Results 2,041-2,060 of 7,777 for speaker:Joe Costello

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (19 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 212, 214 to 216, inclusive, 218 and 220 together. I welcome the focus of this year’s Trócaire Lenten Campaign on the rights of citizens and community organisations to participate in and influence decisions that affect their lives. Civil society organisations play an important role in bringing citizens together to act collectively and participate...

Leaders' Questions (14 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: Yes, it is the wrong time. The Deputy's party should have introduced it.

Leaders' Questions (14 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: Who is responsible for it?

Magdalen Laundries: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (13 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: These women deserve an apology and they will get an apology, but I do not agree with Deputy Kelleher that the first part of acknowledging the wrong that was done should have been an apology. The first and most important acknowledgement of the wrong that was done was the Government's decision to establish an inquiry. It is galling to see Fianna Fáil traipsing after Sinn Féin, which...

Magdalen Laundries: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (13 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: We have set up an inquiry and an apology will certainly be forthcoming. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the report by former Senator McAleese on the Magdalen laundries. Former Senator McAleese and the committee are to be commended on their excellent work in bringing to light what happened to these women and for setting out the role of the State in the operation of the laundries. I...

Promissory Notes Arrangement: Motion (Resumed) (13 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: I knew those congratulations were too good to be true.

Promissory Notes Arrangement: Motion (Resumed) (13 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: But our Johnny is not praising it.

Promissory Notes Arrangement: Motion (Resumed) (13 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: That is begrudgery.

Promissory Notes Arrangement: Motion (Resumed) (13 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: I would have thought that Deputy Ross would agree with the Financial Times.

Promissory Notes Arrangement: Motion (Resumed) (13 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: There was no smugness.

Promissory Notes Arrangement: Motion (Resumed) (13 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the agreement reached last week on the promissory note arrangement. While much more work is to be done, the deal is a very important step in Ireland's economic recovery. I pay tribute to the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste for the work they have done to make this deal possible. The previous Government lumbered...

Topical Issue Debate: Inter-Country Adoptions (13 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: I thank Deputy Ó Fearghaíl for raising this important issue. I apologise for the fact the Minister, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, cannot be present. I have a tenuous relationship with the adoption process in Vietnam in that I met the authorities from Vietnam when they were here last year. I visited Vietnam subsequently on a trade mission and met them again in another capacity and...

Topical Issue Debate: Inter-Country Adoptions (13 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: I thank the Deputy. It is certainly not the intention of the Minister to have any discrimination in regard to the type of person or family that is engaged in adoption. Indeed, the idea that only wealthy families would be able to do this because of the danger of funding not coming forward was part of the reason the Hague Convention came into place. The convention sought to ensure adoption...

Promissory Notes: Statements (7 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: That is disappointing, Pearse.

National Lottery Bill 2012: Referral to Select Committee (6 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform, pursuant to Standing Order 82A(3)(a) and 126(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business.

National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: I thank the Deputies for their contributions to this debate. The Minister, Deputy Howlin, who unfortunately cannot be in the House, is conscious of the high regard in which the national lottery is held by the public. Many of the issues raised by Deputies reflect their wish to ensure that Ireland will continue to have a national lottery which is based on integrity and propriety and which...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (6 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: I, and Irish Aid officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, have been in communication with the oganisation referred by the Deputy on a number of occasions over the past six months. In my correspondence with the organisation, I have acknowledged the importance of strengthening access to ICT infrastructure in the immediate aftermath of natural disasters. The organisation...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (5 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: Ireland’s assistance is directed to development programmes and emergency humanitarian assistance in over eighty of the world’s least developed countries. In addition to bilateral funding administered directly by Irish Aid, we implement programmes through trusted partners such as Non Governmental Organisations, Missionary Organisations, UN Agencies and other International...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (5 Feb 2013)

Joe Costello: Negotiations on the European Union’s Multiannual Financial Framework for 2014-2020, the MFF, have made substantial progress. At its meeting on 22-23 November 2012, the European Council gave a mandate to President Van Rompuy and President Barroso to pursue work on the MFF, with a view to reaching agreement at the beginning of 2013. President Van Rompuy now hopes to close negotiations at...

Topical Issue Debate: Health Service Staff (31 Jan 2013)

Joe Costello: I thank the Deputy for raising this Topical Issue. I apologise on behalf of the Minister, who cannot be present. Psychologists perform a wide variety of roles across the health and social care services and provide a very important service to service users across a wide spectrum of need. A working group was, therefore, established within the HSE to agree appropriate eligibility criteria...