Results 241-260 of 3,356 for speaker:Joe Costello in 'Written Answers'

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...

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...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: HIV-AIDS Programmes (1 Oct 2013)

Joe Costello: The Government's new Policy on International Development One World One Future, which sets out our development aid commitments, was published in May. Addressing HIV/AIDS is one of those commitments. The Policy also sets out the main strategic areas for intervention under each commitment, which include investment at global, regional and country level for more effective prevention of HIV and...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Millenium Development Goals (26 Sep 2013)

Joe Costello: The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were agreed by world leaders at the United Nations in 2000 as the framework for international development policy up to 2015. They provide a clearly measurable way to track progress in the fight against global poverty. The Goals are central to Ireland’s development programme, and to our renewed policy on International Development, “One...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Provision (26 Sep 2013)

Joe Costello: The tragic crisis unfolding in Syria and in neighbouring countries has resulted in enormous humanitarian needs, requiring an urgent and sustained 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 million people who are displaced within...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: HIV-AIDS Programmes (24 Sep 2013)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 155 together. ESTHER Ireland initiative is an innovative programme that links Irish healthcare institutions with counterparts in the developing world. The initiative, which I launched in July of this year, is managed through a partnership between the Health Service Executive (HSE) and Irish Aid. It forms part of a wider European alliance of hospitals...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Millenium Development Goals (18 Sep 2013)

Joe Costello: The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were agreed by world leaders at the United Nations in 2000 as the framework for international development policy up to 2015. They provide a clearly measurable way to track progress in the fight against global poverty. The Goals are central to Ireland’s development programme, and to our renewed policy on International Development, “One...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: United Nations Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Joe Costello: Through the aid programme, the Government has provided funding to the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which is based in Vienna, in support of its mandate to assist Member States in their efforts to fight illicit drugs, crime and terrorism. Ireland’s support has included funding for the UNODC programme to restrict the flow of opiates from Afghanistan and Pakistan,...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Departmental Funding (18 Sep 2013)

Joe Costello: The Government’s aid programme, which is managed by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is sharply focused on the fight against global poverty and hunger, particularly in sub Saharan Africa. Our partnership with Non-Governmental Organisations represents a very important element in this effort. Funding for small to medium-sized development projects is primarily...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Rapid Response Initiative (18 Sep 2013)

Joe Costello: Ireland’s Rapid Response Corps is made up of highly-skilled experts who can be deployed at short notice to assist in emergency relief efforts in different parts of the world. When deployed, Corps members primarily fill specific skills gaps identified by four UN standby partner organisations: the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR); the World Food Programme (WFP); the United Nations...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Joe Costello: Malawi is one of the nine key Partner Countries for the Government's Development Cooperation Programme, where we have a commitment to long term strategic assistance. Through our Malawi Programme Ireland supported the Department of Nutrition, HIV and AIDS to host the Joint Nutrition review which was held from the 5th-7th of August 2013. This was the first such joint review bringing together...

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Overseas Development Aid Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 100 together. The Government is firmly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme. This commitment was strengthened 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 Provision (18 Sep 2013)

Joe Costello: Egypt is not a priority country for the Government’s aid programme, managed by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. However, we have provided funding in recent years to organisations working in Egypt on initiatives to promote human rights and good governance. Funding since 2007 has included a total of €500,000 in 2011 and 2012 to support the...