Results 1-20 of 4,715 for speaker:Neale Richmond

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (1 May 2025)

Neale Richmond: Two years of conflict in Sudan have resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Over 15 million people have been forced to flee their homes and over 24 million people are in acute food insecurity, with some facing famine. Working with like-minded European Union member states, Ireland has supported strong EU messaging on Sudan, emphasising the need for a ceasefire, humanitarian access,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (29 Apr 2025)

Neale Richmond: I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 and 199 together. Myanmar has suffered devastating humanitarian and human rights crises for too long. Before the earthquake on 28 March, the UN's 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Myanmar had received less than 7% percent of the annual funding needed to provide life-saving assistance to the 5.3 million people in the most severe need,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (29 Apr 2025)

Neale Richmond: I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 207 together. Development cooperation is integral to Ireland’s foreign policy. The Government's priorities are set out in A Better World, the whole of government policy for international development. It recognises that access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care is fundamental to transforming women's health outcomes and to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Climate Change Policy (29 Apr 2025)

Neale Richmond: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not have a direct role in meeting Ireland's domestic 2030 climate targets. However, the Department provides international climate finance to developing countries, to help them to meet international climate targets. In November 2021, the Taoiseach announced that Ireland would provide at least €225 million in climate finance per year...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (29 Apr 2025)

Neale Richmond: Two years of conflict have resulted in a catastrophic conflict and humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Over 15 million people have been forced to flee their homes and over 24 million people are in acute food insecurity, with some facing famine. The London conference on Sudan on 15 April on the second anniversary of the conflict was co-hosted by the UK, the EU, Germany and France, with the aim...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Climate Change Policy (29 Apr 2025)

Neale Richmond: In November 2021, the Taoiseach announced that Ireland would provide at least €225 million in international climate finance annually to developing countries by 2025. The target represents a more than doubling of our climate finance from 2020 levels. Ireland’s International Climate Finance Roadmap published in 2022, sets out our strategy and priorities for this scale-up in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (29 Apr 2025)

Neale Richmond: The Government remains firmly committed to Ireland’s international development assistance programme, and to the priority of reaching the furthest behind first. Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is a key priority for Ireland’s foreign policy, and for our international development policy, as set out in A Better World. We recognise that gender equality is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Aid (29 Apr 2025)

Neale Richmond: I and officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have maintained regular and close contact with the main Irish development NGOs on the impact of cutbacks in Official Development Assistance by USAID and by a number of other major donors. I have emphasised that the Government remains firmly committed to Ireland’s international development programme and to its overriding...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (9 Apr 2025)

Neale Richmond: In line with our current diaspora strategy, the Government is committed to strengthening the ties between Ireland and our communities overseas. In 2023, the Montreal Irish Monument Park Foundation received a grant of $200,000CAD (€138,750) under the Government's Emigrant Support Programme to support the creation of a new commemorative space in Montreal in recognition of the Irish...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Aid (9 Apr 2025)

Neale Richmond: The Government is firmly committed to Ireland’s international development assistance programme and its overriding priority, to reach the furthest behind first. The latest year for which full statistical detail of our Official Development Assistance (ODA) is available is 2023. Preliminary figures for 2024 will be available in the coming months. In 2023, the top ten recipient countries...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (8 Apr 2025)

Neale Richmond: I am very concerned at the impact on the civilian population of the continuing appalling violence in Gaza. The Department of Foreign Affairs is not familiar with this particular case and has not received any request for consular assistance, as the individual involved is not an Irish citizen. In February and March, 1,724 patients were evacuated from Gaza for specialised treatment in Egypt and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (3 Apr 2025)

Neale Richmond: The devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday 28 March caused widespread loss of life and destruction. Some 3,000 people have so far been reported killed, and the humanitarian impact continues to grow. The Government announced an immediate package of €6 million in response to the impact of the earthquake and to support people in Myanmar already suffering huge levels of...

Ceisteanna Eile (Atógáil) - Other Questions (Resumed): Trade Missions (1 Apr 2025)

Neale Richmond: There are no Blueshirts left.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (1 Apr 2025)

Neale Richmond: This is a key issue when we come to the combined European effort in support of Ukraine. We are being asked to do more for Ukraine by other allies around the world, but not all 27 EU member states are prepared to do that or are pulling their weight. That is why the €250 million allocated to the European PEACE facility is what we want to see developed. It is part of a much wider...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (1 Apr 2025)

Neale Richmond: I thank Deputy Callaghan for a pertinent question. Needless to say, the Government in its entirety, and most of the House I expect, remain deeply concerned about the situation on the ground in Ukraine where we see Russia is demonstrating a clear desire to continue escalation and conflict. US proposals for a partial ceasefire on energy infrastructure and in the Black Sea, as well as plans...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Ukraine War (1 Apr 2025)

Neale Richmond: It is proposed that up to €20 million be provided to the two UDCG coalitions as outlined, both of which Ireland has joined and at which is represented by the Department of Defence. It is proposed €80 million will be allocated to procurement partnerships with other EU member states. As I said, examples of relevant non-lethal supports could include non-lethal elements of air...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (1 Apr 2025)

Neale Richmond: Ireland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where it occurs or who the victims are. This includes where Christians face persecution for exercising the right to practice their faith. We consistently raise issues related to freedom of religion or belief at the United Nations, including at the UN Human Rights Council and during the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Issues (1 Apr 2025)

Neale Richmond: The Government remains committed to deepening our ties with the global Irish and supporting them to build diverse and dynamic communities overseas. We are also aware that everyone’s journey is different and that many will look to return to Ireland at various times. The Programme for Government commits to facilitating the easier return to Ireland for emigrants including those who...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (1 Apr 2025)

Neale Richmond: Since October 2023, Ireland has provided over €72 million in support to the Palestinian people, together with 116 tonnes of relief supplies for people in Gaza. On 2 March the Israeli authorities announced a halt to humanitarian aid entering Gaza. No assistance has been allowed in since then. Aid provided by Ireland is impeded by the same restrictions affecting all humanitarian...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Issues (1 Apr 2025)

Neale Richmond: The Government remains committed to deepening our ties with the global Irish and supporting them to build diverse and dynamic communities overseas. This work is underpinned by the Emigrant Support Programme (ESP), which is overseen by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Since it was established in 2004, the ESP has provided over €250 million in grants to more than 900...