Results 5,881-5,900 of 7,777 for speaker:Joe Costello

Topical Issue Debate: US Surveillance Activity (2 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: I agree with the Deputy's remarks in that respect. The Government and the EU responded rapidly to the allegations. I welcome the fact the High Representative immediately sought clarification and that President Obama has stated on record that he will provide "all the information that our allies want". I agree with the Deputy regarding a timeline, in that the sooner this situation is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (2 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: The tragic crisis unfolding in Syria and in neighbouring countries has resulted in enormous humanitarian needs requiring an urgent response from the international community. As the number of fatalities moves towards 100,000, there are now close to 7 million people who are in need of immediate life saving support. In addition to more than 4 million people who are displaced within Syria, there...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (2 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: Ireland is a long-standing supporter of pro-poor agricultural research in developing countries through our overseas development programme, Irish Aid. I am gratified that the international donor community has now become more aware of the importance of agriculture and agricultural research in enhancing rural livelihoods and reducing poverty. Given the huge contribution that agricultural...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (2 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: Environment and climate change challenges are at the heart of Ireland's contribution, through our aid programme, to the fight to end extreme poverty and hunger in the world. Through Ireland's development assistance programme, managed by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, we place a strong emphasis on building community resilience, reducing disaster risk and addressing...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (3 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: International election monitoring missions play an important role in the promotion of democracy and human rights. 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 both elections and constitutional...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Issues (3 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: On 27 June 2013, I attended a two day seminar in Dublin entitled Africa's Development Future: land, hope and hunger. The event was organised by AWEPA, the Association of European Parliamentarians with Africa. It sought to promote a dialogue on the roles, responsibilities and efforts of both European and African parliamentarians in developing policies relevant to Africa's development future...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Issues (3 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: On 27 June 2013, I attended a two day seminar in Dublin entitled Africa's Development Future: land, hope and hunger. The event was organised by AWEPA - the Association of European Parliamentarians with Africa. It sought to promote a dialogue on the roles, responsibilities and efforts of both European and African parliamentarians in developing policies relevant to Africa's development future...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (3 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: The issue of trade with the developing countries is dealt with under the heading, economic partnership agreements, and is not dealt with through the World Trade Organization. Structures are place to deal with this issue and a significant amount of work was done during the Irish Presidency to advance it. The economic partnership agreements, EPAs, were originally established in 2000. Trying...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (3 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: I thank the Chairman. I welcome the opportunity to meet the committee today and present the 2013 Revised Estimates for Vote 27 - International Co-Operation. I will briefly introduce the development programme placed in the context of our new policy, One World, One Future. Vote 27, international co-operation, covers the main element of the Government's development assistance programme. The...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (3 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: I thank Deputies for their contributions. Deputy Smith asked about overseas development aid. We have been endeavouring to stabilise the level of overseas development assistance. The Government has been successful in maintaining that assistance despite the difficult economic circumstances. The level of assistance under the previous Government, as Deputy Smith will know, reached the highest...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (4 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: The Government remains committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme. Our new Policy on International Development, “One World, One Future”, clearly sets out our vision for a sustainable and just world, and our goals and areas of focus for the coming years. It reaffirms the Government’s commitment to international development and its centrality to our foreign...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (10 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: The Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s aid programme which has been internationally recognised as one of the best in the world. Over the past three years - 2010 to 2012 - Ireland has contributed substantial and stable funding to Official Development Assistance (ODA). In total, in the three years, Ireland has contributed almost €2 billion to ODA, of which about 80%...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Issues (10 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: In 2012 some 160 Irish companies participated in the Africa Ireland Economic Forum, an annual event hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with the objective of supporting Irish companies interested in investing or trading in Africa. The range of interests expressed by Irish companies in Africa varies from agribusiness to financial services and telecommunications. The...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Child Abduction (11 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: I can confirm that the relevant Irish Embassy and the consular assistance section of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin are aware of this case. It involves two children of different fathers. All possible consular assistance is being provided to the respective fathers. On 4 April 2013 the consular assistance section was contacted by the father of the older child who...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Child Abduction (11 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: I thank the Senator for those supplementary remarks. It is difficult to effect an easy resolution because the country is not party to the Hague Convention and the difficulty dealing with the abducting spouse. A situation of this nature can only be dealt with properly through the courts and that is why the consular assistance service has made available a list of suitable lawyers, which has...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Issues (16 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 141 together. On 5 May 2013, The Tánaiste and I launched One World, One Future - Ireland’s Policy for International Development. This new policy emanates from a commitment in the 2011 Programme for Government to review the 2006 White Paper on Irish Aid. The review examined the progress made by the aid programme over the past 6 years...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (16 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 147 together. International election monitoring missions play an important role in the promotion of democracy and human rights. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a roster of observers for election monitoring missions. We aim to ensure that Ireland is represented at an appropriate level in international observation missions for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Issues (16 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: The Minister for Finance has the lead responsibility in Government for Ireland’s membership of the Asian Development Bank. Ireland joined the Bank in 2006, in line with the Government’s Asia Strategy to increase Ireland’s engagement in Asia. Ireland’s ‘paid-in’ subscription on joining the Bank in 2006 was €8.4 million. Ireland also...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Trade Missions Issues (17 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: The promotion of stronger bilateral trade and investment remains one of the objectives of the Africa Strategy. This recognises the demand in Africa for goods and services in many of the fastest growing economies in the world. Irish companies engaged in telecommunications and financial services are helping connect people and business as well as improving transparency and accountability. ...

Leaders' Questions (18 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: Has Deputy Dooley his bucket and spade?