Results 4,841-4,860 of 13,254 for speaker:Seán Sherlock

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Framework Agreement: Motion (16 Dec 2015)

Seán Sherlock: I thank the Chairman. Vietnam is showing increased interest in importing agricultural produce from the European Union, that is, from individual member states. This should present an opportunity for Ireland under the free trade agreement, FTA, but in particular with regard to access to the Vietnamese market for pork. I have to hand a note that tells me the Department of Agriculture, Food...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Framework Agreement: Motion (16 Dec 2015)

Seán Sherlock: I thank the Chairman. Vietnam is Irish Aid's only key partner country located outside sub-Saharan Africa and the Government remains committed there. I am aware the Committee of Public Accounts has been there and that a delegation from that committee, led by its Vice Chairman, travelled to Vietnam in early March where they visited Irish Aid programmes in Quang Tri and Ho Chi Minh City....

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Framework Agreement: Motion (16 Dec 2015)

Seán Sherlock: I will endeavour to answer all of the questions.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Framework Agreement: Motion (16 Dec 2015)

Seán Sherlock: If I do not answer them comprehensively, I might defer. There are some specific questions on certain areas of Vietnam, of which I would not necessarily have knowledge and on which I will defer to others. On the issue of human rights, for the information of the committee, only yesterday the EU-Vietnam human rights dialogue took place. It is an important mechanism for us at both bilateral...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Framework Agreement: Motion (16 Dec 2015)

Seán Sherlock: There were some questions on Article 5, so we will address the technical aspects of that.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Framework Agreement: Motion (16 Dec 2015)

Seán Sherlock: Can I get clarification from Deputy Crowe on dumping? Have specific examples of dumping been referenced by NGOs or civil society?

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Framework Agreement: Motion (16 Dec 2015)

Seán Sherlock: Okay.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Framework Agreement: Motion (16 Dec 2015)

Seán Sherlock: I think so, too.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Framework Agreement: Motion (16 Dec 2015)

Seán Sherlock: I will ask Ms Collins to discuss the trigger mechanism further.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Framework Agreement: Motion (16 Dec 2015)

Seán Sherlock: Deputy Durkan sought clarification on aid for trade. It is widely known that Ireland does not tie its aid to trade. We see our bilateral partnership with Vietnam as one whereby one works through general Government support for programmes to ensure economic sustainability and raise standards within the local country. At the same time, through diplomacy and trade missions, we continue to...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: EU Framework Agreement: Motion (16 Dec 2015)

Seán Sherlock: I take the Deputy's point. It is well telegraphed that there is a certain dynamic between certain larger countries and their relationships with sub-Saharan Africa and other regions globally. In terms of long-term sustainable relationship building, I have given a particular emphasis to sub-Saharan Africa in the past 12 months or so to enhance trade co-operation and to consider the...

Other Questions: Humanitarian Aid (17 Dec 2015)

Seán Sherlock: I thank the Deputy for the question. The current El Niño weather event is one of the strongest ever measured. More unpredictable weather conditions are already having a detrimental effect on people’s lives and livelihoods across Africa, particularly in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region. In the next six months humanitarian needs will increase, with severe droughts...

Other Questions: Humanitarian Aid (17 Dec 2015)

Seán Sherlock: Ireland’s bilateral relationship with Ethiopia is very strong. Official Ethiopian Government figures for January 2016 indicate that 10.2 million people will require food assistance, in addition to the 7.9 million receiving food and cash transfers as part of the productive safety nets programme. Ireland is one of the core funders of the programme through Irish Aid and the embassy. We...

Other Questions: Humanitarian Aid (17 Dec 2015)

Seán Sherlock: There is due to be a meeting of Development Ministers in January. I am not entirely sure if it was raised in December, but I will check for the Deputy. It is fair to say that in our response to the crisis in Ethiopia we are punching above our weight. Through the bilateral aid programme we have provided €3.8 million to help meet the immediate humanitarian need. I met the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (17 Dec 2015)

Seán Sherlock: I am deeply concerned about the ongoing violence and human rights violations in Burundi. The decision of the President to seek a third term in office prompted widespread public protest and an attempted coup in May 2015. The Burundian Government responded with extremely repressive measures, including extra-judicial killings, arbitrary detentions, and restrictions on freedom of expression....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (17 Dec 2015)

Seán Sherlock: The world is currently facing an unprecedented level of humanitarian crisis, and appeals for assistance continue to outpace the international community’s capacity to respond. Almost 60 million people are now displaced globally, half of them children, many on the continent of Africa. The Government’s aid programme, Irish Aid, is strongly focused on the fight against poverty...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (17 Dec 2015)

Seán Sherlock: Ireland’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) is made up of two main elements. Approximately 80% of Ireland’s ODA comes from the budget allocation to Vote 27 - International Co-operation, which is managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and known to the public as Irish Aid. The remaining 20% comprises ODA-eligible contributions made by other Government...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (17 Dec 2015)

Seán Sherlock: In Budget 2016, the Government provided €640 million for Official Development Assistance (ODA) - an increase of some €40 million on 2015.€486 million is allocated to Vote 27 International Co-operation, which is managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and known to the public as Irish Aid. An estimated €155 million will come from other Government...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Current Developments in Northern Ireland: Discussion on Fresh Start Agreement (17 Dec 2015)

Seán Sherlock: I thank the Chairman and members of the committee. I welcome the opportunity to address the committee on the current situation in Northern Ireland and the agreement reached following ten weeks of intensive talks. As members of the committee will know, these talks were brought to a successful conclusion on 17 November 2015 with negotiations resulting in “A Fresh Start – the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: Current Developments in Northern Ireland: Discussion on Fresh Start Agreement (17 Dec 2015)

Seán Sherlock: I will come back to the Chairman on the petitions of concern, but as I have said, it was not the Irish Government which pressed for an agreement that completely left aside the legacy of the past. The Government was faced with a choice between having an agreement which uncoupled the past or having no agreement at all. With regard to dealing with the legacy, there is a very firm commitment by...