Results 1,841-1,860 of 7,777 for speaker:Joe Costello

Other Questions: Humanitarian Aid (2 Oct 2013)

Joe Costello: I thank the Deputy for the questions. As he can understand, in a war situation, particularly in a civil war situation, it is never easy for humanitarian aid to get to all of the areas affected. We operate largely with the United Nations and with the Red Cross-Red Crescent - these are the bodies that have the greatest access - and also with the refugees on the borders with the neighbouring...

Other Questions: Humanitarian Aid (2 Oct 2013)

Joe Costello: I thank the Deputies for all those questions. This is an incredible disaster. The United Nations has deemed it to be the largest ever humanitarian disaster in which it has been involved. One third of the population is either displaced within Syria or refugees. That indicates the extent of it. The estimate of €5.2 billion required in 2013 alone is colossal. On naming and shaming...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (2 Oct 2013)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 17 and 54 together. The Government is committed to Ireland's overseas aid programme. This commitment was expressed and enhanced by the publication earlier this year of our new Policy on International Development, “One World, One Future”, which clearly sets out our vision for a sustainable and just world, and our goals and areas of focus for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Issues (2 Oct 2013)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 76 together. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), is a member of the World Bank Group, and is the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector in developing countries. The private sector, as an engine of growth, innovation and investment to developing countries, has a major role to play in development....

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Issues (2 Oct 2013)

Joe Costello: I am aware of the “World Bank - IMF Watch 2013” report from Debt and Development Coalition Ireland, a grouping of Irish development NGOs which has focused on the burden of debt on developing countries and on issues of resource mobilisation for development. Ireland has played a strong role internationally in addressing the alleviation of the debt burden on the poorest...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Issues (2 Oct 2013)

Joe Costello: Consistent with Ireland’s international reputation for the quality of its overseas development programme, the Government is committed to ensuring that all information related to official aid flows is published in a standardised comparable and open format. We are committed to the implementation of the Busan Partnership for Global Development, one of the commitments of which is to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (2 Oct 2013)

Joe Costello: Maternal and child malnutrition is a scourge in our world. Under-nutrition causes the deaths of over 3 million children every year and 165 million children under five years of age suffer from stunting and lack the nutrients they need to develop their full potential. Combating global hunger and under-nutrition is a key pillar of our foreign policy and our overseas development assistance...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Syrian Conflict (2 Oct 2013)

Joe Costello: The conflict in Syria has resulted in a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented scale. Flagrant violations of International Humanitarian Law and widespread human rights abuses have tragically become the norm inside Syria, with the lack of protection afforded to civilians being of huge concern. The number of fatalities is now in excess of 100,000 and there are currently almost 7 million people in...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (2 Oct 2013)

Joe Costello: In July, I announced €2 million in funding to provide access to life-saving food, shelter, basic health care and water for very vulnerable conflict-affected communities in Sudan and South Sudan. Some 8.5 million people are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance in both countries. Ongoing conflict has forced people to flee their homes and has denied them access to essential services,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (2 Oct 2013)

Joe Costello: The Programme for Government set out the Government’s desire to position Shannon Airport as an international hub for the storage and distribution of EU and UN emergency humanitarian supplies. Following consultations with the airport management and other local stakeholders, a full-scale feasibility study of the proposal was initiated in 2012, with the specific aim of providing an...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Human Rights Issues (2 Oct 2013)

Joe Costello: I can assure the Deputy that I am aware of and am very concerned at the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Sombath Somphone. Ireland’s diplomatic relations with Laos are maintained on a secondary accreditation basis from our Embassy in Hanoi. I have instructed the Ambassador to monitor the situation closely and to use every possible opportunity to convey my concerns to...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Millenium Development Goals (2 Oct 2013)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 73 together. Ireland has been playing a very significant international role in the process to negotiate and agree a new framework for global development after 2015, the target date for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It was a major achievement of our EU Presidency in the first half of this year to secure agreement on an integrated EU...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (2 Oct 2013)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 57 together. The tragic crisis unfolding in Syria and in neighbouring countries has resulted in enormous humanitarian needs requiring an urgent response from the international community. With the number of fatalities surpassing 100,000, there are now close to 7 million people who are in need of immediate life saving support. In addition to more than 4...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Issues (2 Oct 2013)

Joe Costello: Last May, the Government launched Ireland's new development policy “One World, One Future” setting out the vision, goals and priorities for our overseas aid programme over the coming four years. The new policy, which was published following a very extensive public consultation process, reaffirms Ireland's strong support for multilateral efforts, recognising that global...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Issues (2 Oct 2013)

Joe Costello: In 2012, over € 33 million of Irish Aid programme funding was directed to actions to address the impact of climate change on developing countries. The Government's new policy for international development, 'One World, One Future' , recognises that the majority of the world's poor are directly reliant on the environment for their survival. We aim to meet our commitments to reducing...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (2 Oct 2013)

Joe Costello: Last month, I announced €700,000 in funding to provide life-saving emergency assistance to refugees and internally displaced persons in Mali and to support ongoing efforts by the international community to respond to the crisis and support the recovery process in the country. €500,000 of this funding has been provided to the World Food Programme (WFP), the lead agency for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (2 Oct 2013)

Joe Costello: The recruitment, use and abuse of child soldiers continues to be a serious problem and a matter of grave concern to Ireland and indeed the international community. The involvement of child soldiers has been reported in most recent armed conflicts and in almost every region of the world over the last two decades. Each year, the United Nations Secretary-General issues a report on children and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Issues (2 Oct 2013)

Joe Costello: 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 reaches its intended beneficiaries and that it makes a real difference in the lives of the poorest people. To ensure that our assistance is effectively delivered to those most in need in developing...

Mortgage Restructuring Arrangement Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (1 Oct 2013)

Joe Costello: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Mortgage Restructuring Arrangement Bill. I compliment Deputy Collins on producing the Bill and introducing it to the House in order that we can debate the issue. Mortgage arrears are one of the most significant problems that continue to face thousands of people in this country. We must make every effort to help people in mortgage distress in order...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Climate Change Policy (1 Oct 2013)

Joe Costello: I have noted with interest Oxfam's very informative Issue Briefing, 'Growing Disruption: Climate Change, Food and the Fight against Hunger'. Ireland's new policy for international development, 'One World, One Future' , recognises the inextricable link between climate change, development and our ability to tackle global hunger. We have prioritised global hunger and climate change in the...