Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Oct 1993

Vol. 434 No. 3

Written Answers. - Assistance to Eastern Europe.

Austin Deasy

Question:

11 Mr. Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the support, if any, that is being given by Ireland to the newly independent countries of Eastern Europe by way of assistance to aid agencies in terms of finance and personnel and also through practical assistance from Government Departments and State bodies.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

Most of Ireland's assistance to the newly independent countries of Eastern Europe is channelled through multilateral aid programmes such as the PHARE and TACIS programmes of the European Community and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The Department of Foreign Affairs also operates a modest programme of bilateral assistance.

This year £100,000 was allocated for bilateral assistance to Eastern Europe. The money has been disbursed in the form of grants to agencies and companies. Projects assisted ranged from the Polish Business Advisory Service to an ESB International scheme to help the Romanian national electricity company. I will make the full list available to the Deputy.

This year for the first time Ireland agreed with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to set up a fund for use by Irish consultants in Eastern Europe. The Government has provided £80,000 for this fund and the EBRD will use this money to employ Irish consultants.

As far as practical assistance is concerned a number of Government Departments and State bodies has responded positively to requests for assistance. My own Department, for example, has advised the Polish and Latvian Foreign Ministeries on organisation matters and has participated in EC programmes of assistance in what was formerly East Germany.