Pat Cox
Question:77 Mr. Cox asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the percentage of GDP which was given by way of Overseas Development Aid in 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Overseas Development Aid.
Robert Molloy
Question:99 Mr. Molloy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's policy in regard to overseas development aid; if he has satisfied himself with the 1993 budget allocation of 0.20 per cent of GNP compared to the 1986 level of 0.25 per cent of GNP; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Eamon Gilmore
Question:135 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when the UN goal for Overseas Development Aid of 0.7 per cent of GNP will be reached if the increases set out in the Programme for a Partnership Government 1993/1997 are implemented; if, in view of the continuing levels of hunger and famine in many developing countries; he will seek the approval of the Government for an accelerated rate of increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 77, 99 and 135 together.
The Programme for a Partnership Government envisages that the percentage of GNP committed to ODA will increase from 0.2 per cent in 1993 to 0.4 per cent in 1997, so as to make steady progress towards achieving the UN goal of 0.7 per cent of GNP.
I believe that the targets in the Government programme are appropriate, realistic and attainable bearing in mind our own difficult financial circumstances and the need to build up a capacity to implement a rapidly expanding programme.
Like other Members of the House, I would wish to proceed as rapidly as possible towards achieving the UN goal of 0.7 per cent of GNP.
I share the Deputy's concern at the continuing levels of hunger and famine in many developing countries. The increases envisaged in the Programme for Government will put Ireland's contribution to the alleviation of these conditions on a par with most of our EC partners and well on the way towards achieving the UN target of 0.7 per cent.
The final outturn figures for expenditure on ODA as a percentage of GNP in 1992 are not yet available but the estimated figure is 0.16 per cent.
International comparisons of ODA are usually based on GNP but since the GDP figure has also been asked for, I can confirm that expenditure on ODA as a percentage of GDP was approximately 0.14 per cent in 1992.