Vol. 455 No. 1
49 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department recognises the right of developing countries to take measures that will permit them to develop and diversify their economies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11785/95]
Ireland fully supports the right to development as a universal and inalienable right and an integral part of fundamental human rights, in accordance with the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action of June 1993. The principle of the right to development was reaffirmed at the World Summit for Social Development at Copenhagen in March 1995.
The Government very much holds the views that developing countries should be free to decide on the best way to develop and diversify their economies, with the objective of achieving sustainable development. At present, the economies of many developing countries are dependent on a small number of primary commodities. Any measures which would permit them to diversify their range of products would be beneficial to their development. To achieve such diversification, investment is crucial as is improved access to markets of developed countries. The Government supports efforts aimed at achieving greater investment and improved access to markets for developing countries.
