Results 1,881-1,900 of 7,777 for speaker:Joe Costello

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (16 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 147 together. International election monitoring missions play an important role in the promotion of democracy and human rights. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a roster of observers for election monitoring missions. We aim to ensure that Ireland is represented at an appropriate level in international observation missions for...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Issues (16 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: The Minister for Finance has the lead responsibility in Government for Ireland’s membership of the Asian Development Bank. Ireland joined the Bank in 2006, in line with the Government’s Asia Strategy to increase Ireland’s engagement in Asia. Ireland’s ‘paid-in’ subscription on joining the Bank in 2006 was €8.4 million. Ireland also...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Child Abduction (11 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: I thank the Senator for those supplementary remarks. It is difficult to effect an easy resolution because the country is not party to the Hague Convention and the difficulty dealing with the abducting spouse. A situation of this nature can only be dealt with properly through the courts and that is why the consular assistance service has made available a list of suitable lawyers, which has...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Child Abduction (11 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: I can confirm that the relevant Irish Embassy and the consular assistance section of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin are aware of this case. It involves two children of different fathers. All possible consular assistance is being provided to the respective fathers. On 4 April 2013 the consular assistance section was contacted by the father of the older child who...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (10 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: The Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s aid programme which has been internationally recognised as one of the best in the world. Over the past three years - 2010 to 2012 - Ireland has contributed substantial and stable funding to Official Development Assistance (ODA). In total, in the three years, Ireland has contributed almost €2 billion to ODA, of which about 80%...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Issues (10 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: In 2012 some 160 Irish companies participated in the Africa Ireland Economic Forum, an annual event hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with the objective of supporting Irish companies interested in investing or trading in Africa. The range of interests expressed by Irish companies in Africa varies from agribusiness to financial services and telecommunications. The...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (4 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: The Government remains committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme. Our new Policy on International Development, “One World, One Future”, clearly sets out our vision for a sustainable and just world, and our goals and areas of focus for the coming years. It reaffirms the Government’s commitment to international development and its centrality to our foreign...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (3 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: I thank Deputies for their contributions. Deputy Smith asked about overseas development aid. We have been endeavouring to stabilise the level of overseas development assistance. The Government has been successful in maintaining that assistance despite the difficult economic circumstances. The level of assistance under the previous Government, as Deputy Smith will know, reached the highest...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (3 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: I thank the Chairman. I welcome the opportunity to meet the committee today and present the 2013 Revised Estimates for Vote 27 - International Co-Operation. I will briefly introduce the development programme placed in the context of our new policy, One World, One Future. Vote 27, international co-operation, covers the main element of the Government's development assistance programme. The...

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised) (3 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: The issue of trade with the developing countries is dealt with under the heading, economic partnership agreements, and is not dealt with through the World Trade Organization. Structures are place to deal with this issue and a significant amount of work was done during the Irish Presidency to advance it. The economic partnership agreements, EPAs, were originally established in 2000. Trying...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Election Monitoring Missions (3 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: International election monitoring missions play an important role in the promotion of democracy and human rights. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a roster of observers for election monitoring missions. We aim to ensure that, when requested, Ireland is represented at an appropriate level in international observation missions for both elections and constitutional...

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

Joe Costello: On 27 June 2013, I attended a two day seminar in Dublin entitled Africa's Development Future: land, hope and hunger. The event was organised by AWEPA, the Association of European Parliamentarians with Africa. It sought to promote a dialogue on the roles, responsibilities and efforts of both European and African parliamentarians in developing policies relevant to Africa's development future...

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

Joe Costello: On 27 June 2013, I attended a two day seminar in Dublin entitled Africa's Development Future: land, hope and hunger. The event was organised by AWEPA - the Association of European Parliamentarians with Africa. It sought to promote a dialogue on the roles, responsibilities and efforts of both European and African parliamentarians in developing policies relevant to Africa's development future...

Topical Issue Debate: US Surveillance Activity (2 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: The allegations referred to by the Deputy, if true, are naturally of concern to all EU member states. The European External Action Service, EEAS, of the EU has sought clarification of the situation in Washington and Brussels. The Government also expressed its concerns to the US Embassy in Dublin at a senior official level and looks forward to clarification being provided in response to the...

Topical Issue Debate: US Surveillance Activity (2 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: I agree with the Deputy's remarks in that respect. The Government and the EU responded rapidly to the allegations. I welcome the fact the High Representative immediately sought clarification and that President Obama has stated on record that he will provide "all the information that our allies want". I agree with the Deputy regarding a timeline, in that the sooner this situation is...

Topical Issue Debate: Undocumented Irish in the USA (2 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: I do not think it is my telephone. Earlier versions of the Bill and some amendments sought to make changes to the Jl summer programme. These changes would have included the classification of Jl summer participants as "foreign labourers", thereby imposing heavy additional obligations on their employers and the sponsoring organisations who operate the programme. There was also a proposal...

Topical Issue Debate: Undocumented Irish in the USA (2 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: My understanding is that J1 visas will operate on the same basis, namely, that no employment is required prior to departure to the United States. Furthermore, the Bill now moves on to the House of Representatives and the Government will continue to seek to influence the stakeholders there. The Tánaiste will visit Washington next week and he will meet with key players on Capitol Hill in...

Topical Issue Debate: Undocumented Irish in the USA (2 Jul 2013)

Joe Costello: I also availed of the J1 visa when I was a student and I found it very useful and valuable. We would certainly like to protect it and it should not be undermined in any way. The Government fully supports the valuable opportunity the Jl summer work and travel programme provides for Irish students who wish to work and travel in the United States during the summer period. The participation of...

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

Joe Costello: The tragic crisis unfolding in Syria and in neighbouring countries has resulted in enormous humanitarian needs requiring an urgent response from the international community. As the number of fatalities moves towards 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 million people who are displaced within Syria, there...

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

Joe Costello: Ireland is a long-standing supporter of pro-poor agricultural research in developing countries through our overseas development programme, Irish Aid. I am gratified that the international donor community has now become more aware of the importance of agriculture and agricultural research in enhancing rural livelihoods and reducing poverty. Given the huge contribution that agricultural...