Results 8,441-8,460 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (26 Jan 2017)

Joe McHugh: International election monitoring missions play an important role in the promotion of democracy and human rights. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains and administers a roster of observers for such missions. The aim is to ensure that Ireland is represented at an appropriate level in international election observation missions organised in the main by the European Union and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (25 Jan 2017)

Joe McHugh: I am deeply concerned by the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria. Despite recent progress made by Nigerian and regional armed forces, violence by Boko Haram remains a serious threat to the peace and security of Nigeria and to the wider Lake Chad region. This conflict has resulted in the displacement of millions of people and has caused a humanitarian crisis affecting some 14 million people. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (25 Jan 2017)

Joe McHugh: The provision of effective humanitarian assistance is a key foreign policy priority for the Government. Ireland provided over €150 million in humanitarian funding in 2016, to provide assistance to people affected by crisis and conflict around the world. Ireland’s humanitarian assistance is targeted at where needs are greatest and we ensure a focus on crises and conflicts...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (25 Jan 2017)

Joe McHugh: We remain deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis facing the Syrian people. Despite the cessation of hostilities since 30 December 2016, the current situation remains extremely fragile and the humanitarian situation dire for many Syrians. Minister Flanagan and I repeatedly raised our concerns about the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Syria during 2016. We will continue to do so,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (25 Jan 2017)

Joe McHugh: The Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme, and to its place at the heart of our foreign policy. Our policy for international development, “One World, One Future”, clearly articulates our commitment to the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Product (GNP) in Official Development Assistance (ODA), as economic conditions allow. In...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (25 Jan 2017)

Joe McHugh: I share the great concern about the loss of life and the injuries caused as a result of the bombing carried out last week by the Nigerian military at Rann camp for displaced people in Northeast Nigeria. I acknowledge the expressions of regret by the Nigerian Government, including by President Buhari, and I welcome their commitment to a thorough investigation into the incident. I wish to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (25 Jan 2017)

Joe McHugh: We remain deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis facing the Syrian people. Despite the cessation of hostilities since 30 December 2016, the situation remains extremely fragile and the humanitarian crisis persists for many Syrians. Humanitarian access and the protection of civilians are binding legal obligations for all parties and must be observed. Since 2012, Ireland has...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (25 Jan 2017)

Joe McHugh: The European Union is fully committed to effective multilateralism and this commitment, with the UN at its core, is a central element of the approach to external action as set out in the EU’s new Global Strategy. The EU works closely with the UN system on the issues and challenges which face the world today, including on the migration and refugee crisis. The UN system, notably the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (25 Jan 2017)

Joe McHugh: The world is facing an unprecedented level of humanitarian need. In 2017, the UN estimates that 92.8 million people are in need of some form of humanitarian assistance, over 65 million people are displaced from their homes across the world, and $22.2 billion is needed to fund the global humanitarian response. Ireland’s humanitarian response has been consistent to some of the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (25 Jan 2017)

Joe McHugh: Ireland provided over €150 million in humanitarian assistance in 2016, focused on where needs are greatest, in countries affected by conflict or devastation caused by natural disasters. In 2017, the UN estimates that 92.8 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, with over 65 million people displaced by conflict worldwide. Ireland’s humanitarian response is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (25 Jan 2017)

Joe McHugh: Over the past months the Nigerian Government has led efforts in the region against Boko Haram. These efforts have been supported by the international community. The EU has pledged up to €50 million in support of the Multinational Joint Taskforce, which supports 8,700 troops from Nigeria and neighbouring countries to promote regional security. Despite recent progress by Nigerian and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (24 Jan 2017)

Joe McHugh: The declaration of a state of emergency by Gambia’s former President Jammeh and the move by the Gambian Parliament to extend his term by an additional three months were a clear attempt to undermine the integrity of the electoral process and frustrate the will of the Gambian people. They were a cause for serious concern and were rightly condemned by the United Nations Security Council....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (24 Jan 2017)

Joe McHugh: The Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme, and to its place at the heart of our foreign policy. Our policy for international development, “One World, One Future”, clearly articulates our commitment to the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Product (GNP) in Official Development Assistance (ODA) as economic conditions allow. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (24 Jan 2017)

Joe McHugh: Ireland continues to respond to the immense humanitarian needs arising from the crises across the Middle East region. We recognise the need to support the countries such as Jordan which have demonstrated remarkable generosity in hosting refugee communities fleeing from conflict in Syria and Iraq. In 2016, Ireland provided more than €3 million through the Irish Aid humanitarian...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Policy (17 Jan 2017)

Joe McHugh: I share the concern about the current situation in the Gambia, and the statements by President Jammeh suggesting that he does not accept the result of the democratic elections held in December. I fully support the statement on behalf of the EU High Representative last month calling on the President to respect the will of the Gambian people as expressed in the election result. I am also...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: International Agreements (16 Dec 2016)

Joe McHugh: Ireland is playing its part in support of EU measures and programmes to assist in the response to the migration crisis and, crucially, in addressing its root causes. In a Communication on 7 June, the European Commission set out a new results-oriented concept of co-operation with third countries, the Migration Partnership Framework. On 28 June, the European Council agreed that delivering...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (16 Dec 2016)

Joe McHugh: Ireland has consistently condemned the human rights abuses committed by Boko Haram, and has provided some €3 million this year in humanitarian assistance as a result of the conflict in north-eastern Nigeria. Boko Haram is a serious threat to the safety, stability and prosperity of Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad. Some progress has been made by the Nigerian armed forces through...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Assistance (16 Dec 2016)

Joe McHugh: The international community is currently challenged by the unprecedented scale of humanitarian crises globally, as a result of war and conflict, drought and famine and the devastation caused by natural disasters. Over 65 million people are now displaced from their homes across the world, most of them living in situations of conflict. Humanitarian assistance is a key foreign policy priority...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Undocumented Irish in the USA (13 Dec 2016)

Joe McHugh: Cuirim fáilte roimh an gceist seo atá thar a bheith tábhachtach. Bhí mé i mo Sheanadóir ó 2002 go dtí 2007 agus gabhaim mo bhuíochas leis na Seanadóirí as an bhfáilte go dtí an Teach inniu. I thank Senator Lawless for placing this important topic on the agenda today. The roles currently occupied by Senator Lawless and myself...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Undocumented Irish in the USA (13 Dec 2016)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Senator again. I will point to the very real human stories behind the issue. The Senator knows them at a personal level in Chicago and other places. I met someone who has been in the United States since 1986. To put that into perspective, that was the year I did what was not the junior certificate but the intermediate certificate at the time. That man has remained...