Results 1,781-1,800 of 7,777 for speaker:Joe Costello

Government Decision on Exiting Programme of Financial Support: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2013)

Joe Costello: As was the case when the troika was first brought in.

Youth Employment: Motion [Private Members] (19 Nov 2013)

Joe Costello: So did God. There is no five-day week for the Minister.

Youth Employment: Motion [Private Members] (19 Nov 2013)

Joe Costello: That proposal was made last year.

Other Questions: Nuclear Proliferation (19 Nov 2013)

Joe Costello: The Minister has had discussions with the French authorities on this matter. The possibility of a parliamentary visit is a matter on which the Oireachtas must decide. A high-level group from the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament has visited Iran. If the Deputy wishes to seek informal advice from my Department on this matter, the officials there...

Other Questions: Nuclear Proliferation (19 Nov 2013)

Joe Costello: The Minister had a bilateral meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister, Mr. Zarif, at the United Nations General Assembly on 26 September last. They discussed a range of matters including the nuclear issue, sanctions, Syria, human rights and bilateral relations. The good news for Ireland is that Iran has agreed to remove the long-standing restrictions on beef exports from Ireland. This...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Issues (19 Nov 2013)

Joe Costello: Israel is not allowing access through the natural hinterland for Gaza through to Israel and the West Bank. As I said in my reply, we have constantly raised these issues with Israel. They are not security issues. Security measures can be put in place. These are restrictions on a population of 1.2 million, 800,000 of whom are reliant on American Near East Refugee Aid, ANERA, for essential...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Issues (19 Nov 2013)

Joe Costello: We raise these issues regularly at every level.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Issues (19 Nov 2013)

Joe Costello: Ireland acts in conjunction with the EU on sanctions. We have already made a strong stand on the guidelines and that has had an impact on the peace talks. In the context of what is happening, peace talks are under way and we hope that some progress will be made in that area. Meanwhile we will continue to raise the issue at the levels we can, including the EU and our position on the Human...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Issues (19 Nov 2013)

Joe Costello: It is not the only time we care about the people of Gaza. We are concerned about the situation there all the time. Amid the turmoil in the Middle East, it remains essential to keep a focus on the unacceptable and unsustainable conditions in Gaza which I visited last month as part of a visit to view the Irish Aid programme in the occupied Palestinian territories to see what conditions were...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Middle East Issues (19 Nov 2013)

Joe Costello: I replied to the Deputy on the issues that he has raised again. I agree that the situation is getting progressively worse. For a considerable time essential supplies for Gaza could be moved through tunnels on the Egyptian side. Since the overthrow of the Morsi Government in Egypt, 85% of these tunnels have been closed which has meant food, medicines, building materials, water and other...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Biofuel Obligation Scheme Targets (19 Nov 2013)

Joe Costello: What I said was that during our Presidency we had fought hard to make the Commission's amendment, namely, a rate of 5%. We failed to obtain agreement at that point. We would like to achieve the lowest possible level, but at this point there is very substantial disagreement among member states, particularly Poland and eastern European states, which want a higher level. Many of them want no...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Biofuel Obligation Scheme Targets (19 Nov 2013)

Joe Costello: The current position is that the cap is 10%. It is an amended position put forward in 2012. The Deputy should not forget that the original position in 2009 meant a cap of 10%. That will remain the position, unless we make an amendment securing a reduction. It is a question of working towards the best cap we can get and continuing with that work. We fought hard during our Presidency for a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Biofuel Obligation Scheme Targets (19 Nov 2013)

Joe Costello: My colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, has lead responsibility for Government policy on biofuels. By 2020, 10% of energy used in transport must come from renewable sources, according to the 2009 renewable energy directive. In October 2012, the Commission proposed amendments to mitigate the potential negative effects occurring as a result of the use of...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (19 Nov 2013)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 136 to 138, inclusive, together. Current estimates indicate that Typhoon Haiyan has affected 13 million people across 41 provinces (representing over 10% of the country’s population), with up to 4 million people displaced. Official estimates indicate that at least 3,600 lives have been lost. However, it is likely that the full picture of the...

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

Joe Costello: The Government is strongly committed to Ireland's overseas aid programme and to its place at the heart of Irish foreign policy. The programme reflects the values and generosity of spirit of the Irish people and is a concrete expression of our determination to help those less fortunate than ourselves. Our new policy on international development - One World, One Future - maintains the...

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

Joe Costello: The protracted and tragic crisis in Syria and in neighbouring countries has resulted in unprecedented levels of humanitarian need, requiring a sustained and urgent response from the international community. As the number of fatalities moves towards 120,000, there are now approximately 9 million people who are in need of immediate life saving support. In addition to more than 6.5 million...

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

Joe Costello: Under Ireland's new policy for International Development – One World, One Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that economic development is compatible with human rights, including the right to decent work and our engagement in this area will be informed by, among other international standards, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Ireland has been a...

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

Joe Costello: Irish Aid works on behalf of the Irish people to address poverty and hunger in some of the poorest countries in the world. Support to children and young people is an integral part of Irish Aid’s focus, and is mainstreamed especially through our health and education programmes. Support to our hunger programmes, which accounts for twenty per cent of the Overseas Development...

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

Joe Costello: Ireland, along with our EU Partners, pursues a strategic and comprehensive approach to countries in Africa suffering the consequences of conflict or natural disaster. This approach encompasses political and diplomatic engagement, development cooperation programming, humanitarian assistance, and support for peacekeeping operations. The progress in African countries, particularly those...

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

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 140, 147 and 155 together. As Minister of State with responsibility for Ireland’s Official Development Assistance, I am very conscious of the need to have a high level of assurance that our development assistance is fully accountable and that it makes a real difference to the lives of the world’s poorest people, reaches those most in need and...