Results 841-860 of 3,797 for speaker:Ciarán Cannon

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (6 Mar 2019)

Ciarán Cannon:  In the Government's new development cooperation policy 'A Better World' launched by the Taoiseach last week, we have committed to increase our engagement with Irish people and organisations involved in all aspects of our development cooperation, including Irish volunteers in developing countries and those who have returned to Ireland.   Ireland's policy on...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Climate Change Policy (5 Mar 2019)

Ciarán Cannon: Over the three years 2015-2017 inclusive, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade expended approximately €100 million on climate related interventions at a global and country level. These funds were channelled through multilateral organisations including International Financial Institutions, country partners primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, international and national civil society...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (5 Mar 2019)

Ciarán Cannon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 115, 117, 119 and 126 together. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains and administers a roster of suitably skilled individuals who are available to participate in election observation missions overseas, organised in the main by the EU and the OSCE. A new roster was put in place in January 2019 following a Call for Volunteers which issued in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights (5 Mar 2019)

Ciarán Cannon: I am deeply concerned about the violence which has accompanied recent protests in Sudan, including credible reports of the use of live fire by the Government of Sudan and of multiple deaths. Demonstrations, triggered by spiralling costs of living, began in the city of Atbara in the north east of the country on 19 December last year, spreading to over twenty towns and cities. While...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (5 Mar 2019)

Ciarán Cannon: In its Global Ireland strategy, published in June 2018, the Government stated it would commit to delivering the United Nations target of allocating 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI), to Official Development Assistance by 2030. At the launch of Ireland’s new policy for international development, A Better World, on the 28th February, the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and I reiterated this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (5 Mar 2019)

Ciarán Cannon: Yemen is the world’s largest humanitarian crisis in terms of numbers of people in need - the UN estimates that 24.1 million people, equivalent to four fifths of its population, are severely affected and require some form of humanitarian assistance. 70 per cent of all districts are estimated to be at heightened risk of famine. Last week, the United Nations and the Governments of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (5 Mar 2019)

Ciarán Cannon: On 27 February last, the Nigerian Independent National Electoral Commission, announced that President Muhammadu Buhari had been re-elected for a second four year term following Presidential elections on 23 February. The ballot had originally been scheduled for 16 February and was postponed at short notice for one week. The Independent National Electoral Commission gave a number of reasons...

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019: Second Stage (Resumed) (28 Feb 2019)

Ciarán Cannon: In my role as Minister of State with responsibility for the diaspora and international development, I have been committed to maintaining strong relationships between Ireland and the communities of Irish emigrants and people of Irish heritage abroad. We cannot talk about our diaspora without recognising our extraordinary history of emigration, including in particular those who moved to the UK...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Sustainable Development Goals (27 Feb 2019)

Ciarán Cannon: Through Ireland's International Development Cooperation programme, recognised as one of the best in the world, my Department prioritises and invests in addressing global health challenges and in strengthening health systems. We work through global health initiatives as well as through our bilateral programmes. My Department has worked closely with the Health Service Executive (HSE) since...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Emigrant Support Services (27 Feb 2019)

Ciarán Cannon: This Government is committed to making it as easy as possible for Irish emigrants to return to live and work in Ireland. Reducing barriers to returning emigrants has important implications for national competitiveness; in a growing Irish economy facilitating the return of skills will be of importance in sustaining economic growth. In my capacity as Minister of State for the Diaspora, I...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (27 Feb 2019)

Ciarán Cannon: The number and complexity of humanitarian crises globally has increased in recent years, with the UN estimating that over 134 million people are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance and protection. Conflict is the most significant driver of this increased need. Ireland works closely with partners around the world to address these needs. We are committed to the UN system, and have a...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid Provision (27 Feb 2019)

Ciarán Cannon: Ireland is a longstanding and steadfast supporter of the Palestinian people and of a two-State solution. In 2018, we provided €15.38 million in development and humanitarian assistance to meet the needs of the most vulnerable Palestinian men, women and children, including in Gaza. This was our highest level of funding ever. In the Tánaiste's recent visits to the region, he has...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Common Security and Defence Policy (27 Feb 2019)

Ciarán Cannon: I remain deeply concerned by the threat to peace and security represented by armed groups such as Boko Haram and Al Shabaab. The Government consistently condemns their brutal attacks on civilian populations, and particularly the impact of such violence on women and girls. The violent attack on the DusitD2 Complex in Nairobi last month was a reminder of the impact of such extremism,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Data (27 Feb 2019)

Ciarán Cannon: The best known target in international aid proposes to raise official development assistance (ODA) to 0.7% of donors' gross national income. This target was included in a 1970's UN Resolution where each economically advanced country agreed to progressively increase its ODA to developing countries and to exert its best efforts to reach this target. While not many countries have achieved this...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Correspondence (26 Feb 2019)

Ciarán Cannon: I refer the Deputy to the responses to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 80 of 30 January 2019, 61 of 6 February 2019 and 84 of 20 February 2019, which relate to this matter. I understand that there was communication from my Department to the Deputy on this matter on 21 February. The candidate's application has been referred to an Appeals Panel for review. The Panel is nearing completion of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (26 Feb 2019)

Ciarán Cannon: I am deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation inside Syria, with an estimated 13.1 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. The situation in Rukban, where around 40,000 people are located in a makeshift settlement, remains particularly challenging due to the difficulties in securing access for humanitarian aid. Ireland continues to call for full unimpeded access for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (26 Feb 2019)

Ciarán Cannon: As the Deputy will be aware, all passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Acts 2008 (as amended). Before a passport can issue, the Passport Service must be satisfied as to the identity of the applicant and that he or she is an Irish citizen. It appears from details provided by the Deputy that the person in question is not an Irish citizen and has never held an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (26 Feb 2019)

Ciarán Cannon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 105 together. I refer the Deputies to the responses to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 153 of 5 February 2019, 58 of 7 February 2019, 124 of 12 February 2019 and 129 of 19 February 2019. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade facilitates participation in a range of volunteering opportunities overseas. Typically these opportunities involve...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Rights of People with Disabilities (26 Feb 2019)

Ciarán Cannon: The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is committed to addressing the needs and rights of people living with disabilities. This commitment is reflected in actions across our development cooperation programme and in our engagement with the EU, UN and other international bodies. In March 2018 Ireland formally ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Diplomatic Representation (26 Feb 2019)

Ciarán Cannon: Ireland opened an Embassy in Liberia in June 2018, part of the Global Ireland 2025 initiative. Ireland's diplomatic presence in Liberia will be increased to two diplomats from September 2019. Upgrading the development office in Liberia and the posting of Irish staff to Monrovia is a further step towards strengthening Ireland's presence in West Africa. Embassy Monrovia is in the...