DARRAGH O'BRIEN TD
  • HOME
  • About Darragh
  • News
  • Parliamentary Questions
    • Housing, Planning & Local Government PQ's
    • School PQs
    • Foreign Affairs PQS
    • Oral Questions
  • Newsletters
  • Videos
  • PHOTOS
  • FIANNA FAIL
  • CONTACT
  • DATA Protection Statement

News

Ireland’s capacity to meet ODA target hinges on Govt strategy

25/10/2017

 
              FF pressure secures commitment to adopt roadmap on ODA contribution
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Darragh O’Brien TD has welcomed a commitment given by Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, to develop a strategy towards achieving the UN target on Overseas Development Assistance.


Each year, Ireland as one of the 35 OECD member countries is expected to contribute a minimum net amount of 0.7% of its GNP.


O’Brien commented, “Ireland has a long and proud reputation among low income and marginalised countries. Our assistance in supporting these countries in terms of long term development and in responding to humanitarian crises is well known and well regarded.


“We have a moral obligation to support the world’s poorest people and contribute our share towards the UN’s target for international aid spending.


“In recent years rather than move closer to achieving this target Ireland has fallen further behind. Despite the fact this Government has committed to reaching a 0.7% target, the reality is that we remain very far off.


“The current ODA/GNP percentage is in the region of 0.3%, considerably less than 0.59% which was reached in 2008 when my party was in Government.


“I have been consistent in calling for a roadmap to be established that will set out how Ireland will reach its commitment of 0.7% ODA/GNP target. I am glad that the Government have finally committed to this.


“In order to allow our INGO’s to plan ahead and expand opportunity, a multi-annual funding framework must be outlined as part of this strategy.


“It is therefore crucial that the Government work in tandem with the INGO sector and parties across the political spectrum to ensure that we meet this target in an achievable and realistic timeframe.


“Ireland acted as a co-facilitator in the intergovernmental negotiations on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to forge new international commitments in a range of areas. My primary concern is that for new ones to be credible existing commitments must be met and a strategy is undoubtedly needed to achieve that.


He concluded, “Consequently, this strategy is important not only for low income countries that rely on Irish ODA, but also for protecting our long standing reputation among major world donors.”


Fingal County Council invites submissions for plans of Sutton to Malahide Cycleway

20/10/2017

 
​Fingal County Council and the National Transport Authority are preparing an infrastructure scheme for the Sutton to Malahide Cycleway and invite Fingal residents to enter submissions and observations of the plans.
The proposed route continues northwards from the existing Sutton to Sandycove cycle lane via Sutton Cross to Baldoyle and Portmarnock to Malahide.
The deadline for the submission is October 31 and these can be made online at: https://consult.fingal.ie/en/browse
Submissions and observations can also be made in writing to:
Paul Keane
Executive Engineer

Statement from FF Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Trade on Ibrahim release

20/10/2017

 
​Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Darragh O’Brien TD has welcomed the release of Irish citizen Ibrahim Halawa from Egyptian prison late last night.


Commenting on his release O’Brien said, “I and my colleagues in Fianna Fáil are relieved and delighted to learn of Ibrahim’s release from prison.


“As part of a cross-party delegation, I had the opportunity to visit Ibrahim in prison some months ago and I am glad that this long, challenging and arduous journey for Ibrahim and his family has finally come to an end.


“Ibrahim’s family, friends and particularly his sisters tirelessly campaigned for his release and we must now ensure that Ibrahim is returned to Ireland as soon as feasibly possible so he can be reunited with his loved ones.


“I very much commend the work of the Ambassador and his team in the Embassy in Cairo, together with the magnificent efforts of our diplomatic staff here in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.


He concluded, “I look forward to his return to Dublin in the coming days.”


Ard Fheis Speech 2017

17/10/2017

 

Metro North re-announcement the latest example of Govt spin

12/10/2017

 
             Countless announcements yet no action by the same party that
​                                          scrapped shovel ready plans 

Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Fingal, Darragh O’Brien has said that the latest announcement to develop the long- promised Metro North is yet another example of a Government that is focused on spin over delivery.


It is now believed that construction work on Metro North will begin in 2021 and be operational by 2027.


O’Brien said, “The transport link to the airport and on to Swords, which was originally launched by Fianna Fáil and scrapped by Fine Gael in 2012 is absolutely essential for our ever-growing city and county particularly as the traffic gridlock continues to increase.


“Fine Gael and Labour let down the people in this region when they broke their firm promise to deliver on the Metro during the last election. At that time Metro North had a comprehensive business analysis, planning permission and a Railway Order, with a capacity of 20,000 passengers per hour; Metro North was ready to begin development.


“Even after announcing a scaled back version which included changes to the proposed route, it is yet to go through the planning process.


“Despite being announced time and time again, there has been absolutely no action over the past five years to deliver on the Metro North project. It's hypocritical to re announce a project with no map for delivery.



“If this Government was serious about the Metro North project, there would be more action and a lesser interest in public relations.It is time now to get on with building the transport link.

“Sadly, the people of North Dublin have little faith in the repeated broken promises offered by Government in relation to public transport.


“It is difficult to see how the latest announcement is nothing more than another one for the list,” added O’Brien.

Cleaner Communities Competition highlights community effort to keep Fingal clean

12/10/2017

 
        Swords Tidy Towns Committee clean up at annual litter awards
​
Local Fianna Fáil TD, Darragh O’Brien has praised the efforts of each of the Tidy Towns committees, residents, businesses and community groups across North County Dublin that participated in this year’s Cleaner Communities Awards.


Earlier this week, Swords Tidy Towns Committee was named Overall Winner over the competition at a ceremony held in the Carlton Hotel, Dublin Airport.
 
Skerries Tidy Town Committee and Rush Committee Centre also won awards.


Commenting on the news O'Brien said, “The annual Fingal Cleaner Communities Competition which is supported by Fingal County Council engenders a wonderful community spirit while helping to maintain the stunning landscape in the north county.


“The exceptional standard of participants in this year’s competition contribute to the on-going co-ordinated effort to keep Fingal clean and charming for not only local residents but for those visiting the area.


"It's important too to acknowledge the invaluable contribution that all of the Tidy Towns committee's in Dublin Fingal make to our locality. Without their voluntary support, the environment in Fingal could not be in the same good condition.


“Everyone who took part should be immensely proud,” concluded Deputy O’Brien.


<<Previous
    Picture

    NEWS

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015

Darragh O'Brien TD


Address

Darragh O'Brien TD
Leinster House
Kildare Street
Dublin 2

Telephone

T:  01-6183802

Email

For all constituency related queries please don’t hesitate to contact:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01-6183802
Postal Address: Dáil Éireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

For all Department of Climate, Environment and Energy related queries please don't hesitate to contact:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01-6782000
Postal Address: Tom Johnson House, Haddington Road, Dublin 4, D04 K7X4.
Website: www.gov.ie/decc/

For  all Department of Transport related queries please don't hesitate to contact:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01-6041062
Postal Address: Department of Transport, Leeson Lane, Dublin 2, D02 TR60.
Website:
www.gov.ie/transport/
 




  • HOME
  • About Darragh
  • News
  • Parliamentary Questions
    • Housing, Planning & Local Government PQ's
    • School PQs
    • Foreign Affairs PQS
    • Oral Questions
  • Newsletters
  • Videos
  • PHOTOS
  • FIANNA FAIL
  • CONTACT
  • DATA Protection Statement