Results 6,021-6,040 of 7,777 for speaker:Joe Costello

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: I agree with the Chairman regarding the great work being done by our embassies and diplomatic personnel abroad. I also thank the committee members for their constant unanimous support for what Irish Aid is doing. Without that, it would be difficult for us to maintain the level of aid we provide. This year's allocation is approximately €600 million, which is a 4% reduction but,...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: I hope they were good.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: If the committee has not been somewhere before me, it will be there after me. It has done good work, for example, its fantastic initiative in going to Iran. This was reflected in the Foreign Minister's complimentary remarks when he spoke with me. The committee has done tremendous work all over Africa. Mention was made of Nigeria and the work done by the ambassador there. That has added...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: As to the Limerick office,-----

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: Let us stick to the Limerick office. We are about to share it with the Department of Social Protection, which is in the process of renovating certain sections of our premises. Obviously, our costs will be substantially reduced.

Seanad: Recent Severe Storm Damage: Statements (23 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: During the period from 13 December 2014 to 6 January 2014, Ireland was subjected to a series of severe storms, with storms affecting the country roughly once every three days. In addition to the very strong winds, there were periods of extremely heavy rain and a lot of thunderstorm activity. These storms coincided with high spring tides and created severe and damaging conditions in a...

Seanad: Recent Severe Storm Damage: Statements (23 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: I thank the Senators for their valuable, interesting and informative contributions. I apologise that I might be considered the wrong Minister to reply to the debate but, unfortunately, neither the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, nor the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Deputy Brian Hayes, could be present. I assure Senators that...

Seanad: Recent Severe Storm Damage: Statements (23 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: The sum of €45 million refers to the programme and is part of the larger building programme run by the OPW which is the responsibility of the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes.

Seanad: Recent Severe Storm Damage: Statements (23 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: That is the total moneys. It is for building works and coastal works.

Seanad: Recent Severe Storm Damage: Statements (23 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: Does the Senator mean roads that are not council roads but private ones?

Seanad: Recent Severe Storm Damage: Statements (23 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: The local authorities will produce a report on all private and public roads. They have been asked to produce a report.

Seanad: Recent Severe Storm Damage: Statements (23 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: I outlined the information that I have that they-----

Seanad: Recent Severe Storm Damage: Statements (23 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: The Senator can inform Galway County Council that it is my information that it should submit a report on private and public roads.

Seanad: Recent Severe Storm Damage: Statements (23 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: We were supposed to be making statements today, not a question and answer session. I did not expect to be asked questions. The important thing is that the information I have outlined is the best information that we have up to the present time and this is the manner in which the Government intends to proceed with the issues. We are at the interim stage at present and there will be further...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (28 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: As Deputies will be aware, in October 2012, the Tánaiste and I suspended over €16 million of development assistance which was due to be channelled through Government of Uganda systems, following the discovery of fraud in the Office of the Prime Minister. The Government of Uganda has since refunded in full the €4 million of Irish Aid funds which were misappropriated. ...

Seanad: Humanitarian Situation in Syria, South Sudan and Central African Republic: Statements (30 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: I am pleased to be here to begin this very timely debate on the grave situation in Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic. The year 2013 was very challenging for the international community, with three level 3 emergencies, which is the most serious humanitarian crisis designation by the United Nations. They involved two of the countries we are discussing today, Syria and the...

Seanad: Humanitarian Situation in Syria, South Sudan and Central African Republic: Statements (30 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: I thank Senators Walsh, Mullen, Quinn, Higgins, Reilly, Burke, Mooney, O'Keeffe and Barrett for their wide-ranging and valuable contributions, questions and comments. There is not a stone that has not been upturned and examined. Many Senators asked how we could raise awareness of the dire crises that are taking place in so many areas. There are three emergencies at the same time in the same...

Seanad: Humanitarian Situation in Syria, South Sudan and Central African Republic: Statements (30 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: That might be a lead that could be usefully taken by some of the other charitable organisations. It is extremely important that we reassure the public that the money is well spent. We have an enormously generous public in Ireland, one of the most generous in the world in terms of charitable donations, and we must seek to ensure that continues. The new President, Catherine Samba-Panza, is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (4 Feb 2014)

Joe Costello: Africa Day on 25 May is the official day of the African Union. Through Irish Aid, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has taken a leading role in encouraging and supporting initiatives to mark Africa Day in Ireland. The objectives are to increase awareness of the Government's aid programme, which is strongly focused on sub-Saharan Africa; to build greater public understanding of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (4 Feb 2014)

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 and administers a roster of observers for such missions. The aim is to ensure that, when requested, Ireland is represented at an appropriate level in international observation missions for both elections and constitutional...