Thomas P. Broughan
Question:111 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made to date by the Ireland aid review committee; when the committee is expected to report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23732/01]
Written Answers. - Ireland Aid Review Committee.
The Ireland Aid Review Committee has entered the final stages of its work and is currently engaged in the preparation of its report. This process is likely to be completed within a matter of weeks.
The Government appointed the 15-person Ireland Aid Review Committee pursuant to its commitment to meet the UN overseas development assistance target of 0.7% of GNP by the year 2007. The review committee has been given a number of tasks. These include examining and assessing the future role and management of Ireland Aid in responding to humanitarian crises and in helping to advance the objectives of poverty alleviation, sustainable development and the integration of developing countries into the world economy.
The committee held its inaugural meeting on 13 February when it had an opportunity to consider various aspects of the current aid programme and the policy and management challenges posed by its expansion. These aspects have been developed at subsequent meetings. The committee has,inter alia, considered the views of the Ireland Aid Advisory Committee, the National Committee for Development Education and the Agency for Personal Service Overseas. It has also had meetings with Irish NGOs, e.g. Dóchas, Concern Trócaire, Goal, Self-Help Development International, Irish Missionary Union, and with the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. Members of the committee have also participated in respective field visits to Ethiopia and Uganda where they witnessed the work being done under Ireland Aid's priority country programmes first-hand and had an opportunity to meet key NGO and other partners.
The written submissions received by the review committee range in scope from full overviews of the aid programme to sectoral inputs and letters raising individual concerns. The Government deeply appreciates the various submissions made as a meaningful contribution to shaping the future of the Ireland Aid programme.
While not wishing to in any way prejudge the outcome of the review committee's deliberations, its potential recommendations can be gleaned from its terms of reference. By this measure, they will relateinter alia to strategic priority policy areas, geographical range, social and economic development, agriculture and rural development. They will also cover a number of related issues including human rights, good governance, gender equality, peace-building and conflict prevention, sustainability, HIV-AIDS and meaningful local participation.
In addition to considering the strategic and policy areas, the review committee will also make recommendations on the management and organisational structures which will be required to ensure that the Ireland Aid programme expands in the most effective and accountable manner. At the same time, the review reflects the underlying objective of creating greater public ownership of the Ireland Aid programme and greater public identification with its objectives and achievements. The review will examine how this might be attained through a meaningful dialogue between Ireland Aid, the Oireachtas, the Irish people, NGOs, aid workers, missionaries, the private sector and other stakeholders.
It is hoped that, in making a number of key recommendations, the review committee will point the way towards ensuring that the Ireland Aid programme of overseas development assistance not only does more, but does more better.