Results 5,521-5,540 of 7,777 for speaker:Joe Costello

Order of Business (22 Mar 2012)

Joe Costello: We are still vocal on the issue.

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (22 Mar 2012)

Joe Costello: The Government believes that international election monitoring missions have an important role to play in the promotion of human rights and democracy. Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a roster of observers for election monitoring missions. We aim to ensure that, when requested, Ireland is represented at an appropriate level in international observation...

Missing Persons (18 Apr 2012)

Joe Costello: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. My Department has been providing consular assistance to the family of the missing person since being notified of the matter on 27 February this year. The Irish Embassy in New Delhi alerted the relevant authorities immediately on becoming aware of the matter and asked that full assistance be given to the person's family in tracing the...

Missing Persons (18 Apr 2012)

Joe Costello: We will certainly continue to do what we can. The embassy is well aware of the matter and is dealing with it, but I will bring to its attention the Deputy's point that the relevant Indian authorities be contacted at national and local level and how the local media can maximise awareness through articles about what has happened and how the website can be used for donations and assistance. We...

Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2012)

Joe Costello: The stability treaty is an important opportunity to affirm our commitment to stay at the heart of the eurozone and the European Union. It is in the interests of Ireland and its people: it is as simple as that. The first article of the treaty states that its purpose is to support the achievement of the European Union's objectives for sustainable growth, employment, competitiveness and social...

Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2012)

Joe Costello: Proudly so.

Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Apr 2012)

Joe Costello: Which party saddled us with the banking debt?

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (18 Apr 2012)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 to 55, inclusive, together. Uganda and Malawi are two of the nine priority countries for the Government's aid programme, where we have a commitment to long term strategic assistance. They are among the poorest countries in the world, both ranked in the bottom 10% in the 2011 United Nations Human Development Index. Irish Aid has been working in Uganda since...

Written Answers — Election Monitoring: Election Monitoring (18 Apr 2012)

Joe Costello: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a roster of observers for election monitoring missions. We aim to ensure that, when requested, Ireland is represented at an appropriate level in international observation missions for elections and constitutional referendums. Irish observers participate primarily in missions organised by the European Union and the Organisation for...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (18 Apr 2012)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 71 together. The Government believes that international election monitoring missions have an important role to play in the promotion of human rights and democracy, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a roster of observers for election monitoring missions. We aim to ensure that, when requested, Ireland is represented at an...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (18 Apr 2012)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 80 together. Ireland's aid programme prioritises the fight against global poverty and hunger, with a particular focus on the world poorest countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The programme is central to our foreign policy, enjoys strong cross-party and public support and reflects the values of the Irish people, and our long term interests globally....

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Second Stage (23 Apr 2012)

Joe Costello: It is a pleasure to address the Chamber on this Bill. It is also a pleasure to see the Seanad sitting on a Monday. The work rate has increased enormously since my time and I am very impressed. At the end of next month, the Irish people will face a decision with important consequences for the future direction of the country. In deciding whether Ireland can ratify the stability treaty, we...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (24 Apr 2012)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 to 196, inclusive, together. Uganda is one of the nine priority countries for the Government's aid programme, where we have a commitment to long term strategic assistance. It is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranked 161 out of 187 in the 2011 United Nations Human Development Index. Irish Aid has been working in Uganda since 1994 and has made a...

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

Joe Costello: Thank you, Acting Chairman, and I thank all Senators who contributed to the debate yesterday and today. It was the equivalent of two Second Stage speeches all round. The rhetoric and eloquence of the Seanad remains as impressive as ever. I thank everyone for a wide ranging debate. Everything that could possibly be covered was touched on, from both sides of the argument. I welcome that. I...

Seanad: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (24 Apr 2012)

Joe Costello: Regarding Senator Cullinane's query about the European Stability Mechanism, ESM, that is dealt with by a separate intergovernmental treaty. We cannot veto the ESM treaty. It is required to be ratified by member states whose initial financial contribution to the ESM is 90% of the total. All member states must ratify the amendment to the treaty on the functioning of the EU that refers to the...

Seanad: Services for People with Disabilities (24 Apr 2012)

Joe Costello: I am thankful for the opportunity to respond to this important issue. I am replying on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health. I thank Senator Comiskey for raising the matter and I am pleased to take the opportunity on behalf of the Minister to outline the position in respect of Cregg House. Wisdom Services is a voluntary body operated by the Daughters of Wisdom. It provides...

Human Rights Issues (3 May 2012)

Joe Costello: I thank both Deputies for putting the case for prisoners' in Maghaberry Prison so succinctly. The Government is aware of a number of concerns which have been expressed regarding human rights conditions of prisoners currently being held in Maghaberry Prison in Northern Ireland. The Tánaiste has raised the issue with authorities in Northern Ireland on a number of occasions, most recently on...

Human Rights Issues (3 May 2012)

Joe Costello: I take on board what the Deputies said. I will speak to the Tánaiste about the matter. He spoke to the Minister for Justice, David Ford, and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Owen Paterson, in April. I will bring the issues the Deputies raised to the Tánaiste's attention. I do not propose to discuss the individual cases the Deputies mentioned. I appreciate the necessity to...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (9 May 2012)

Joe Costello: In recent years approximately 80% of Ireland's Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget has been allocated to Vote 27 – International Cooperation which is managed by my Department through its external delivery vehicle, Irish Aid. The remaining 20% is accounted for through ODA eligible contributions by other Government Departments and Ireland's share of the EU Development Cooperation...

Seanad: Review of White Paper on Irish Aid: Statements, Questions and Answers (9 May 2012)

Joe Costello: It is a pleasure to be in the Seanad again to address this august assembly of Senators in the Upper House. I am grateful for the opportunity to address the Seanad and to seek its views on the review of the White Paper on Irish Aid. Members of the Seanad play an important role in supporting our efforts to reduce global poverty. Many Members have served on the Oireachtas Joint Committee on...