Results 441-460 of 3,353 for speaker:Joe Costello in 'Written Answers'

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (10 May 2012)

Joe Costello: My Department, through our aid programme known as Irish Aid, provides funding to a number of key multilateral agencies whose policies and priorities align well with those of Irish Aid in the fight against global hunger, poverty alleviation and emergency response. While the precise percentages differ from year to year, on average approximately 30% of the development programme is delivered...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (10 May 2012)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 43 together. Ireland's development assistance programme, which is administered by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has been recognised consistently by independent observers as one of the most effective in the world. It is focused on the fight against poverty and hunger in the poorest countries and communities, working in...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (9 May 2012)

Joe Costello: In recent years approximately 80% of Ireland's Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget has been allocated to Vote 27 – International Cooperation which is managed by my Department through its external delivery vehicle, Irish Aid. The remaining 20% is accounted for through ODA eligible contributions by other Government Departments and Ireland's share of the EU Development Cooperation...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (24 Apr 2012)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 to 196, inclusive, together. Uganda is one of the nine priority countries for the Government's aid programme, where we have a commitment to long term strategic assistance. It is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranked 161 out of 187 in the 2011 United Nations Human Development Index. Irish Aid has been working in Uganda since 1994 and has made a...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (18 Apr 2012)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 to 55, inclusive, together. Uganda and Malawi are two of the nine priority countries for the Government's aid programme, where we have a commitment to long term strategic assistance. They are among the poorest countries in the world, both ranked in the bottom 10% in the 2011 United Nations Human Development Index. Irish Aid has been working in Uganda since...

Written Answers — Election Monitoring: Election Monitoring (18 Apr 2012)

Joe Costello: 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 elections and constitutional referendums. Irish observers participate primarily in missions organised by the European Union and the Organisation for...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (18 Apr 2012)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 71 together. The Government believes that international election monitoring missions have an important role to play in the promotion of human rights and democracy, and 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...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (18 Apr 2012)

Joe Costello: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 80 together. Ireland's aid programme prioritises the fight against global poverty and hunger, with a particular focus on the world poorest countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The programme is central to our foreign policy, enjoys strong cross-party and public support and reflects the values of the Irish people, and our long term interests globally....

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (22 Mar 2012)

Joe Costello: The Government believes that international election monitoring missions have an important role to play in the promotion of human rights and democracy. Irish Aid in 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...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (21 Mar 2012)

Joe Costello: Ethiopia is one of nine Programme Countries for Ireland's aid programme, where we have a commitment to long-term strategic assistance. I visited Ethiopia in January to assess the impact of the programme on the lives of some of the poorest communities, and also to meet African leaders attending the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa. I had the opportunity during my visit to see in operation...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (28 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: I am visiting Malawi this week in order to see the impact of Ireland's development programme in the country, which is strongly focused on the areas of hunger and nutrition. I will also hold a number of meetings and consultations as part of the ongoing review of the White Paper on Irish Aid. During the visit I will meet with Ministers and senior officials of the Government of Malawi, as...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (28 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: All Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) which receive funding from Irish Aid to support their work in developing countries are required to submit annual, externally audited accounts, and to publish these audited accounts on their organisational website. These audited accounts include details on the salary levels paid to senior staff, including chief executives and senior officials. As part...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (28 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: The overarching objective of Ireland's aid programme is to contribute to the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger in the world. To ensure that our assistance is effectively delivered to those most in need in developing countries, we work in partnership with Governments, local communities, NGOs, and key multilateral partners such as the United Nations and European Union. Our aid...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (23 Feb 2012)

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 overseas development programme, and to the Government's development policy. On a global level,...

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (23 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: Ireland has a strong and internationally recognised development cooperation programme. This year we are delivering €639 million in Official Development Assistance (ODA) to improve lives in some of the world's poorest communities. This commitment to international development cooperation is central to our foreign policy and strongly reflects the values of the Irish people. The Government...

Written Answers — Diplomatic Representation: Diplomatic Representation (22 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: Ireland's Embassy in Malawi was established in 2007. The opening of the Embassy coincided with the decision to designate Malawi as a priority country for the aid programme, with a commitment to the provision of long term strategic assistance. The table below sets out the annual funding levels for the aid programme in Malawi since 2008. It also provides information on the number of Irish...

Written Answers — Humanitarian Aid: Humanitarian Aid (21 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: Across the Sahel region of western Africa, a combination of drought, high grain prices, environmental degradation and chronic underdevelopment is expected to plunge millions of people into a new food crisis this year. Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Chad, northern Cameroon and northern Nigeria are all likely to be affected. The UN is reporting that there are already an...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (21 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: The aim of the current Review of the 2006 White Paper on Irish Aid is to examine the changing context for our aid programme, at home and globally, and to learn from what works best in delivering real results for poor people on the ground. The Review will set out clear priorities for the aid programme over the coming years. I have recently launched a wide consultation process for the Review,...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (21 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: The issue of addressing conflict, including its causes and the resulting humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa, has been the subject of recent discussion and decisions at both the European Union (EU) and United Nations (UN) levels. Addressing the many problems faced by the region remains a huge challenge given the issues of piracy off the coast of Somalia, the displacement of several...

Written Answers — Overseas Development Aid: Overseas Development Aid (21 Feb 2012)

Joe Costello: On 12 January 2010, Haiti was struck by one of the most devastating earthquakes in recent history, causing approximately 230,000 deaths and 300,000 injuries. The earthquake destroyed much of Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas, left about 1.5 million people homeless and caused losses and damage estimated at approximately €5.9 billion. Given the scale of the death and destruction...