I take the Minister's point about the whole question of seeking efficiency, administrative costs and so on. Within the various organisations receiving this aid, in this case the International Development Association, what provisions are made for audit and do those audit requirements include value for money audits, efficiency, effectiveness and economy? Have we been pro-active in pushing for audits of that kind for the funds we are providing?
International Development Association (Amendment) Bill, 1993: Committee and Final Stages.
Section 1 agreed to.
SECTION 2.
Question proposed: "That section 2 stand part of the Bill."
In my reply I outlined the ambit of the organisation. Vast sums of money are involved and no country, not even the wealthiest, can afford to provide large sums without first making sure that the procedures are followed. Earlier this year governments took strong action against some banks. We have raised this point and I am confident, even if the procedures are not as strict as we would like them to be, that it is understood that this is public money and that there is control. In some cases money is provided by the commercial banks.
The Minister has assured us that under the IDA 10 regime there will be greater openness, that they will be committed to eliminating poverty in consultation with the local populations and that funds will be targeted at certain projects, especially those that will allow the poor greater access to productive assets. What guarantees were sought in the IDA 10 negotiations to ensure that this will happen? We fear that this is more aspirational than real. Can the Minister assure us that it will happen. It did not happen under IDA 8 or 9.
The point was well made during the course of the debate that it is important that these resources are targeted at people in need, that the highest priority is given to water and sanitation and education projects and that efforts are made to eliminate problems in urban areas and to relieve the difficulties caused for women which have been highlighted in successive reports. At the meetings last week and during the negotiations in 1992 and earlier this year people were determined to ensure that whatever resources were made available would be targeted at those in need, not at the administrative area. I have no doubt that this is the wish not only of the association itself but also of those who provide the resources.
Earlier I replied to the points raised by Deputy Dukes about the environment. Last week at the meeting of the World Bank speaker after speaker emphasised its importance and mentioned that the resources allocated for this purpose benefit not only the people in those regions but the rest of us as well. Greater emphasis is being put on the environment than in the past.
Question put and agreed to.
Title agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment.
I move: "That the Bill do now pass."
I thank members of the Opposition parties for their co-operation and assistance in passing all Stages of the Bill today.
Question put and agreed to.
As this is a certified money Bill, in accordance with Article 22 of the Constitution, it will be sent to the Seanad.