Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 4 Nov 1992

Vol. 424 No. 9

Written Answers. - Overseas Development Aid.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

8 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his intentions in relation to increasing Ireland's contribution to Overseas Development Aid; when such aid will achieve the United Nation's target; and his attitude towards increasing Irish bilateral aid.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

36 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in regard to the comments made by the Minister of State at his Department on the occasion of the publication of the 1991 report on Overseas Development Aid, when he will be in a position to announce details of the promised substantial increase in the level of aid; if the recent submission on this matter by Trócaire has been considered; and his views on the organisation's recommendation that the level of aid should be restored immediately to the 1986 level of 0.25 per cent of GNP and then increased by 0.05 per cent of GNP each year until the UN target figure is reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dick Spring

Question:

44 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will elaborate on the references in the Taoiseach's speech in Bodenstown, County Kildare to the question of overseas development aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 8, 36 and 44 together.

I have made it clear, in this House and elsewhere, that I believe that the level of Ireland's Official Development Assistance must be increased. My visits to Somalia have reinforced that view.

The capacity of a small country like Ireland to make an impact on the poorer countries' needs is limited but that must not prevent us from responding generously. The Irish people have given magnificent support to the Aid Agencies and it is my belief that the Government should also be generous.

Deputies will have noted that the Taoiseach, in his Bodenstown speech, indicated that he has decided to review the level of Official Development Assistance given by Ireland, recognising a general wish that it should be increased to reflect the strong sense of solidarity and of moral obligation that we feel towards those in the developing world. The Taoiseach pledged that from next year the Government would gradually begin to raise the level of Official Development Assistance, and would hope to be able to proceed somewhat faster thereafter, as general economic and financial conditions improve.

The projected figures for expenditure on ODA in 1993 will be announced at the time of publication of the Book of Estimates.

I have read the recent submission by Trócaire on the Official Development Assistance Programme with interest. It contains a range of recommendations which I will consider carefully. I cannot at this stage commit the Government to meeting the specific targets for expenditure on ODA recommended by Trócaire but I can repeat that it is the Government's intention that the level of ODA be raised next year and thereafter.