Results 1-20 of 1,267 for long speaker:Seán Fleming

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: International Protection (30 Apr 2024)

Seán Fleming: ...this scale requires a response of a similar size. In addition to maintaining a supply for the immediate crisis in accommodation for IP applicants, the need exists to provide for a sustainable and long-term response. In this context, on 27 March, the Government approved a new comprehensive accommodation strategy. This strategy aims to provide a stable supply of State-owned...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Defence Forces (30 Apr 2024)

Seán Fleming: ...a strong supporter of the United Nations and peacekeeping. Our commitment and support for the primary role of the UN in the maintenance of international peace and security is expressed in Ireland's long-standing tradition of participating in UN peacekeeping operations. The Senator referred to this and said that up to 100 Irish soldiers have died while working on UN missions over the past...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Humanitarian Aid (23 Apr 2024)

Seán Fleming: ...and effective manner. The Government is providing €12.5 million in core funding for 2024 to UNHCR under a multi-annual agreement. It aims to ensure predictable financing to aid UNHCR in its longer term planning. UNHCR in Algeria works with the most vulnerable refugees in Algeria. Ireland’s engagement with the WFP is led by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (7 Mar 2024)

Seán Fleming: Ireland has been a long-standing supporter of UNRWA and its indispensable role in the provision of essential services for Palestinian refugees. We have been clear that the allegations made in January against a number of UNRWA employees are very serious and need to be investigated thoroughly. We have welcomed the UN's actions to investigate and have stated publicly that Ireland has no...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations (7 Mar 2024)

Seán Fleming: ...are in neighbouring countries. The DRC itself hosts more than half a million refugees. Ireland directly provided over €8 million in assistance to DRC in 2023. Over €4.6 million was allocated to long-term development and humanitarian programmes under Ireland’s Civil Society Partnership Programme, with five partners (Christian Aid Ireland, Concern Worldwide, Oxfam...

Seanad: Situation in Palestine: Motion (21 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: ...UNRWA can continue its work. That is why Ireland has demonstrated clear leadership through its allocation of a further €20 million to UNRWA last week. This additional allocation supplements our ongoing, long-standing financial commitment to UNRWA, which amounted to €18 million in 2023. The overall commitment to the Palestinian people in 2023 was €36 million,...

Seanad: Situation in the Middle East: Statements (Resumed) (20 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: ..., has been supported by UNRWA and other relief agencies. Without that support, there will be a catastrophe. I ask those nations that have suspended funding to immediately reconsider. The people in the Gaza Strip cannot wait longer. The European Commission should also commit to releasing its planned funding for UNRWA on time. Ireland will continue to work with like-minded member states...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (20 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: ...emphasised the importance of the engagement of national and regional organisations in promoting peace and stability. We note the contribution by Angola and Kenya to advancing a peaceful resolution, along with the recent deployment by the Southern African Development Community of a multinational force to eastern DRC. Almost 27 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in...

Recent Developments in Northern Ireland: Statements (14 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: ...political decision taken two weeks ago that enabled representatives from all parties and communities in Northern Ireland to finally be able to take up their democratic mandate. We recognise it is long overdue for the people of Northern Ireland to have their voices heard, and their interests represented but we recognise also that, for some, it was a difficult decision that had to take...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Election Monitoring Missions (14 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: ...Election Observation Roster was established on 1 January 2024 and has 173 members. Short term observers generally spend up to eight days in the country where the election is being held and long term observers can spend up to eight weeks. The number of deployments fluctuates annually, depending on the number of applications received and the selection decisions of the EU and OSCE. ...

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Election Monitoring Missions (14 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: ...the European Union (EU) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Short term observers generally spend up to eight days in the country where the election is being held. Long term observers can spend up to eight weeks. The number of deployments fluctuates annually, depending on the number of applications received and the selection decisions of the EU and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Conservation (8 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: ...time, from application to completion, for upgrades to homes completed in 2023 was just under 20 months. This is a decrease from 26 months for homes completed in 2022. It is definitely a very long timescale but the waiting period has been decreasing since 2023, and we hope there will be further reductions in the waiting times in 2024.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: National Cultural Institutions (8 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Senator for tabling this important matter for discussion here in the Seanad. I am taking it on behalf of the Minister, Catherine Martin, who cannot be with us. The Senator has a long and deep knowledge of the area. It is a matter he has been following for a lengthy period. That is why it is good to have a debate on the matter this morning.Internationally, in recent years,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Social Welfare Eligibility (8 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: ...only performing an act of charity and should not have been penalised for it. I do not know anything about the circumstances of the case. I can understand that the issue probably depends on how long the people were living there. I know that rent was not being charged but it would be important in the case to know how long the people were living there. If it was turned down, I would...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid (7 Feb 2024)

Seán Fleming: Ireland is a long-standing and consistent supporter of the work of UNRWA, which is vital for the welfare of over 2 million people in Gaza. The work of the Agency in providing basic services to the population has never been more important than in the current appalling circumstances. The allegations that 12 members of the 13,000 UNRWA staff in Gaza may have been involved in the horrific...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Ukraine War (25 Jan 2024)

Seán Fleming: ...to Ukraine in the largest and most complex UCPM operation to date. We have also welcomed over 100,000 Ukrainians under the Temporary Protection Directive. Ireland remains committed to supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes. In 2024, we expect to provide over €20 million in humanitarian support alone, with additional funding to be allocated to other development needs, as...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (25 Jan 2024)

Seán Fleming: ...and through the European Union, helping shape the EU’s support for ATMIS, the Somalia security sector, and the operation of relevant EU Common Security and Defence Policy missions. The EU is the main long-term partner of Somalia with significant assistance, amounting to over €4.3 billion since 2009, including €2.5 billion to support ATMIS and its predecessor Mission,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Foreign Conflicts (24 Jan 2024)

Seán Fleming: ...DRC itself hosts more than half a million refugees. Ireland directly provided over €8 million in asssitance in 2023 in response to the situation in DRC. Over €4.6 million has been allocated to long-term development and chronic humanitarian crisis programmes under Ireland’s Civil Society Partnership. Five partners (Christian Aid Ireland, Concern Worldwide, Oxfam...

Investment Funds Trading in the Residential Property Market: Motion [Private Members] (17 Jan 2024)

Seán Fleming: ...were drawn down by first-time buyers alone. That excludes people who were trading up and perhaps moving on from starter homes to larger homes. Over the 12 months to September 2023, this figure was the highest for many a long year. The responses we are taking are achieving results. Do we want more to be done? Yes, we do. Do we want higher targets than we have? Yes, we do. Do we want...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Middle East (5 Dec 2023)

Seán Fleming: ...with the Palestinian Authority. We have called for the opening of negotiations as soon as possible on a full Association Agreement, which would formally be concluded upon Palestinian statehood. Ireland's long-standing development and humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people has been provided as an integral part of our contribution to the achievement of a just, enduring and...