Results 1,781-1,800 of 1,981 for speaker:Conor Lenihan

Written Answers — EU Development Aid: EU Development Aid (28 Apr 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 52 together. I take it that the questions refer to the draft regulation on development co-operation — the development co-operation and economic co-operation instrument — currently being negotiated within the external relations chapter of the EU's Financial Perspective 2007-2013. The allocation criteria for Community development aid is one of the...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (28 Apr 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 139 together. I am aware of the enormity of the challenges facing African nations as they seek to build the foundations of economic and social development, often in a climate of hunger and warfare. The reduction of poverty, hunger and conflict in Africa are, I believe, some of the most important tasks to which the international community can dedicate...

Written Answers — International Bodies: International Bodies (28 Apr 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I welcome the statement by the new president of the World Bank, Paul Wolfowitz, that he will build on his predecessor's legacy in promoting economic growth and social development. Prior to his election, Mr. Wolfowitz travelled to Brussels to meet the European Union Finance Ministers and made clear to them his unreserved commitment to the World Bank's mission of poverty reduction. Following...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (28 Apr 2005)

Conor Lenihan: The Irish bilateral programme of development assistance to Uganda amounts to €32 million in 2005. This budget has remained fairly constant over the past three years. Ireland's development programme in Uganda is focused on poverty reduction and on assisting the poorest section of the population. The UNDP human development index for 2004 puts Uganda at 146 out of 177 countries in the world....

Written Answers — Debt Relief: Debt Relief (28 Apr 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35, 69 and 92 together. I welcome the statement from the recent ministerial meeting of the IMF and the World Bank that further debt relief is needed to secure long-term debt sustainability and support progress towards the millennium development goals. These financial institutions will now examine detailed proposals which would extend beyond the existing highly...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (28 Apr 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 97 together. Ireland attaches the greatest importance to the achievement of the eight millennium development goals, the so-called MDGs. The United Nations Secretary General will conduct the first major review of progress towards the implementation of the goals in September of this year. In preparation for this review, in January the UN Millennium...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (28 Apr 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 79 together. Ireland was one of the first countries to respond to the tsunami disaster by pledging €1 million within the first few hours. This pledge was increased to €10 million when the scale of the disaster became clear. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, visited the affected region in early January. He travelled with the...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (28 Apr 2005)

Conor Lenihan: Ireland's budget for bilateral support to Ethiopia in 2005 is €30 million. This is a small increase on the funding of €29.3 million in 2004. Ethiopia is one of the world's poorest countries. In terms of overall human development, Ethiopia is listed near the bottom of the league at 170 out of 177 countries. Life expectancy is 45.5 years, almost 60% of people are illiterate, two thirds of...

Written Answers — Economic Partnership Agreements: Economic Partnership Agreements (28 Apr 2005)

Conor Lenihan: The economic partnership agreements, EPAs, which are to enter into force by 1 January 2008, are an integral element of the legally binding Cotonou Agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific, ACP, states and the European Union. EPAs are first and foremost instruments for development that will foster the smooth and gradual integration of ACP states into the world economy, with due...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (28 Apr 2005)

Conor Lenihan: The humanitarian situation in Sudan, including Darfur, is of the utmost concern to the Government. The conflict in Darfur has displaced about 1.8 million people during the last two years. Estimates vary but well over 100,000 have died from the conflict, directly or indirectly. I visited Darfur earlier this month. I saw at first hand the intense suffering of many of these vulnerable people....

Written Answers — HIV-AIDS Strategy: HIV-AIDS Strategy (28 Apr 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 142 together. Since its appearance just 20 years ago, HIV-AIDS has spread to all countries across the globe. One in five adults in southern Africa is living with HIV-AIDS, over 50% of whom are women. The disease is also now spreading rapidly in other regions and poses an enormous challenge to reducing poverty and attaining the millennium development...

Overseas Development Aid. (28 Apr 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I assume the Deputy is referring to the global monitoring report, which is subtitled From Consensus to Momentum, prepared by the staff of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Ireland attaches the greatest importance to the achievement of the eight millennium development goals, MDGs. I welcome the analysis in the global monitoring report as a valuable contribution to the...

Overseas Development Aid. (28 Apr 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I obviously disagree with the Deputy's last statement. However, in deference to the fact that he will not have much time to respond to my comments, I will answer his questions seriatim and in a rather quick-fire manner. I clearly do not agree with Deputy O'Donnell because I started the White Paper process. We have had two meetings already, one in Limerick and the other in Waterford. It is a...

Overseas Development Aid. (28 Apr 2005)

Conor Lenihan: There is nothing wrong with consulting the public on an issue as important as that of overseas development aid.

Overseas Development Aid. (28 Apr 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I agree with Deputy Gormley on aid and debt relief. We need to be more involved and I hope that in the next few weeks we will be signalling our financial support for a UK-led initiative in that regard. Thus, indebted countries can be given greater financial assistance to lower their debts and allow them to make economic progress. I agree totally with the request by the 35 NGOs for a...

Overseas Development Aid. (28 Apr 2005)

Conor Lenihan: ——that all developed western countries do so. I am not of the same view as Dóchas on this matter. I want to achieve the target before 2015 and not by 2028.

Overseas Development Aid. (28 Apr 2005)

Conor Lenihan: That is simply incorrect. I never stated that. You have alleged that at the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Overseas Development Aid. (28 Apr 2005)

Conor Lenihan: At that committee I stated it was not the case. I do not know why the Deputy is persisting with this line of questioning.

Overseas Development Aid. (28 Apr 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I never made such an assertion.

Overseas Development Aid. (28 Apr 2005)

Conor Lenihan: I will be very brief. The answer is "No" to all five questions asked by Deputy Allen. There is no point adding anything further. The answer is "No" to the question on the fig leaf, "No" to the question on shielding the Taoiseach, "No" to the question on the issue he raised at the Committee on Foreign Affairs and "No" to the question on the NGOs and capacity.