Results 2,261-2,280 of 7,777 for speaker:Joe Costello

Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (14 Mar 2012)

Joe Costello: I welcome the opportunity to say a few words on these amendments. I accept the Minister's statement that he taken the advice of the Attorney General, who indicates these amendments are unnecessary. Amendment No. 2 is regarded as too wide in its reference to residence within the State. It is very wide indeed and perhaps could be more tailored in regard to permits having been granted by the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (28 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: I am visiting Malawi this week in order to see the impact of Ireland's development programme in the country, which is strongly focused on the areas of hunger and nutrition. I will also hold a number of meetings and consultations as part of the ongoing review of the White Paper on Irish Aid. During the visit I will meet with Ministers and senior officials of the Government of Malawi, as...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (28 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: All Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) which receive funding from Irish Aid to support their work in developing countries are required to submit annual, externally audited accounts, and to publish these audited accounts on their organisational website. These audited accounts include details on the salary levels paid to senior staff, including chief executives and senior officials. As part...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (28 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: The overarching objective of Ireland's aid programme is to contribute to the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger in the world. To ensure that our assistance is effectively delivered to those most in need in developing countries, we work in partnership with Governments, local communities, NGOs, and key multilateral partners such as the United Nations and European Union. Our aid...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (23 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were agreed by world leaders at the United Nations in 2000 as the framework for international development policy up to 2015. They provide a clearly measurable way to track progress in the fight against global poverty. The Goals are central to Ireland's overseas development programme, and to the Government's development policy. On a global level,...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (23 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: Ireland has a strong and internationally recognised development cooperation programme. This year we are delivering €639 million in Official Development Assistance (ODA) to improve lives in some of the world's poorest communities. This commitment to international development cooperation is central to our foreign policy and strongly reflects the values of the Irish people. The Government...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (22 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: Ireland's Embassy in Malawi was established in 2007. The opening of the Embassy coincided with the decision to designate Malawi as a priority country for the aid programme, with a commitment to the provision of long term strategic assistance. The table below sets out the annual funding levels for the aid programme in Malawi since 2008. It also provides information on the number of Irish...

Written Answers — Humanitarian Aid: Humanitarian Aid (21 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: Across the Sahel region of western Africa, a combination of drought, high grain prices, environmental degradation and chronic underdevelopment is expected to plunge millions of people into a new food crisis this year. Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Chad, northern Cameroon and northern Nigeria are all likely to be affected. The UN is reporting that there are already an...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (21 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: The aim of the current Review of the 2006 White Paper on Irish Aid is to examine the changing context for our aid programme, at home and globally, and to learn from what works best in delivering real results for poor people on the ground. The Review will set out clear priorities for the aid programme over the coming years. I have recently launched a wide consultation process for the Review,...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (21 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: The issue of addressing conflict, including its causes and the resulting humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa, has been the subject of recent discussion and decisions at both the European Union (EU) and United Nations (UN) levels. Addressing the many problems faced by the region remains a huge challenge given the issues of piracy off the coast of Somalia, the displacement of several...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (21 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: On 12 January 2010, Haiti was struck by one of the most devastating earthquakes in recent history, causing approximately 230,000 deaths and 300,000 injuries. The earthquake destroyed much of Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas, left about 1.5 million people homeless and caused losses and damage estimated at approximately €5.9 billion. Given the scale of the death and destruction...

Seanad: Diplomatic Representation (21 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: I thank Senator Walsh for raising this matter. The decision to close Ireland's resident embassy to the Holy See, in addition to our embassy in Tehran and mission in Timor-Leste, was taken by the Government in response to budgetary pressures and on the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which sought to assess where budgetary cuts would least affect the national...

Seanad: Diplomatic Representation (21 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: I will certainly take on board what the Senator said. I will inform the Tánaiste of his views on the last paragraph of my response. I will certainly clarify the matter for the Senator.

International Debt Relief (21 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: Ireland is recognised internationally for its contribution to the fight against global poverty and hunger and leading role in making international aid more effective. The State has played a strong role in the development of a consensus on the issue of debt cancellation for the least developed countries. All of our aid is provided in the form of grants, not loans. We have contributed our...

International Debt Relief (21 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: Ireland favours debt cancellation which has been our position since 2002. As stated, the situation is being reviewed jointly by the Departments of Finance and Foreign Affairs and Trade. The Deputy may be aware that a review of the 2006 White Paper is also under way, which review will feed into the consultation process. We would welcome an input from Members of this House into the review of...

International Debt Relief (21 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: We do not believe there are any conditions attached. Irish Aid has never been tied. We have always argued this point internationally.

International Debt Relief (21 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: I am sorry.

International Debt Relief (21 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: Yes, we do have a role to play in that regard. Reform of the quota system and the manner in which voting takes place at the IMF is under way. The likelihood is that this will result in the Irish voting position, dating back to the old quota system, being considerably improved. A new voting system is being introduced and it is likely that it will provide Ireland with a much stronger role....

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (8 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: For 2012, the Government will provide a total of €639 million for ODA, which, on current projections, will represent over 0.5% of GNP. Given our current economic circumstances this allocation represents a real commitment by the Government and people of Ireland to the world's poorest people. The allocation represents a total reduction of €20 million on the projected outturn for 2011 – a...

Leaders' Questions (8 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: Joe and Bertie are the only socialists left.