Results 1,741-1,760 of 7,777 for speaker:Joe Costello

Seanad: Humanitarian Situation in Syria, South Sudan and Central African Republic: Statements (30 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: I thank Senators Walsh, Mullen, Quinn, Higgins, Reilly, Burke, Mooney, O'Keeffe and Barrett for their wide-ranging and valuable contributions, questions and comments. There is not a stone that has not been upturned and examined. Many Senators asked how we could raise awareness of the dire crises that are taking place in so many areas. There are three emergencies at the same time in the same...

Seanad: Humanitarian Situation in Syria, South Sudan and Central African Republic: Statements (30 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: I am pleased to be here to begin this very timely debate on the grave situation in Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic. The year 2013 was very challenging for the international community, with three level 3 emergencies, which is the most serious humanitarian crisis designation by the United Nations. They involved two of the countries we are discussing today, Syria and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (28 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: As Deputies will be aware, in October 2012, the Tánaiste and I suspended over €16 million of development assistance which was due to be channelled through Government of Uganda systems, following the discovery of fraud in the Office of the Prime Minister. The Government of Uganda has since refunded in full the €4 million of Irish Aid funds which were misappropriated. ...

Seanad: Recent Severe Storm Damage: Statements (23 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: The sum of €45 million refers to the programme and is part of the larger building programme run by the OPW which is the responsibility of the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes.

Seanad: Recent Severe Storm Damage: Statements (23 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: That is the total moneys. It is for building works and coastal works.

Seanad: Recent Severe Storm Damage: Statements (23 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: Does the Senator mean roads that are not council roads but private ones?

Seanad: Recent Severe Storm Damage: Statements (23 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: The local authorities will produce a report on all private and public roads. They have been asked to produce a report.

Seanad: Recent Severe Storm Damage: Statements (23 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: I outlined the information that I have that they-----

Seanad: Recent Severe Storm Damage: Statements (23 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: The Senator can inform Galway County Council that it is my information that it should submit a report on private and public roads.

Seanad: Recent Severe Storm Damage: Statements (23 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: We were supposed to be making statements today, not a question and answer session. I did not expect to be asked questions. The important thing is that the information I have outlined is the best information that we have up to the present time and this is the manner in which the Government intends to proceed with the issues. We are at the interim stage at present and there will be further...

Seanad: Recent Severe Storm Damage: Statements (23 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: I thank the Senators for their valuable, interesting and informative contributions. I apologise that I might be considered the wrong Minister to reply to the debate but, unfortunately, neither the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Hogan, nor the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Deputy Brian Hayes, could be present. I assure Senators that...

Seanad: Recent Severe Storm Damage: Statements (23 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: During the period from 13 December 2014 to 6 January 2014, Ireland was subjected to a series of severe storms, with storms affecting the country roughly once every three days. In addition to the very strong winds, there were periods of extremely heavy rain and a lot of thunderstorm activity. These storms coincided with high spring tides and created severe and damaging conditions in a...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: I hope they were good.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: If the committee has not been somewhere before me, it will be there after me. It has done good work, for example, its fantastic initiative in going to Iran. This was reflected in the Foreign Minister's complimentary remarks when he spoke with me. The committee has done tremendous work all over Africa. Mention was made of Nigeria and the work done by the ambassador there. That has added...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: As to the Limerick office,-----

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: Let us stick to the Limerick office. We are about to share it with the Department of Social Protection, which is in the process of renovating certain sections of our premises. Obviously, our costs will be substantially reduced.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: I agree with the Chairman regarding the great work being done by our embassies and diplomatic personnel abroad. I also thank the committee members for their constant unanimous support for what Irish Aid is doing. Without that, it would be difficult for us to maintain the level of aid we provide. This year's allocation is approximately €600 million, which is a 4% reduction but,...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (22 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: I welcome this opportunity to present the 2014 Revised Estimate for Vote 27, international co-operation. I will briefly outline our plans for 2014. Vote 27 covers the main elements of the Government’s international development assistance programme, commonly known as Irish Aid. The Vote provides the funding necessary to achieve the second of the Department’s high level goals,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (22 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: I am deeply concerned at the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza which I witnessed firsthand during my visit to the occupied Palestinian territory last October. The situation has deteriorated in recent months due to an acute economic and energy crisis caused by the long standing restrictions on the movement of people and goods from Gaza, but was further exacerbated by the winter storms in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (21 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: The tragic and unrelenting crisis in Syria has resulted in unprecedented levels of humanitarian need, requiring a sustained response from the international community. As the number of fatalities rises towards 130,000, there are now over 9.3 million people who are in need of immediate life-saving support. In addition to more than 6.5 million people who are displaced within Syria, there are...