Results 6,161-6,180 of 7,777 for speaker:Joe Costello

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (2 Jul 2014)

Joe Costello: As Minister of State with responsibility for Ireland’s Official Development Assistance, I am keenly aware of the need to have a high level of assurance that our development assistance reaches its intended beneficiaries, and makes a real difference in the lives of the poorest people. Ireland’s Policy for International Development, One World, One Future, which was launched just...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (3 Jul 2014)

Joe Costello: The Government’s development policy, One World, One Future, contains an explicit commitment to the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), through efforts that reduce maternal and infant mortality and promote universal access to reproductive healthcare, including ante-natal care and family planning services. We are...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (3 Jul 2014)

Joe Costello: The dramatically deteriorating situation in Iraq is a matter of very serious concern, for the Iraqi people, the region, and for the international community as a whole. The Al- Qaeda linked islamist militia known as ISIS, with allied Sunni groupings, has captured large parts of northern and western Iraq, including the major city of Mosul. It has also targeted key installations such as the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (3 Jul 2014)

Joe Costello: The protracted and tragic crisis in Syria has resulted in unprecedented levels of humanitarian need, requiring a sustained response from the international community. As the number of fatalities surpasses an estimated 150,000 people, there are now over 10.8 million people within Syria who are in need of immediate life-saving support, with a further 2.8 million Syrian refugees requiring...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (3 Jul 2014)

Joe Costello: The Programme for Government set out the Government’s desire to position Shannon Airport as an international hub for the storage and distribution of EU and UN emergency humanitarian supplies. Following consultations with the airport management and other local stakeholders, a full-scale feasibility study of the proposal was initiated in 2012, with the specific aim of providing an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (3 Jul 2014)

Joe Costello: This Government is very strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme and to its place at the heart of Irish foreign policy. Ireland’s aid programme has the reputation of being one of the best in the world. Our ongoing commitment to development cooperation is clearly set out in the Programme for Government and in our 2013 policy for international development - One...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Free Travel Scheme Eligibility (3 Jul 2014)

Joe Costello: I thank the Senator for raising this matter on the Adjournment and giving me the opportunity to clarify the position. The free travel scheme is available to all people living in the State aged 66 years or over, carers and customers under 66 years of age who are in receipt of certain disability type payments. The scheme permits customers to travel for free on most CIE public transport...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (8 Jul 2014)

Joe Costello: The Ebola virus outbreak, which started in Guinea in early 2014, has now spread to Liberia and Sierra Leone. Ebola patients have been identified in more than 60 separate locations across the three countries. Latest reports from the World Health Organisation (WHO) state that there have been 427 deaths across West Africa. The international response to the outbreak is being coordinated by...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Overseas Development Aid Provision (8 Jul 2014)

Joe Costello: Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Senator for tabling this Adjournment matter which is most appropriate on the 20th anniversary of the terrible genocide in Rwanda when one fifth of the country's population died. I appreciate the work undertaken there by the Senator and many others in volunteering during the difficult years following those events. Senator Healy Eames has put the case well...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Overseas Development Aid Provision (8 Jul 2014)

Joe Costello: While I said in my reply that we do not have a partnership with Rwanda directly, we do have partnerships with various organisations engaged in Rwanda, particularly NGOs such as Concern and Trócaire and we will continue to assist them with funds. Likewise, we have a partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and we are engaged with it in various agricultural...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Overseas Development Aid Provision (8 Jul 2014)

Joe Costello: That leaves scars and takes a long time to recover from. I will certainly consider what agricultural input we might make and how we might engage with that.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (15 Jul 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 individuals who are available to participate at short notice in election observation missions, organised in the main by the OSCE and the EU. The new election observation roster was established in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Students (15 Jul 2014)

Joe Costello: Ireland provides important support to post-graduate students from developing countries through a number of initiatives under our development cooperation programme. The objective of the Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme is to strengthen the capacity of partner organizations in our key partner countries. Fellowships are targeted at mid-career professionals who, on completion of the...

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Industrial Disputes (17 Sep 2014)

Joe Costello: 395. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will give a report on the lockout of workers by Greyhound recycling; the steps that are being taken to resolve the dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33832/14]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Drug Treatment Programmes Availability (17 Sep 2014)

Joe Costello: 762. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to deal with the escalating levels of drug addiction in Dublin and particularly in the city centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33830/14]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Constitutional Amendments (17 Sep 2014)

Joe Costello: 763. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to amend the eighth amendment of the Constitution to permit termination of pregnancy in circumstances other than those prescribed at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33831/14]

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy Review (17 Sep 2014)

Joe Costello: 1205. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will prepare a memo for Cabinet on the outcome of the Scottish referendum taking place on the 18 September 2014; the implications of the result here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34176/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Litter Pollution (17 Sep 2014)

Joe Costello: 1532. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the north inner city of Dublin as a black spot for littering; his plans to reduce the incidence of littering there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33829/14]

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (18 Sep 2014)

Joe Costello: He has already given evidence.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (18 Sep 2014)

Joe Costello: I wrote that letter in the context of the very bitter industrial dispute ongoing between Greyhound and the approximately 80 SIPTU employees. It has been the focus of media attention so it is well known. This matter is both an industrial dispute and also a matter to do with the national strategy on waste management, recovery and recycling. It relates to the issue of the Poolbeg incinerator...