Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Jan 1995

Vol. 447 No. 11

Written Answers. - EU Commission President.

Ray Burke

Question:

41 Mr. R. Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his proposed input into the new EU Commission President's stated policy that the Union will play an active and leading role in development co-operation and humanitarian aid. [1438/95]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

In his address to the European Parliament on 17 January, Commission President Jacques Santer said that the European Union would continue to play its major role in development co-operation and humanitarian aid so as to contribute to peace and security in the world. He went on to mention the new chapter on development co-operation in the Maastricht Treaty on European Union.

It is my strong hope that the entry into force of the Treaty on European Union will lead to a more effective and coherent approach to development co-operation on the part of the European Union. The EU is one of the largest aid donors in the world and it is imperative that the effectiveness of its actions be maximised.

The Council has adopted comprehensive Resolutions on issues such as poverty, health, education and training in developing countries. These are matters which are important not only for the EU but for bilateral aid programmes. Another priority area at present being addressed in the context of preparations for the Beijing Conference on Women is gender and the particular needs and rights of women in developing countries.

The policy framework is largely in place; what is required is that the policies be fully implemented. I regard it as an important objective that Ireland should seek to ensure that the European Union plays a leading role in development co-operation and humanitarian aid. I shall be directing Irish input with a view to achieving this objective. In particular, duplication in the field of development between the Commission and the member states must be avoided. Our multilateral and bilateral efforts must be mutually reinforcing for the benefit of the developing world. We must also ensure that there is consistency between the Union's development policy and those other policies, especially in the areas of access to markets, which might affect developing countries.

Ireland has played a constructive role, along with our partners, in formulating EU development policies. We do so through discussion at ministerial level and, at official level, in the various EU working groups. We will continue to play our part fully.