Results 741-760 of 1,981 for speaker:Conor Lenihan
- Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (25 Oct 2006)
Conor Lenihan: The most recent information and statistics on the HIV/AIDS epidemic are contained in the 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic released by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). This report noted progress in declining HIV infection rates in a number of countries and increasing access to HIV treatment. Adult HIV infection rates have decreased in certain countries and...
- Seanad: White Paper on Irish Aid: Statements (Resumed) (25 Oct 2006)
Conor Lenihan: I thank Members for their strong engagement with the development issues that are my responsibility in Irish Aid. I reaffirm that the White Paper is about reiterating, reaffirming and confirming our commitment to achieving our 0.7% target by 2012. One might well ask why we do not legislate for this. We have decided legislation is not a good precedent to set in this area because then the...
- Seanad: White Paper on Irish Aid: Statements (Resumed) (25 Oct 2006)
Conor Lenihan: ââbeing followed. We agree with the thrust of the Senator's comments about bringing people to Ireland to avail of the excellence on hand, but we prefer to deliver training locally because it can be expensive. Where appropriate, we try to seek out centres of excellence near or in the region in question. We are proud to remain a strong funder of the UNFPA notwithstanding the criticism of...
- Consular Services. (1 Nov 2006)
Conor Lenihan: Like both Deputies, I can only imagine the terrible nightmare being experienced by the family. I assure both Deputies that everything possible will be done by my Department and any other relevant Department to seek an answer to the questions posed by the family. At the outset, I wish to express my solidarity with the plight in which the family of the person mentioned by Deputy Costello find...
- Written Answers — Economic Partnership Agreements: Economic Partnership Agreements (1 Nov 2006)
Conor Lenihan: The Cotonou Agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States and the European Union (EU) provides for the negotiation of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the Parties. The EPAs are first and foremost instruments for development that are intended to foster the smooth and gradual integration of the ACP States into the world economy, thereby promoting sustainable...
- White Paper on Irish Aid: Statements (2 Nov 2006)
Conor Lenihan: That is correct.
- White Paper on Irish Aid: Statements (2 Nov 2006)
Conor Lenihan: I agree.
- White Paper on Irish Aid: Statements (2 Nov 2006)
Conor Lenihan: More the latter than the former.
- White Paper on Irish Aid: Statements (2 Nov 2006)
Conor Lenihan: While I would like to agree that the trade and aid briefs should be integrated, I do not wish to say so, in case it sounds as though I am outlining a self-interested position. I thank all Members who have contributed to this debate on the White Paper. As Minister of State with responsibility in this area, I am proud to have delivered this White Paper, within two years of taking up this...
- White Paper on Irish Aid: Statements (2 Nov 2006)
Conor Lenihan: This is a central part of the White Paper. It is also a growing issue in respect of the concerns of the international donor community. It would be criminal for us to sanction significant volume increases in aid without these increases being properly scrutinised and properly subjected to the stress testing which we apply to our domestic spending.
- White Paper on Irish Aid: Statements (2 Nov 2006)
Conor Lenihan: We will ratify the convention, a measure which Deputy Michael D. Higgins is most keen we should take. I will make this point very forcefully to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform who, as Members are aware, always listens to contributions from this House.
- Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (14 Nov 2006)
Conor Lenihan: The Taoiseach announced on 10 November 2004 that the Government would refund the VAT paid on sales of the Band Aid CD and Live Aid DVD to the Band Aid Trust. In 2005, Irish Aid reimbursed a total of â¬346,616 to the Band Aid Trust for VAT on sales of the Live Aid DVD. A further amount of â¬67,232 was reimbursed for VAT on sales of the Band Aid CD. Those payments were made in respect of...
- Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (14 Nov 2006)
Conor Lenihan: In 2005, total funding for Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) amounted to â¬578 million which brought total spending to 0.43% of GNP. Funding for ODA administered by Irish Aid under Vote 29 amounted to â¬465 million. ODA contributions from other Government Departments in 2005, including Ireland's contribution to the EU budget for Development Cooperation amounted to â¬113 million. Total...
- Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (14 Nov 2006)
Conor Lenihan: The Cotonou Agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States and the European Union (EU) provides for the negotiation of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between the Parties. The EPAs are first and foremost instruments for development that are intended to foster the smooth and gradual integration of the ACP States into the world economy, thereby promoting sustainable...
- Leaders' Questions (15 Nov 2006)
Conor Lenihan: The Deputy is mixing it up with the Queen's speech.
- Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (21 Nov 2006)
Conor Lenihan: The Government decided in December 2004 to open an Embassy in Hanoi with responsibility for the development of a South East Asia regional development programme covering Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Irish Aid established a development programme in Vietnam in 2005. Programmes commenced in Cambodia and Laos in 2006. They focus, as in Africa, on poverty reduction, pro-poor economic growth and...
- Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2006)
Conor Lenihan: I am in a rather privileged position because, in the two years I have held this portfolio, I have achieved something unique in the history of the State, namely, a seven-year multi-annual agreement in respect of the funding of Irish Aid. That agreement stretches to 2012 and is being backed by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, and his Department, and not merely with hard cash increases....
- Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2006)
Conor Lenihan: When I took up office, people were criticising the Government and stating that it had not maintained the three-year multi-annual package. Not only did I restore that package prior to making a commitment to reach the 0.7% target by 2012, but I have now secured a seven-year multi-annual package. I know that this Government and that which succeeds it will honour this commitment. The Government...
- Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2006)
Conor Lenihan: With the recently published White Paper on Irish Aid as our guide, the programme is entering into a period of considerable growth. The White Paper is a road map rather than a blueprint and it can be added to and improved as the major expansion of the programme is rolled out. Irish NGOs will remain key partners in this expansion. Increases in the Irish Aid budget will allow us to allocate...
- Estimates for Public Services 2007: Motion (Resumed) (22 Nov 2006)
Conor Lenihan: I would prefer to return to the Deputy with a more detailed response on Comhlámh, as we fund a range of activities carried out by the organisation. On 9 November, the UN high-level panel on system wide coherence presented a series of recommendations designed to improve the UN's ability to deliver development assistance. We will not countenance the diversion or corruption of Irish Aid...