Results 1,761-1,780 of 7,777 for speaker:Joe Costello

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (15 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: The sudden passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill by the Ugandan Parliament is very regrettable. It is important however to note that this Bill is a Private Members Bill which has attracted serious concerns from senior members of the Government of Uganda, who attempted to stop the Bill’s passage through Parliament. The President will have to sign the Bill before it becomes law. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (15 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest storms ever recorded, hit the Philippines on 8 November with devastating effects. Current estimates indicate that the Typhoon affected more than 14 million people, with almost 4 million remaining displaced, including approximately 1.5 million children. The full human toll of this disaster remains unclear but over 6,000 lives have been lost to date while...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (15 Jan 2014)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87, 94 and 96 together. Significant progress has been made in recent years to improve the scale and effectiveness of the response of the international community to major disasters and humanitarian crises, with many lessons having been learned from previous crises such as the 2004 Tsunami and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Under the leadership of the UN Office...

Water Services (No.2) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Dec 2013)

Joe Costello: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Water Services (No. 2) Bill. I am very disappointed by the grandstanding and childish behaviour we have just seen in seeking attention at the end of term. A grand coalition of opposites is opposed to reforming our outdated water services system. If a protest was to be made, it might have been made on something more appropriate. I am delighted to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (19 Dec 2013)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 72 together. Ireland’s new Policy on International Development ‘One World One Future’ affirms our commitment to poverty reduction and to the centrality of development cooperation to Irish foreign policy. The Policy focuses sharply on the poorest countries and communities in sub-Saharan Africa and on three goals: reducing hunger;...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Expenditure (18 Dec 2013)

Joe Costello: Ireland provides support to post- graduate students from developing countries through a number of initiatives under the Government’s development cooperation programme, which is managed by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The primary initiative is the Fellowship Training Programme, the objective of which is to strengthen the capacity of partner organisations...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Debt Relief (18 Dec 2013)

Joe Costello: Ireland is recognised internationally for our contribution to the fight against global poverty and hunger and our leading role in making international aid more effective. We have played a strong role in the development of an international consensus on the issue of debt cancellation for the least developed countries. When the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were being elaborated in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (18 Dec 2013)

Joe Costello: Ireland has funded programmes of assistance to Palestine for more than two decades reflecting a long-standing commitment to justice for the Palestinian people and to the peaceful development of a viable, sovereign Palestinian State. This funding addresses immediate humanitarian needs, as well as development priorities and the promotion of human rights. The key elements of our programme of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (18 Dec 2013)

Joe Costello: The protracted and tragic 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 120,000, including 12,000 children under five, there are now approximately nine million people in need of immediate life-saving support. In addition to more than 6.5 million people who...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (18 Dec 2013)

Joe Costello: Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest storms ever recorded, hit the Philippines on 8 November with devastating effects. Current estimates indicate that the Typhoon affected more than 14 million people, with almost 4 million remaining displaced, including approximately 1.5 million children. The full human toll of this disaster remains unclear but over 6,000 lives have been lost to date. ...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (12 Dec 2013)

Joe Costello: Ireland’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget for 2013 is €622m, of which €497m is managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under Vote 27 International Co-operation, with the remainder comprising eligible funding by other Government Departments as well as eland’s share of the EU Development Cooperation budget. A full spend against Vote 27 is...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (5 Dec 2013)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 39, 43 and 44 together. The protracted and tragic 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 120,000, including 12, 000 children under five, there are now approximately nine million people who are in need of immediate...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (5 Dec 2013)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 49 together. Last October, during my visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories to see the impact of Ireland’s aid programme, I witnessed firsthand the very difficult conditions on the ground in Gaza. I saw how the ongoing political turmoil and insecurity in the Middle East is resulting in a further deterioration of the humanitarian...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (5 Dec 2013)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together. Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest storms ever recorded, hit the Philippines on 8 November with devastating effect. It is estimated at present that the typhoon affected 14.4 million people, with over 3.6 million remaining displaced, including approximately 1.5 million children. The full human toll of this disaster remains unclear but...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Agencies Staff Remuneration (4 Dec 2013)

Joe Costello: The Government’s international aid programme, Irish Aid, which is managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is recognised internationally for its effectiveness in producing results for the poorest and most vulnerable communities. About a quarter of Ireland’s overseas development assistance is channelled through Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). This reflects...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (3 Dec 2013)

Joe Costello: This Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s aid programme and to its place at the heart of Ireland’s foreign policy. The programme reflects the generosity and values of the Irish people and is a concrete expression of our determination to help those less fortunate than ourselves. Our new policy for International Development “One World, One Future”...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Expenditure (3 Dec 2013)

Joe Costello: This Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s aid programme and to its place at the heart of Ireland’s foreign policy. The programme reflects the generosity and values of the Irish people and is a concrete expression of our determination to help those less fortunate than ourselves. Since 2005, Ireland has contributed over €6.4 billion to Official Development...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Oversight (26 Nov 2013)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 144 together. Mozambique is one of the nine key partner countries for the Government’s development cooperation programme, where we have a commitment to long term strategic assistance. Ireland’s bilateral aid programme to Mozambique is governed by a five year country strategy (2012–16). The goal of the programme is to support...

Topical Issue Debate: Northern Ireland Issues (21 Nov 2013)

Joe Costello: I know all Members of the House will agree these statements offer a timely opportunity to recall the suffering which so many victims and their families endured as a result of violence in Northern Ireland. In recent weeks we have marked painful anniversaries of horrific events, including the Shankill bombing and the murders at Greysteel. A recent publication, Lethal Allies, recalls...

Topical Issue Debate: Northern Ireland Issues (21 Nov 2013)

Joe Costello: The timing of the announcement by the attorney general is indeed very curious in the circumstances Deputy Smith described. I agree with him entirely the needs of the victims and the bereaved are paramount. This has been a difficult year for Northern Ireland. It is clear the past is exercising a corrosive effect on political life and community relations. The ongoing issue of finding...