Results 1,981-2,000 of 7,777 for speaker:Joe Costello

Seanad: Overseas Development Issues: Statements (9 May 2013)

Joe Costello: I am sure the Senator does not believe everything he reads. He should check whether we have an ambassador in Zimbabwe.

Seanad: Overseas Development Issues: Statements (9 May 2013)

Joe Costello: It is the Department of Finance that deals with the World Bank.

Seanad: Overseas Development Issues: Statements (9 May 2013)

Joe Costello: That is actually the way it is. I will go into greater detail.

Seanad: Overseas Development Issues: Statements (9 May 2013)

Joe Costello: That is not what is happening. I will answer the Senator's claim in my reply.

Seanad: Overseas Development Issues: Statements (9 May 2013)

Joe Costello: Before I commence, I welcome the fact that a group of children is present in the Gallery. I thank Senators for the opportunity to address the House on Ireland's new policy for international development - One World, One Future: Ireland's Policy for International Development - as well as other recent developments relevant to the Government's commitment to international co-operation. The past...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (8 May 2013)

Joe Costello: CHAI is one of a series of separate initiatives established by the Clinton Foundation. It works in association with Governments and other partners to scale up prevention and treatment programmes for HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, and to develop integrated health systems in partner countries. Following an evaluation of its effectiveness, the partnership between Irish Aid and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (8 May 2013)

Joe Costello: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a roster of observers for election monitoring missions. We aim to ensure that, when requested, Ireland is represented at an appropriate level in international observation missions for both elections and constitutional referendums. Irish observers participate primarily in missions organised by the European Union and the Organisation for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Tax Code (7 May 2013)

Joe Costello: In certain circumstances, goods imported for charitable purposes may receive an exemption from import duties. The Embassy of Ireland in Nigeria would be happy to provide the relevant information to facilitate Irish charities and missionaries to apply to the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja, Nigeria for such an exemption.

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (7 May 2013)

Joe Costello: Last week the Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore TD and I launched Ireland’s new policy on International Development – One World, One Future – where we set out our vision for a sustainable and just world. This policy sets out in very clear terms our goals and areas of focus and affirms Ireland’s commitment to international...

Topical Issue Debate: Foreign Conflicts (1 May 2013)

Joe Costello: I know the Acting Chairman has an interest in the issue and she has raised it before. I take on board everything said by the Deputy about this significant tragedy. He mentioned a figure of 70,000 and the number has certainly risen, with probably 100,000 killed in the conflict at this point. The number of displaced persons is enormous, at 6.8 million, and surrounding countries have huge...

Topical Issue Debate: Foreign Conflicts (1 May 2013)

Joe Costello: I thank Deputy Smith for raising this important issue. The European Union has repeatedly called on the Syrian authorities never to use its chemical weapons and to store them securely, pending destruction under independent verification. Ireland has made the same calls. Recent information which suggests that chemical weapons may have been used in Syria is of the utmost concern to us all....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Policy (1 May 2013)

Joe Costello: The Policy is based on the Review of the White Paper on Irish Aid last year, one of the commitments contained in the Programme for Government. In this Review, we assessed the changed context, globally and here at home, and examined carefully the evidence and experience of recent years as well as the contributions made during the public consultation period. One World, One Future will be...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (23 Apr 2013)

Joe Costello: Some 80% of the funding was managed by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under Vote 27 – International Cooperation. The remainder consisted of development contributions made through other Government Departments, and Ireland’s share of the EU Development Cooperation budget. Funding under the Government’s aid programme was provided for long term...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (23 Apr 2013)

Joe Costello: The anticipated budget for the programme in Uganda in 2012 was €32.75 million. However, when I became aware of the misappropriation of Irish funds in October 2012, I immediately suspended over €16 million of assistance which was due to be channelled through Government of Uganda systems. The final outturn for the Uganda aid programme in 2012 was €15.54 million. An...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (23 Apr 2013)

Joe Costello: There are currently 4 million people in desperate need of the basic means of survival. Over 2 million Syrians are displaced inside the country, their homes and communities destroyed and uninhabitable. More than 1.3 million people are now taking refuge in neighbouring countries after fleeing the hostilities. Despite serious risks and constraints on their operations, humanitarian workers are...

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

Joe Costello: There are now over 4 million people in need of life saving humanitarian assistance within Syria and over 1.3 million refugees in neighbouring countries. As the conflict enters its third year, the coping mechanisms of the internally displaced and the refugee populations are severely depleted and the numbers in acute need are increasing every day. The Tánaiste saw first-hand the terrible...

Seanad: Mortgage Arrears: Motion (17 Apr 2013)

Joe Costello: There is no criticism of the Senator.

Seanad: Mortgage Arrears: Motion (17 Apr 2013)

Joe Costello: There is good reason for that. Such a body would be struck down by the courts as a gross interference in the rights of parties to conduct their affairs. That is the answer to Senator Darragh O'Brien.

Seanad: Mortgage Arrears: Motion (17 Apr 2013)

Joe Costello: The State cannot impose a settlement on parties to a private contract involving the provision of goods, services or capital. There are enough lawyers in the House who know it quite well. The Personal Insolvency Act is one of the key elements of the Government's strategy to return this country to stability and economic growth. Its success depends on the goodwill and determination of debtors...

Seanad: Mortgage Arrears: Motion (17 Apr 2013)

Joe Costello: I thank all of the Senators who have contributed to the debate. I did not hear the early part of the debate as I arrived when Senator Thomas Byrne was speaking. I am speaking on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, who is unable to attend this evening. I have listened to many constructive proposals, which are welcome. Senator Byrne's comments can only be...