Results 5,901-5,920 of 7,777 for speaker:Joe Costello

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (18 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: At the High Level Donor Pledging Conference for Syria in Kuwait City on 30 January 2013, pledges made came to a total of approximately US$1.54 billion. By 16th July, about 65 per cent of these pledges, or $996 million had been committed. Twenty six out of 43 donors have fully met their pledges. I am pleased to confirm that Ireland's pledge of €4.7m has been fully met and surpassed....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (18 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 51 together. The Government remains committed to Ireland's overseas aid programme. This commitment was strengthened by the publication of our new Policy on International Development, One World, One Future, which clearly sets out our vision for a sustainable and just world, and our goals and areas of focus for the coming years. It also reaffirms the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (18 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: The Government's aid programme, which is managed by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has a strong international reputation for quality and effectiveness and is sharply focused on tackling poverty and hunger, particularly in the poorest countries of sub-Saharan Africa. The aid programme has benefited from the contributions of generations of Irish volunteers,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Biofuel Production (18 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: As the Deputy will be aware from my replies to previous Questions on this matter, I share concerns that biofuel production, unless properly regulated, can have a negative impact on food production, and on food prices. My colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, has the lead responsibility for Government policy in relation to biofuels and EU policy on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Millenium Development Goals (18 Sep 2013)

Joe Costello: The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were agreed by world leaders at the United Nations in 2000 as the framework for international development policy up to 2015. They provide a clearly measurable way to track progress in the fight against global poverty. The Goals are central to Ireland’s development programme, and to our renewed policy on International Development, “One...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Joe Costello: Through the aid programme, the Government has provided funding to the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which is based in Vienna, in support of its mandate to assist Member States in their efforts to fight illicit drugs, crime and terrorism. Ireland’s support has included funding for the UNODC programme to restrict the flow of opiates from Afghanistan and Pakistan,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Funding (18 Sep 2013)

Joe Costello: The Government’s aid programme, which is managed by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is sharply focused on the fight against global poverty and hunger, particularly in sub Saharan Africa. Our partnership with Non-Governmental Organisations represents a very important element in this effort. Funding for small to medium-sized development projects is primarily...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Rapid Response Initiative (18 Sep 2013)

Joe Costello: Ireland’s Rapid Response Corps is made up of highly-skilled experts who can be deployed at short notice to assist in emergency relief efforts in different parts of the world. When deployed, Corps members primarily fill specific skills gaps identified by four UN standby partner organisations: the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR); the World Food Programme (WFP); the United Nations...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Joe Costello: Malawi is one of the nine key Partner Countries for the Government's Development Cooperation Programme, where we have a commitment to long term strategic assistance. Through our Malawi Programme Ireland supported the Department of Nutrition, HIV and AIDS to host the Joint Nutrition review which was held from the 5th-7th of August 2013. This was the first such joint review bringing together...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 100 together. The Government is firmly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme. This commitment was strengthened by the publication earlier this year of our new Policy on International Development, “One World, One Future” which clearly sets out our vision for a sustainable and just world, and our goals and areas of focus for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (18 Sep 2013)

Joe Costello: Egypt is not a priority country for the Government’s aid programme, managed by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. However, we have provided funding in recent years to organisations working in Egypt on initiatives to promote human rights and good governance. Funding since 2007 has included a total of €500,000 in 2011 and 2012 to support the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Joe Costello: The theme of the 2012 Irish Aid Annual Report, which I launched last week, is “Reducing Hunger, Strengthening Resilience.” The Report is available on the Irish Aid website, . It outlines Irish Aid's work during 2012 and includes examples of how Irish Aid - the Irish people's overseas aid programme - works to reduce hunger and strengthen resilience, as part of Ireland's overall...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: European Year of Development (18 Sep 2013)

Joe Costello: I welcome the proposal that 2015 should be designated the European Year of Development, which has been adopted by the Commission and forwarded for consideration to the Council and the European Parliament. The EU is the largest donor of Official Development Assistance (ODA) in the world. The proposed Year of Development 2015 will be a timely opportunity to raise awareness of development...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: HIV-AIDS Programmes (24 Sep 2013)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 155 together. ESTHER Ireland initiative is an innovative programme that links Irish healthcare institutions with counterparts in the developing world. The initiative, which I launched in July of this year, is managed through a partnership between the Health Service Executive (HSE) and Irish Aid. It forms part of a wider European alliance of hospitals...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Millenium Development Goals (26 Sep 2013)

Joe Costello: The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were agreed by world leaders at the United Nations in 2000 as the framework for international development policy up to 2015. They provide a clearly measurable way to track progress in the fight against global poverty. The Goals are central to Ireland’s development programme, and to our renewed policy on International Development, “One...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (26 Sep 2013)

Joe Costello: The tragic crisis unfolding in Syria and in neighbouring countries has resulted in enormous humanitarian needs, requiring an urgent and sustained response from the international community. With the number of fatalities surpassing 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...

Mortgage Restructuring Arrangement Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (1 Oct 2013)

Joe Costello: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Mortgage Restructuring Arrangement Bill. I compliment Deputy Collins on producing the Bill and introducing it to the House in order that we can debate the issue. Mortgage arrears are one of the most significant problems that continue to face thousands of people in this country. We must make every effort to help people in mortgage distress in order...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Climate Change Policy (1 Oct 2013)

Joe Costello: I have noted with interest Oxfam's very informative Issue Briefing, 'Growing Disruption: Climate Change, Food and the Fight against Hunger'. Ireland's new policy for international development, 'One World, One Future' , recognises the inextricable link between climate change, development and our ability to tackle global hunger. We have prioritised global hunger and climate change in the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: HIV-AIDS Programmes (1 Oct 2013)

Joe Costello: The Government's new Policy on International Development One World One Future, which sets out our development aid commitments, was published in May. Addressing HIV/AIDS is one of those commitments. The Policy also sets out the main strategic areas for intervention under each commitment, which include investment at global, regional and country level for more effective prevention of HIV and...

Other Questions: Humanitarian Aid (2 Oct 2013)

Joe Costello: The ongoing crisis in Syria is unprecedented in recent history with the enormous humanitarian impact reverberating across the region. The devastating violence has caused more than 2.1 million refugees to seek protection in neighbouring countries, in addition to the more than 4 million people who have found themselves displaced inside their own country. With almost 7 million people in urgent...