Results 8,481-8,500 of 13,291 for speaker:Joe McHugh

Other Questions: Humanitarian Aid (23 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: Looking at the global figure, the EU has pledged €50 million in support of the multinational joint task force which supports 8,700 troops. The European Commission has also provided $52.4 million in funding towards humanitarian situations. We have the money and it is about how best we use it, given the nuances around culture, what is needed and what is best for specific regions. We...

Other Questions: Overseas Development Aid Oversight (23 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: I dtús báire, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an Teachta fá choinne an cheist seo a ardú. The EU emergency trust fund for Africa was launched in November 2015 at the EU-Africa summit on migration in Valletta, as a response to the development challenges in migrants' home countries. These challenges are mainly in the Lake Chad - Sahel region, the Horn...

Other Questions: Overseas Development Aid Oversight (23 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: I share Deputy O'Sullivan's concerns about where the debate is at. Yesterday I met with a number of NGO chief executives, including Peter Maurer from the International Committee of the Red Cross, and everyone is having the debate on what is the best way forward. Critical to that debate are the people on the ground, especially the NGOs, but they also feed in to a multi-lateral platform which...

Other Questions: Overseas Development Aid Oversight (23 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: In some instances, there are concerns around how one distributes the money. In these particular countries, we are talking about going to the NGOs or collaboration with the UN and NGOs, such as the Red Cross. We also must ensure that money does not go through government, so transparency must also be to the fore. We have to build the capacity at local level. The NGOs are at the forefront...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (23 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: The continuing conflict in Syria has generated the most serious humanitarian crisis in the world today. Minister Flanagan and I have focused on the crisis in a range of discussions in recent months at EU level, at the UN, and with our civil society partners. The Government is strongly committed to responding to the extraordinary humanitarian needs of the Syrian people. Since 2012,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Aid (23 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: Through the Irish Aid programme, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade works with a range of partners to deliver on our longstanding commitment to improve access to quality health and HIV services for poor and marginalised communities. Since 2003, Irish Aid has worked in partnership with the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Health Access Initiative on the fight against HIV and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (23 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: Humanitarian assistance is a key foreign policy priority for Ireland. In 2015, Ireland’s humanitarian funding amounted to more than €142 million. This level of funding will be maintained in 2016, in response to unprecedented levels of humanitarian need. Ireland also contributes to the European Commission’s humanitarian action outside the EU, which has an annual...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (23 Nov 2016)

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: Humanitarian Aid Provision (23 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: Ireland responded quickly to the devastation and suffering caused by Hurricane Matthew in Haiti. Through Irish Aid, the Government has provided just over €2 million to date in humanitarian assistancethrough experienced NGO partners. In the immediate aftermath of the Hurricane, the Department organised two airlifts of humanitarian supplies to provide relief to 2,500 families in the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Irish Aid (23 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: Since 2012, Ireland has provided a total of €62 million in humanitarian assistance to Syria and the region. At present, it is Ireland’s largest response to any humanitarian crisis. Of the €20 million in funding provided by Ireland so far in 2016, €14 million has been delivered through the Irish Aid programme, managed by my Department, and €6 million...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (23 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: I am acutely aware of the need for a high degree of assurance that our overseas aid continues to reach its intended beneficiaries, even in challenging environments. Ireland has long been committed to making a difference in the lives of the poorest people. Ireland’s Official Development Assistance increased in 2016, demonstrating the continuing importance we place on providing aid...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (23 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: Supporting countries and communities most seriously in need is the core work of Ireland’s development assistance programme. The Government’s Policy for International Development, One World One Future, has a strong emphasis on bringing lasting benefits to the poorest and most vulnerable. The most recent Peer Review by the OECD of the Irish Aid programme, in 2014, singled out...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (22 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: For 2017, the Government has allocated a total of €651 million for Official Development Assistance (ODA), an increase of €10 million on the 2016 allocation. Of this total, €486 million will be administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which manages the Irish Aid programme. A further estimated €165 million will come from other Government...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (22 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: I am seriously concerned about the growing humanitarian crisis in north-eastern Nigeria, following seven years of conflict and violence by Boko Haram. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that 14 million people in the region are now in need of humanitarian assistance. This includes up to 1.7 million internally displaced people in Adamawa,...

Social Welfare Bill 2016: Referral to Select Committee (10 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Social Protection pursuant to Standing Orders 84A(3)(a) and 149 of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business.

Social Welfare Bill 2016: Second Stage (Resumed) (10 Nov 2016)

Joe McHugh: Gabhaim mo bhuíochas le hachan Theachta fá choinne na moltaí sa díopóireacht anseo inniu. In opening the debate on the Bill on Tuesday the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Leo Varadkar, characterised the thinking and policies underlying the Bill and budget 2017 as prudent, with modest increases for all those who looked to the social welfare system for income...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (25 Oct 2016)

Joe McHugh: I am seriously concerned about the issues under investigation by the US authorities. Minister Flanagan outlined the Government's concerns to the Chair and members of the Board of Goal in a meeting last month. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been closely engaged with the Board of Goal since these issues emerged. Given the seriousness of the issues involved, we indicated...

European Council Meeting: Statements (19 Oct 2016)

Joe McHugh: Gabhaim mo bhuíochas leis an gCathaoirleach fá choinne an tseans labhairt le linn na ráiteas faoi chruinniú na Comhairle Eorpaigh a tharlóidh an tseachtain seo chugainn. As the Taoiseach indicated, I will focus my remarks on the external relations item of the European Council meeting. This is to consist of a broad, strategic policy debate on Russia and a likely...

Financial Resolutions 2017 - Financial Resolution No. 2: General (Resumed) (13 Oct 2016)

Joe McHugh: I thank the Ministers of State, Deputies Doyle and Canney, for sharing time. I acknowledge the budget for the diaspora being kept at the same level as last year's. This is an important acknowledgement of the ongoing work on our emigrant support programme and the other work in which we are involved in working with Irish groups throughout the world. I also acknowledge the continued...

Financial Resolutions 2017 - Financial Resolution No. 2: General (Resumed) (12 Oct 2016)

Joe McHugh: A further €930 million would be required to reach that target.