Results 4,861-4,880 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

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: Last year, €2.3 million went to welfare organisations through our emigrant support programme, which was 70% of the overall programme funding that went to the United States. In San Francisco, there are ambitious plans for remodelling the centre there. We will stay in touch with our consulate and I have asked the group in Boston to stay in touch with the consulate there and ourselves...

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: Today is the second time that Deputy Grealish has raised this issue. My officials are in contact with the officials in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport on this issue. In order to make more progress, I am prepared to set up a meeting where both Deputies, myself and officials from both Departments are in attendance. Ultimately, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has...

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: I welcome the opportunity to present the 2017 Revised Estimate for Vote 27, international co-operation, as well as to briefly outline our plans for the current year. Last May I was appointed Minister of State with responsibility for the diaspora and international development and have greatly valued the work and advice of this committee in the period since. Vote 27 funds about 80% of...

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: Yes; that is why we are going there. Since 2012 Ireland has provided over €67 million in response to the Syrian crisis, including €25 million last year alone. We are monitoring closely the difficult situation across the Horn of Africa and responding. I am particularly concerned about near-famine conditions in several countries, including Somalia, South Sudan and Nigeria. I...

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: The only way we can work towards achieving the 0.7% target is collectively. I am on record already in that regard. In regard to the sustainable development goals and the 2030 plan I do not think it is good enough to say that in 14 years we will achieve the 0.7% target. If we want to hit that target we need to put in place a mechanism to do so and the only way we can do that is working...

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: I am happy to do that and there is also an invitation to the Seanad. Perhaps it could be co-ordinated.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (22 Feb 2017)

Joe McHugh: In the context of the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2030, and the unprecedented level of humanitarian need globally, there is recognition internationally of the need for comprehensive policy approaches linking conflict, peace and security and development. Increasing volumes of aid are being allocated to respond to conflicts and crises and in support of addressing their root...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (22 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 European Union and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (22 Feb 2017)

Joe McHugh: The provision of effective humanitarian assistance is a key foreign policy priority for Ireland. Ireland’s humanitarian assistance is targeted where needs are greatest and we ensure a focus on crises and conflicts that are sometimes ignored in the media. In 2016, Ireland provided over €165 million in humanitarian funding, to provide assistance to people affected by crisis and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (22 Feb 2017)

Joe McHugh: I am extremely concerned about the political, economic and humanitarian situation in South Sudan, particularly in light of the declaration of famine this week in parts of the country. The United Nations has estimated that 100,000 South Sudanese people are already facing starvation, with a further one million on the brink of famine. Following the resumption of the civil war in July 2016, the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (22 Feb 2017)

Joe McHugh: I remain deeply concerned by the activities of all terrorist groups and the impact that these groups have on the stability and security of States across the Middle East and West and North Africa. The activities of Boko Haram continue to pose a threat to the people of Nigeria, and the wider Lake Chad region. They involve the clear and persistent abuse of human rights, especially of women and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (22 Feb 2017)

Joe McHugh: Since 2012, the Government has provided a total of €67.5 million in humanitarian assistance to Syria and the region, in Ireland’s largest response to any humanitarian crisis. We provided €25 million in 2016 alone, €19 million of which was delivered through the Irish Aid programme, managed by my Department, and €6 million through the Department of...

Seanad: The Diaspora: Statements (23 Feb 2017)

Joe McHugh: Tá mé fíorbhuíoch bheith anseo inniu fá choinne an díospóireacht seo maidir le daoine Éireannacha thar lear. Ba mhaith liom mo aitheantas agus mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le Ceannaire an tSeanad fá choinne an cuireadh seo a thabhairt dom. Since my appointment as Minister of State with responsibility for the diaspora and overseas development...

Seanad: The Diaspora: Statements (23 Feb 2017)

Joe McHugh: I had a comprehensive reply ready for each point. Given that I only have five minutes, I will try to get through as many as possible.

Seanad: The Diaspora: Statements (23 Feb 2017)

Joe McHugh: I am happy if Members are happy.

Seanad: The Diaspora: Statements (23 Feb 2017)

Joe McHugh: There is enough goodwill in the Chamber to ensure that we figure this out.

Seanad: The Diaspora: Statements (23 Feb 2017)

Joe McHugh: I acknowledge Fianna Fáil’s role in ensuring that diaspora policy was recognised in the first instance. Senator Davitt referenced the American presidential election and the fear of the undocumented about executive orders. The Senator’s specific question was on the Taoiseach’s role on St. Patrick’s Day. We have a strategic approach. It did not just happen...

Seanad: The Diaspora: Statements (23 Feb 2017)

Joe McHugh: That is how I figure things out. We can work together. We can take the education information from today’s debate and put it on the table of the Higher Education Authority and the Minister for Education and Skills, given the education deficit issue in the third-level sector. I do not mean to be crude about it, but it is also an opportunity for funding. Let us consider that space. I...

Seanad: The Diaspora: Statements (23 Feb 2017)

Joe McHugh: I covered Senator Ruane's point about the education potential and I am willing to work with the Seanad on that. Senator Higgins raised a very important point on the fears about the executive orders in America. She also talked about Brexit, our history and moral authority and obligation. I agree entirely with the Senator. I also go to countries wearing my other hat, that of Minister of...

Seanad: The Diaspora: Statements (23 Feb 2017)

Joe McHugh: I could see it in some of their eyes. Some of them have not been home in 25 years for different reasons. There are people looking after them in some instances and we have to ensure that the welfare agencies in London and throughout greater Britain look after them. We need to look after them because they are with us. They are still Irish citizens. I certainly will ensure that we continue...