Results 1,641-1,660 of 1,981 for speaker:Conor Lenihan

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (8 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: The Department of Foreign Affairs has published its second implementation plan for the decentralisation of Development Co-operation Ireland to Limerick. This plan includes risk mitigation strategies. The Department's audit committee has discussed the issue of decentralisation and has reviewed the associated risk assessment. In September 2005, the audit committee published its annual report...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (8 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: The earthquake which struck south Asia, particularly Pakistan, on 8 October has had devastating consequences. The unusually shallow nature of the quake caused widespread structural damage and current estimates put the dead at more than 70,000, including 17,000 children. Ireland was among the first countries to respond to the disaster and our quick response was widely welcomed. Within a few...

Order of Business. (3 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: We will have to get an injunction against the Deputy.

Irish Unification: Motion (Resumed). (3 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I was pleased to see Mr. Adams and Mr. Doherty here yesterday. It would be better, however, if they applied their time and effort to restoring the institutions and a relationship with the Unionist community in the North by forming the assembly and executive that are so necessary. The amended wording proposed by the Government addressed clear gaps in the text of the motion proposed to the...

Written Answers — Development Co-operation: Development Co-operation (2 Nov 2005)

Conor Lenihan: The political, economic and humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate. The economy has contracted by approximately 40% in recent years and devaluation of the currency is a function of this economic crisis. Continuous devaluation fuels inflation and puts basic necessities further out of the reach of the poor. Poverty and vulnerability are worsening and the current political...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (26 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: In the aftermath of the devastating tsunami which struck south Asia and parts of east Africa on 26 December 2004, the Government appointed Mr. Chris Flood, former Minister of State, and current chairman of the advisory board to Development Co-operation Ireland, as special envoy to the region. The envoy's mandate was to oversee the use of Irish funding in response to the tsunami and to ensure...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (26 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: The Taoiseach announced at the UN Millennium Review Summit in New York on 14 September that the Government would reach the target of spending 0.7% of GNP on official development assistance by 2012. Interim targets of 0.47% of GNP in 2006 and 0.5% in 2007 have also been agreed. The 2006 Estimates process is under way and the allocations to the Vote of the Department of Foreign Affairs for...

Order of Business. (26 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: Deputy Costello has had a fair few slots himself.

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (18 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 453 and 454 together. We have all been shocked and saddened by the destruction wreaked by the natural disasters which hit Pakistan and Central America. I made a detailed statement on the Government's response to these crises during the special Dáil debate on the matter last Wednesday. With regard to northern Pakistan and affected neighbouring areas, Ireland...

Natural Disasters in Asia and Central America: Statements. (13 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: The budget line for this relief effort is from devoted emergency assistance resources. Of the funding allocated for relief in the wake of the St. Stephen's Day tsunami, €10 million came from the existing emergency fund and an additional €10 million was sanctioned by the Department of Finance, bringing the total contribution to €20 million. In this case, it will not be necessary to seek...

Natural Disasters in Asia and Central America: Statements. (13 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I thank all Members on a cross-party basis for the intelligent, sympathetic and insightful contributions made in the debate. I was struck particularly by the contribution of the last speaker, Deputy Carey, who urged that Ireland should lead the process of discussion, negotiation and hard change at a UN and international level in terms of how Ireland will respond in future to disasters of this...

Natural Disasters in Asia and Central America: Statements. (13 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: The money is coming out of the emergency fund, which is part of our existing funding.

Natural Disasters in Asia and Central America: Statements. (13 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I welcome the opportunity to make a statement to the Dáil on this matter. We have all been shocked and saddened at the destruction wreaked by the natural disaster which hit northern Pakistan and the surrounding areas on Saturday. The earthquake measured approximately 7.6 on the Richter scale. Aftershocks were as high as 5.9 in the immediate aftermath and they continue still on a lesser...

Citizenship Applications. (6 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I will convey the suggestions and thoughts of Deputy Gilmore to the Minister, Deputy McDowell. Let me say at the outset on behalf of the Minister, who cannot be here this evening, that he is sympathetic to the situation of the person concerned and has, with his officials, examined all possible avenues to assist her in obtaining Irish citizenship. Section 8 of the Irish Nationality and...

Citizenship Applications. (6 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: The Minister appreciates that the person concerned has indicated that she is not in a financial position to pay this fee but he regrets he is unable to help in this regard. If the person concerned wishes to proceed with an application for naturalisation, she or the Deputy can contact the Minister's departmental office. The person concerned can then be put in touch with one of the Minister's...

Citizenship Applications. (6 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I will urge the Minister to deal directly with Deputy Gilmore on this matter and I will convey to him the Deputy's view that the regulations must be changed. It is somewhat unreasonable that some resolution cannot be reached if the lady concerned does not have the means to submit the fee. I agree with the Deputy that it would be terrible if she could not get her citizenship because she could...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (6 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 12, 107 and 166 together. The Taoiseach announced at the UN Millennium Review Summit in New York on 14 September that the Government will reach the target of spending 0.7% of GNP on official development assistance by 2012. This is three years earlier than the agreed EU target date of 2015. It places Ireland in the front rank of donors worldwide, in terms...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (6 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I proposed to take Questions Nos. 26, 47, 167 and 169 together. HIV-AIDS continues to be the single biggest obstacle to reducing poverty and to attaining the millennium development goals, MDGs. Current statistics from the United Nations joint programme on AIDS, UNAIDS, indicate that in 2004 almost 40 million people were living with the HIV virus. Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be the worst...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (6 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 41 and 70 together. Under the Government's decentralisation programme, announced in December 2003, the development co-operation directorate of the Department of Foreign Affairs, currently based in Dublin, is scheduled to decentralise to Limerick. This will involve the relocation to Limerick of 123 posts and is scheduled to take place during the first...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (6 Oct 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 113 together. The combined contributions from official and private source s in responding to the tsunami catastrophe have placed Ireland among the most generous per capita donor nations worldwide. Within a few hours of the onset of the tsunami, the Government pledged €1 million in emergency assistance and this amount was quickly doubled as the death...