2017)

Joe McHugh: I share the great concern about the loss of life and the injuries caused as a result of the bombing carried out last week by the Nigerian military at Rann camp for displaced people in Northeast Nigeria. I acknowledge the expressions of regret by the Nigerian Government, including by President Buhari, and I welcome their commitment to a thorough investigation into the incident. I wish to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (25 Jan 2017)

Joe McHugh: We remain deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis facing the Syrian people. Despite the cessation of hostilities since 30 December 2016, the situation remains extremely fragile and the humanitarian crisis persists for many Syrians. Humanitarian access and the protection of civilians are binding legal obligations for all parties and must be observed. Since 2012, Ireland has...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (25 Jan 2017)

Joe McHugh: The European Union is fully committed to effective multilateralism and this commitment, with the UN at its core, is a central element of the approach to external action as set out in the EU’s new Global Strategy. The EU works closely with the UN system on the issues and challenges which face the world today, including on the migration and refugee crisis. The UN system, notably the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (25 Jan 2017)

Joe McHugh: The world is facing an unprecedented level of humanitarian need. In 2017, the UN estimates that 92.8 million people are in need of some form of humanitarian assistance, over 65 million people are displaced from their homes across the world, and $22.2 billion is needed to fund the global humanitarian response. Ireland’s humanitarian response has been consistent to some of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (25 Jan 2017)

Joe McHugh: Ireland provided over €150 million in humanitarian assistance in 2016, focused on where needs are greatest, in countries affected by conflict or devastation caused by natural disasters. In 2017, the UN estimates that 92.8 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, with over 65 million people displaced by conflict worldwide. Ireland’s humanitarian response is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (25 Jan 2017)

Joe McHugh: Over the past months the Nigerian Government has led efforts in the region against Boko Haram. These efforts have been supported by the international community. The EU has pledged up to €50 million in support of the Multinational Joint Taskforce, which supports 8,700 troops from Nigeria and neighbouring countries to promote regional security. Despite recent progress by Nigerian and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (26 Jan 2017)

Joe McHugh: International election monitoring missions play an important role in the promotion of democracy and human rights. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains and administers a roster of observers for such missions. The aim is to ensure that Ireland is represented at an appropriate level in international election observation missions organised in the main by the European Union and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Reports (31 Jan 2017)

Joe McHugh: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade commissioned an independent evaluation of the Irish Aid Uganda Country Strategy 2010-2014, in line with standard practice. Such independent evaluations play an essential role in assessing the impact of the Irish Aid programme, identifying ways to improve on its delivery, and providing accountability for public funds spent. The Uganda evaluation...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Election Monitoring (2 Feb 2017)

Joe McHugh: International election monitoring missions play an important role in the promotion of democracy and human rights. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains and administers a roster of observers for such missions. The aim is to ensure that Ireland is represented at an appropriate level in international election observation missions, organised in the main by the Organisation for...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Broadcasting Service Provision (2 Feb 2017)

Joe McHugh: Go raibh maith agat a Leas-Chathaoirligh. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as an gceist tábhachtach seo a chur faoin tseirbhís thar a bheith tábhachtach ar son muintir na hÉireann sa Bhreatain. By way of background on this matter, in September 2014, RTE announced plans to shut down its long wave 252 service, which enables RTE Radio 1 to be broadcast into...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Broadcasting Service Provision (2 Feb 2017)

Joe McHugh: Out of respect to the Senator's global reach, which is not just confined to the UK, I wish to state for the record that there is an intensive effort going in to continuing the dialogue and conversation with all our front-line services in America. It also continues at a political level in the US Senate and House of Representatives. The Senator is involved in that effort. He took part in a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (7 Feb 2017)

Joe McHugh: On 23 January, the US President signed an Executive Order reinstating the so-called ‘Mexico City Policy’. Ireland shares the concern of many partner countries in terms of the potential negative impact on organisations which provide a range of maternal health services and reproductive health care including basic family planning services in developing countries. In relation...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (14 Feb 2017)

Joe McHugh: Our Embassy in Abuja follows developments in Nigeria closely, including in relation to inter-ethnic tensions in parts of the country. These include tensions in southern Kaduna, between members of the Fulani people, a predominantly nomadic group dispersed across the Sahel region and West Africa, and other communities. They have given rise to clashes over land access and use, including acts...

US Executive Order on Immigration: Statements (15 Feb 2017)

Joe McHugh: Ba mhaith liom i dtús báire buíochas a ghabháil leis na daoine thar lear i Meiriceá atá ag obair ar son daoine Éireannacha, go háirithe iad siúd atá gan aitheantas. I wish to address the House on the matter of the executive order signed by Presided Donald J. Trump on 27 January 2017. As Minister of State with responsibility for the diaspora...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (16 Feb 2017)

Joe McHugh: Deputy Grealish mentioned the cultural centre in Boston and I had the pleasure of being there last year. There were many Connemara people there.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (16 Feb 2017)

Joe McHugh: They were all asking for the Deputy. It is a fantastic facility as it is but it is an ambitious group and it wants to go forward. The Deputy is aware of the plans.