Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Mar 2003

Vol. 562 No. 5

Written Answers - Official Engagements.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

223 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the meeting in Dublin with the President of the World Bank, Mr. Wolfensohn; the agenda discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1662/03]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

Mr. Jim Wolfensohn, president of the World Bank, paid a one-day visit to Ireland on 21 January. He held discussions with the Taoiseach and the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt and delivered an address to the Institute for European Affairs. It was Mr. Wolfensohn's first visit to Ireland since he became president of the Bank in 1995. Ireland is an increasingly important partner of the bank through its national contributions to the heavily indebted poor countries trust fund, the International Development Agency and various other development funds managed by the bank. Ireland has close co-operation with the World Bank in countries such as Uganda and Tanzania. Over the past six months, we have engaged in a dialogue with the bank on the issue of developing country debt on the basis of the debt strategy of Ireland Aid and the Department of Finance, which was launched by the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt in July 2002.

The principal subjects of discussion during Mr. Wolfensohn's meeting with the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, were Ireland's development co-operation programme and the ways in which co-operation with the World Bank could be strengthened. There was a particular emphasis on Africa, where Ireland Aid operates a bilateral programme in six priority countries. The discussions focused on the plight of sub-Saharan African countries, many of which are devastated by HIV and AIDS, crippled by unsustainable debt burdens and faced with severe food crises. The Minister of State briefed Mr. Wolfensohn on his recent visits to Ethiopia and southern Africa. The wider international trade agenda and the importance for developing countries of a successful outcome to the current Doha development round of global trade negotiations were also discussed. Closer co-operation between Ireland Aid and the World Bank in relation to HIV and AIDS and the link between ICT and development were considered. Mr. Wolfensohn also paid a courtesy call on the Taoiseach, during which Mr. Wolfensohn praised the increase in Ireland's overseas development assistance. The Taoiseach accepted an invitation from Mr. Wolfensohn to deliver this year's president's lecture at the World Bank.