asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs (i) the job description laid down for personnel employed in the development co-operation offices established by his Department in developing countries in recent years; (ii) the relationship of the offices with (a) the Irish embassy or mission in the countries in question, (b) DEVCO, (c) Córas Tráchtála, and (d) Irish private firms and Irish non-governmental bodies; (iii) the function of the offices in regard to (a) Ireland's bilateral-aid programme, (b) other aspects of Ireland's development co-operation activities and to international development programmes such as the EDF and the World Bank, (c) the development co-operation programmes of other countries, and (iv) if the offices are expected or authorised to fulfil an export promotion role in regard to assisting private or semi-State Irish firms secure business financed by national or international development funds.
Written Answers. - Development Co-operation Offices.
Development co-operation offices have been opened in Maseru (Lesotho) and, more recently, in Dar-esSalaam (Tanzania). It is hoped to open a similar office in Lusaka (Zambia) shortly. The objective of these offices is to promote, supervise and monitor progress of the Irish development co-operation programmes in the countries in which they are located, all of which are priority countries in our bilateral aid programme administered by my Department. Each office is staffed by an officer of my Department.
Ireland does not maintain resident embassies in the countries concerned.
An important function of the Irish development co-operation offices is to maintain liaison with the various Irish bodies mentioned by the Deputy, namely DEVCO (and its member agencies) Córas Tráchtála, Irish private firms and non-governmental bodies involved in the countries concerned, in particular where the bodies in question are involved in projects supported by Irish Government funds.
The development co-operation offices work in close co-operation with the Governments of the host countries as well as with development aid agencies of the Community, of other multilateral institutions (such as EDF or the World Bank) and of other countries, to ensure the most effective Irish participation in the development effort and co-ordination of the various programmes.
Irish bodies wishing to promote trade with the countries in question would receive all possible assistance.