Results 4,881-4,900 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Seanad: The Diaspora: Statements (23 Feb 2017)

Joe McHugh: The Senator has two surnames. I apologise. The Senator referred to the interdepartmental committee on the Irish abroad. I accept it takes in the returning emigrants but we must be clear too that it is an interdepartmental committee on the Irish abroad. It takes in everything. I am prepared to work with the Senator on the challenges therein. The Senator spoke of the inherent rights of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (28 Feb 2017)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 454, 469 and 473 together. I am very concerned about the situation in South Sudan, particularly in light of the declaration of famine in parts of the country this week. The UN has estimated that 100,000 people are facing starvation, with a further one million people on the brink of famine. Three UN agencies have also warned that urgent action is needed...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Programmes (28 Feb 2017)

Joe McHugh: The Emigrant Support Programme administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade provides funding for projects to support and engage Irish communities overseas and to facilitate the development of deeper and more strategic links between Ireland and the global Irish community. The Emigrant Support Programme prioritises culturally sensitive, frontline welfare services that address the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Data (28 Feb 2017)

Joe McHugh: This year the Government has allocated a total of €651 million for Official Development Assistance (ODA), an increase of €10 million on the 2016 allocation. This is the second consecutive year we have increased the overall allocation to ODA. Of this total, €486 million will be managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under Vote 27 International Cooperation....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (8 Mar 2017)

Joe McHugh: I am extremely concerned about the worsening humanitarian crises in South Sudan and Yemen. Famine was declared in parts of South Sudan in recent weeks and the UN is now calling for urgent action to avoid famine in Yemen. Conflict is having a severe impact on the populations in both countries, leading to acute hunger and increased displacement. We use every opportunity we have internationally...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Council Meetings (9 Mar 2017)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions 178 and 179 together. I am deeply concerned about the situation of the more than 20 million people currently facing famine, or threat of famine, in Somalia, Yemen, South Sudan and north east Nigeria. It is also of grave concern that intractable conflict is the main driver of the humanitarian emergencies for people in these countries. Ireland, working...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Renewable Energy Projects (9 Mar 2017)

Joe McHugh: Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Seanadóir fá choinne na ceiste seo a ardú ar maidin. Tá mé sásta bheith ar ais sa Seanad arís. I thank the Senator for raising this important matter. On 30 November last the European Commission published the Clean Energy for All Europeans package which included eight legislative proposals. Included...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Renewable Energy Projects (9 Mar 2017)

Joe McHugh: I will have no problem in relaying that message. To reiterate the Senator's point about the sugar industry, it was the single biggest decision that affected many farmers and the industry in a negative way. We are all agreed on that point. A lot of people are saying it should not have happened. After the decision was made in 2011 the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (21 Mar 2017)

Joe McHugh: I propose to take Questions Nos. 586, 587 and 604 to 606, inclusive, together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (21 Mar 2017)

Joe McHugh: We have been following the situation in Ethiopia closely, and with concern, since the declaration of a state of emergency in October last. Ireland and Ethiopia have developed a strong bilateral relationship since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1994. Ethiopia is one of Ireland’s key partner countries for development cooperation, and we have developed strong political and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (21 Mar 2017)

Joe McHugh: Ethiopia has been a key partner country for Ireland’s development assistance since 1994. Our assistance has at all times been focused on the most vulnerable people and communities in the country, regardless of their political views or affiliation. Last year, we provided some €29 million in long term development assistance in Ethiopia and a further €6.65 million in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (23 Mar 2017)

Joe McHugh: I am deeply concerned by the situation of the more than 20 million people currently facing famine, or threat of famine, in South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and north-east Nigeria. In 2016, Ireland provided a total of some €195 million in humanitarian assistance to people affected by crisis and conflict, including in the countries mentioned. This funding is directed towards the...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Referendum Campaigns (29 Mar 2017)

Joe McHugh: Go raibh maith agat a Chathaoirligh. Tá brón orm fadúda an brú.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Referendum Campaigns (29 Mar 2017)

Joe McHugh: Bhí mé ag smaoineamh fadúda uimhir a ceathair ach tá sé socraithe anois. Tá mé anseo. Cuirim buíochas roimh an Seanadóir faoi choinne na ceiste fosta. Is ceist tábhachtach í. I thank Senator Lawless for his own individual campaigning and as a representative of many groups down the years which have campaigned on this issue. No doubt...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Referendum Campaigns (29 Mar 2017)

Joe McHugh: I agree with the Senator that we have a history of referendums. I will not talk about my own county because it has a consistent history in regard to them. I am not naive that this will be an easily won referendum. It will not be. There will be opportunities in both the Seanad and the Dáil prior to the referendum and proper, open and honest discourse, prior to the preferred option...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (4 Apr 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. In the Programme for Government we have set out our ambition to make progress towards the UN target of providing 0.7% of GNP to Official Development Assistance (ODA) as resources permit. Over the past two years we have managed to increase funding...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (12 Apr 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. In the Programme for Government we have set out our ambition to make progress towards the UN target as resources permit. I have consistently stated that progress needs to be made in a sustainable and manageable way, which continues to strengthen Ireland's...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (12 Apr 2017)

Joe McHugh: Ireland continues to respond to the unprecedented levels of humanitarian need as a result of crises across the Middle East. We have provided a total of €76.5 million in humanitarian assistance for victims of the Syrian conflict since 2012 and a further €5.75 million for Iraq. Furthermore, through our contributions to the EU and to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (12 Apr 2017)

Joe McHugh: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains and administers a roster of observers for election observation missions, organised in the main by the EU and OSCE. The current election observation roster was established in May 2013, following a review of the previous roster and a public call for applications. The Information Note for Applicants which accompanied the call, stated that...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (12 Apr 2017)

Joe McHugh: There is no doubt that the decision of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union presents unprecedented political, economic and diplomatic challenges for Ireland, extending right across the policy spectrum, including development cooperation. The UK is a major contributor to the EU’s aid budgets. Its share of the off-budget 2014-2020 European Development Fund is 14.68% or...