Results 5,741-5,760 of 7,777 for speaker:Joe Costello

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (20 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 32 together. I chaired the informal Meeting of EU Development Ministers in Dublin Castle on 11 and 12 February. The meeting provided the first opportunity for a substantive discussion by Ministers on the shape of the framework for international development after 2015, the target date for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Significantly, three...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (20 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 22 together. The situation in Syria continues to deteriorate, causing further suffering for Syrians and others caught up in this terrible violence. An excess of 60,000 people are now estimated to have been killed as a result of the almost two year old conflict, which has witnessed indiscriminate targeting of civilians and residential areas, as well as...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (20 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 31, 34, 60 and 90 together. As Minister of State with responsibility for Ireland’s Official Development Assistance, I am very conscious of the need to have a high level of assurance that our development assistance is fully accountable and that it makes a real difference to the lives of the world’s poorest people. To ensure that our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (20 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: The political crisis and ongoing conflict in Mali has compounded an already serious humanitarian situation, in which millions of people have been affected by drought, hunger and food insecurity across the Sahel region. The conflict has forced half a million Malians from their homes, with the latest fighting uprooting thousands more and bringing the total number of refugees in neighbouring...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (20 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: The 2006 White Paper on Irish Aid set out clearly the basis and priorities for Ireland’s official aid programme, which is working on behalf of the Irish people to improve the lives of the world’s poorest people. The programme has been recognised internationally for its focus on poverty and hunger, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, and for its leadership in making aid more...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (20 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 76 together. I welcome the focus of this year’s Trócaire Lenten Campaign on the rights of citizens and community organisations to participate in and influence decisions that affect their lives. Civil society organisations play an important role in bringing citizens together to act collectively and participate in the development of their...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (21 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: As Minister of State with responsibility for Ireland’s Official Development Assistance, I am very conscious of the need to have a high level of accountability of our development assistance and to ensure that it makes a real difference to the lives of the world’s poorest people. International reviews by the OECD have clearly stated that the Government’s international aid...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (21 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 66 together. I welcome the focus of this year’s Trócaire Lenten Campaign on the rights of citizens and community organisations to participate in and influence decisions that affect their lives. Civil society organisations play an important role in bringing citizens together to act collectively and participate in the development of their...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Equality Legislation (28 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: I thank Deputy Power for tabling this motion and apologise for the absence of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter. I acknowledge the legislation put forward by Deputy Power last year and thank her for her continued interest in this particular matter. On behalf of the Minister, I wish to restate the commitment given by him, with the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Equality Legislation (28 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: The two bodies are being merged. As the Minister has indicated, the Irish human rights and equality commission Bill is close to being brought to the Cabinet and published. The Minister is already in the process of establishing the Irish human rights and equality commission, and it will be set up by merging the two existing bodies, pending the introduction of the legislation. With regard to...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Prison Accommodation (28 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: I thank both Senators for their contributions. I thank Senator Kelly for tabling the motion and Senator Leyden for his contribution. I shall answer on behalf of the Minister and he asked me to apologise for him. The Minister wishes to respond directly to Senator Kelly's question as to whether life sentence prisoners will be housed at Harristown House. The Minister's officials are still...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Prison Accommodation (28 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: I thank the Senator for his remarks. It seems to me that the Minister is really saying that there is no category excluded per se but that the usual eligibility criteria, in terms of assessment, management and care, will be employed. It is so that prisoners are not released cold into the community without some temporary release being availed of. The measure prepares prisoners for release...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Prison Accommodation (28 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: I am finished.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (6 Mar 2013)

Joe Costello: Ireland’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights is a cornerstone of our foreign policy. We strongly believe that sustainable development can only be achieved by ensuring a strong human rights foundation. That is why the Government places such an emphasis on the promotion of human rights in its poverty eradication efforts in developing countries. Through our...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (12 Mar 2013)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 149 together. I welcome the focus of this year’s Trócaire Lenten Campaign on the rights of citizens and community organisations to participate in and influence decisions that affect their lives. Civil society organisations play an important role in bringing citizens together to act collectively and participate in the development of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (12 Mar 2013)

Joe Costello: Ireland’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights is a cornerstone of our foreign policy. Ireland works in nine Programme Countries mainly in sub-Saharan Africa and all our aid programmes are targeted at the poorest and most vulnerable. Regular dialogue is an essential part of the work of our Embassies in their engagement with partner Governments. The promotion and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (14 Mar 2013)

Joe Costello: Ireland’s aid programme prioritises the fight against global poverty and hunger. Ireland has long term, strategic development partnership programmes with a number of developing countries, called Programme Countries. These are Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia in sub-Saharan Africa, and Vietnam in Asia. In these countries we aim to build government and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (20 Mar 2013)

Joe Costello: Ireland’s aid programme prioritises the fight against global poverty and hunger. Ireland has long term, strategic development partnership programmes with eight Programme Countries. These are Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia in sub-Saharan Africa, and Vietnam in Asia. In these countries we aim to build government and institutional capacities to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alternative Energy Projects (28 Mar 2013)

Joe Costello: My colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte, takes the lead on Government policy in regard to bio-fuels. The EU Renewable Energy Directive 2009 requires that 10% of transport fuels should come from renewable sources by 2020. The directive also provided that the ongoing effects of its implementation be monitored by the European Commission....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Alternative Energy Projects (28 Mar 2013)

Joe Costello: Ireland is supporting the 5% cap. As I indicated, the discussions are ongoing. They are quite complex in the sense that there are a number of countries, particularly in eastern Europe, that regard any change to the 10% cap agreed in the original directive of 2009 as interfering with their industrial status. There is considerable awareness about the discussions. It is hoped that some...