Results 41-60 of 4,880 for speaker:Neale Richmond

Global Sumud Flotilla: Motion (30 Sep 2025)

Neale Richmond: I join with everyone in acknowledging the friends, family and supporters of those on the flotilla who join us in the Gallery. I thank them as representatives of their loved ones, but also for their own advocacy. In closing today’s session, I echo the sentiments expressed throughout the House in conveying my deep concern over reports of attacks on the flotilla and take this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (17 Sep 2025)

Neale Richmond: The effect of cutbacks in ODA by some major developed countries is already being felt. The immediate impact in developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, can be seen in sectors such as global health, humanitarian response, and governance and human rights. When I attended the Financing for Development Conference in Seville in July, followed by the meeting of G20 Development...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Issues (8 Sep 2025)

Neale Richmond: Further to PQ 44118/25, I can confirm that I am continuing an extensive consultation process to inform the development of our next Diaspora Strategy, which will launch at the Global Irish Civic Forum in April 2026. This consultation exercise has involved meeting with diaspora organisations at home and abroad. In June, I hosted a roundtable discussion in Iveagh House to hear from my fellow...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Issues (8 Sep 2025)

Neale Richmond: The Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade works to engage with our communities abroad and, in the past, has partnered with Fáilte Ireland to deliver the Global Irish Festival Series. This initiative encourages Irish people living abroad to return home to visit Ireland and provides funding and support, through local authorities, for events that tap into international diaspora...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Issues (8 Sep 2025)

Neale Richmond: Our approach to our diaspora has always been, and will continue to be, focused on supporting the most vulnerable members of the global Irish community. The diaspora also play an important role in Ireland’s international engagement, as key partners in delivering on the government’s trade, tourism and investment objectives in priority markets. The new Government Action Plan on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (8 Sep 2025)

Neale Richmond: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to follow closely reports and announcements related to cuts to aid and development spending. Through Ireland’s Embassies and Missions we are monitoring the impact on partnerships and programmes on the ground. We are consulting constantly with our partners as the situation evolves, including with UN agencies and international NGOs. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (8 Sep 2025)

Neale Richmond: The Government remains committed to the target agreed at the UN to provide 0.7% of Gross National Income in Official Development Assistance (ODA). The commitment was reaffirmed in 2019 in A Better World, Ireland's International Development Policy, and again in the Programme for Government. Ireland’s ODA consists of funding for programmes through the international development...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (8 Sep 2025)

Neale Richmond: I look forward to engaging on Ireland's EU Presidency in the second half of 2026, when international development issues will be an important part of the agenda. Work on the development of Ireland’s Presidency priorities is now in hand, taking into account the EU's Strategic Agenda for 2024-29, the legislative programme proposed by the European Commission, and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Further and Higher Education (8 Sep 2025)

Neale Richmond: The Ireland Fellows Programme (IFP) was established in 1974 and is an important element of the Irish Aid programme managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.  Its aims are to nurture future leaders in developing countries, to develop partner countries’ capacities to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and to build positive relationships with Ireland.  The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Data (8 Sep 2025)

Neale Richmond: The term Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights’, or SRHR, is used on a regular basis in texts that relate to development cooperation and human rights. For Ireland, these include references in A Better World, Ireland’s policy for international development; the annual Irish Aid reports; responses to Parliamentary Questions; and, in national statements such as those delivered...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Issues (8 Sep 2025)

Neale Richmond: In line with the Programme for Government commitment to develop our next Diaspora Strategy, I am leading an extensive consultation process with our diaspora both in person and online. The aim of this process is to ensure that the next strategy can reflect the needs of the global Irish community in an ever changing world. To date, I have also led in-person discussions with community groups...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (8 Sep 2025)

Neale Richmond: I remain deeply concerned by the situation in Sudan. More than two years of conflict have resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Over 14 million people have been forced to flee their homes and over 25 million people are in acute food insecurity, with many facing famine. We are seriously concerned at by reports of ongoing attacks in Sudan, including those carried out by the...

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

Neale Richmond: We share the concern at the recent decision by the transitional parliament in Burkina Faso to pass legislation criminalising LGBTQI+ persons. The promotion and protection of human rights is a domestic and foreign policy priority for the Government, underpinned by our commitment to universal human rights. We recognise that LGBTQI+ people continue to suffer disproportionate levels of violence...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (29 Jul 2025)

Neale Richmond: I look forward to engaging on Ireland's Presidency of the EU in the second half of 2026, when international development issues will be important on the agenda. On 16 July, the Commission published its proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which is due to run from 2028 to 2034. To ensure that our priorities were well communicated and understood,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Issues (29 Jul 2025)

Neale Richmond: Work is under way on the development of a new Diaspora Strategy for 2026-2031, in line with commitments in the Programme for Government. This will succeed our current strategy, which expires at the end of this year. I am keen to understand the issues affecting long-standing emigrants, newer arrivals, second and third generations and those in under-represented communities so that our new...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Issues (29 Jul 2025)

Neale Richmond: The Government remains committed to deepening our ties with the diaspora and ensuring there are supports in place to assist our all emigrants including those considering returning home. Working to reduce barriers for emigrants wishing to return to Ireland is a central priority for the Interdepartmental Committee on the Irish Abroad, which I chair. The Committee consists of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (29 Jul 2025)

Neale Richmond: Ireland’s official development cooperation in Mozambique is managed by the Africa Strategy, A Better World, the Government's international development policy, and the Embassy's own strategy for the period 2025 to 2030. Two strategic objectives are set out: deepening Ireland’s linkages with Mozambique and supporting inclusive and sustainable development. The Embassy has a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diaspora Issues (29 Jul 2025)

Neale Richmond: The Government remains committed to deepening our ties with the diaspora and ensuring there are supports in place to assist our all emigrants including those considering returning home. Working to reduce barriers for emigrants wishing to return to Ireland is a central priority for the Interdepartmental Committee on the Irish Abroad, which I chair. The Committee consists of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Northern Ireland (29 Jul 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 as they respond to the situation as a result of cutbacks in ODA by some major donors. I have emphasised that the Government remains firmly committed to Ireland’s international development programme and to its overriding priority, to reach the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Visa Agreements (29 Jul 2025)

Neale Richmond: The decision to require visas for entry to Ireland for nationals of South Africa and Botswana came into effect on 10 July 2024. The decision was communicated to the South African authorities and the Embassy in Pretoria immediately communicated to the public through a dedicated web page, social media posts, information videos and media engagement. The reach of this material was amplified...