Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 Nov 2002

Vol. 557 No. 2

Written Answers. - Overseas Development Aid.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

106 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether, despite Irish cutbacks in oversees development aid, ODA, corruption is rife in the administration of ODA in some countries; and if he will meet with a person (details supplied) to hear about specific situations and to formulate procedures to ensure ODA gets to those who need it most. [21607/02]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

There has been no reduction in the overall aid budget. In fact the total aid budget for 2002 is at an unprecedented level representing 0.41% of gross national income, GNI, showing an increase of €100 million over 2001. One of the realities of developing countries is that weak governance goes hand in hand with poverty. The goals of the Ireland Aid programme in these countries include the strengthening of systems of governance, the eradication of corruption, the encouragement of respect for rights and the building of accountable public services. Problems of weak governance and corruption must be tackled squarely as development challenges in their own right.

The recent Ireland Aid review emphasised the centrality of the promotion of good governance by recommending that this be treated as a crosscutting issue for the programme. In other words, every proposal for assistance must be evaluated not only in terms of its stated aim but also in the context of the degree to which it promotes good governance. The review also stressed the importance of oversight and accountability. Our programmes in the six priority countries – Lesotho, Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda and Ethiopia – and in South Africa are subject to annual external audit by reputable firms of accountants. The aid interventions, the programmes and projects which form part of the overall programme in each of these countries are themselves audited. In addition, the internal audit unit of Ireland Aid carries out a series of internal audit examinations of elements of the programme and of the systems for its protection.

Added to that, Ireland Aid is at an advanced stage in introducing a new system of risk management for the bilateral programme. Just as important as the process of accounting for expended funds is the need to ensure value for money. In that regard, Ireland Aid carries out a programme of evaluations each year, which assess the effectiveness of our programmes. These evaluations inform the whole process of development across the programme. They make recommendations for improvements in the area evaluated and outline lessons for other parts of the programme.

The paramount objective of the Ireland Aid programme is to get aid to those who need it most. Our procedures and systems are designed with this in mind and are consistently updated and improved. We are committed to the welfare of some of the world's poorest people and to ensuring sustainable development in the countries in which they live. As this involves dealing with weak systems of governance, there is necessarily a degree of risk to be incurred. Careful risk management and the highest levels of vigilance and accountability in the administration of the programme will continue to be central to the work of Ireland Aid. I would be happy to meet the individual named by the Deputy, whose work I much admire, for a discussion of these issues.