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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Nov 1972

Vol. 263 No. 11

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Aid to Developing Countries.

15.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether at the recent Summit Conference the Government of the Netherlands proposed that each EEC country commit itself to the provision of a specific proportion of GNP on official aid to developing countries; if so, the percentage proposed; and the position the Irish Government took in this matter.

The proceedings of the Summit Conference, other than the opening statements, were confidential. As Deputies are aware from the communiqué, the conference invited the institutions of the Community and the member states to adopt an overall policy of development co-operation on a worldwide scale, including an increase in the volume of official financial aid, but did not propose specific targets for aid as proportions of GNP.

This question will be the subject of Community studies and decisions during 1973.

16.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs how much of the moneys voted by the Dáil for aid to East Pakistan-Bangladesh has been disbursed; the channels to which it was disbursed; and the proportion used to finance work by Irish citizens in the area.

To date a total of £200,000 by way of Supplementary Estimates has been voted for the relief of distress in Bangladesh. These moneys have been disbursed as follows: £35,000 — United Nations Relief Operation in Dacca; £35,000 — United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; £55,000 — UNICEF; £25,000 — Irish Red Cross.

In addition the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries arranged for a special contribution of £50,000 to the world food programme for Bangladesh.

The Government practice has been, and continues to be, to channel relief assistance through the United Nations agencies and the International Red Cross.

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