SELECT COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS debate -
Tuesday, 27 Mar 2007

2007 Output Statement for Department of Foreign Affairs.

Chairman

Before we consider the Revised Estimates I am sure I speak for all Members in congratulating you, Minister, the Taoiseach and all the parties involved on their efforts in bringing about yesterday's important and positive development in Northern Ireland. What we witnessed yesterday was truly history in the making and an important milestone on the way to reconciliation and peace on this island. We hope all parties will make full use of the preparatory period to ensure that the new Executive is fully effective on 8 May. We wish them every success. Congratulations to you, Minister, and to your staff, who have worked so hard in this area.

The purpose of today's meeting is to consider the Revised Estimates 2007, Vote 28 — Foreign Affairs and Vote 29 — International Co-operation, which were referred to the select committee by Dáil Éireann on 22 February 2007. In line with the expanded budgetary process an Output Statement is also being provided.

Members will be aware that, as part of the reforms to the budgetary process announced by the Minister for Finance in his 2005 Budget Statement, this year will see, for the first time, the publication by Departments of annual output statements for consideration by Oireachtas committees. That important initiative is intended to facilitate better parliamentary involvement in the budget and Estimate processes. A proposed timetable for today's meeting has been circulated to members. It allows for opening statements by the Minister, the Minister of State and the Opposition spokespersons, followed by an open discussion of Votes in the form of a question-and-answer session. Is that agreed? Agreed.

On members' behalf, I welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern. The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Conor Lenihan, will be here later. I also welcome the officials, the Secretary General, Mr. Dermot Gallagher, Mr. Ray Bassett, the head of the consular and passport division, Mr. Rory Montgomery, the political director, and Mr. Adrian O'Neill, the head of corporate services. Several other officials are seated behind them, and others may attend later; they are all very welcome. The Department has provided briefing material to members, and I thank the Minister and his staff for all the briefing material we received in the course of the year, which has been very helpful to us in our consideration of various issues.

I now call on the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, to make an opening statement for approximately ten minutes.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

I thank the Chairman for his kind remarks, on which I will comment further as we move on.

His statement regarding the reform of the Estimates process is correct. This is my first experience of it, and I expect that it will be the committee's first experience too. I hope it enhances discussion and understanding of the Estimates process. This annual output statement is our first, and I thank in particular my colleagues in the Department for all the work they did in preparing it. A great deal of background work has been done for it, and I hope members find it informative.

Several goals are set out in the Department's strategy statement, and I will try to focus my remarks on the results for 2007. Total funding for the Department is €984 million this year, the bulk of which, some €730 million, is provided under Vote 29 for overseas development aid. With the development assistance being provided through the Estimates of other Departments, Ireland's total overseas development aid in 2007 will reach €815 million, equivalent to more than 0.5% of GNP, which was our target. The Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, will address that in more detail.

Ireland is now well on the way to achieving its UN spending target of 0.7% of GNP by 2012. As affirmed in the recent White Paper, poverty reduction remains the overarching objective of the programme, and the White Paper provides the framework for expenditure, taking into account the enormous challenges and opportunities presented by the expansion of the Irish Aid programme. In delivering a budget of this magnitude, we aim to manage it to the highest standards of international practice for accountability, transparency and value for money.

The committee will be aware that Irish Aid is to be decentralised to Limerick, and the Office of Public Works recently stated that the completion date for the new premises in Limerick would be the second half of this year. Plans are now well advanced to give effect to the move. The OPW has selected temporary accommodation at a central location in Limerick, and it is now proposed to send approximately 50 staff to be relocated there by the end of May.

Challenges presented by decentralisation, particularly in the context of the significant increases in the aid budget, are being addressed through careful planning and appropriate risk management strategies. Other than development assistance, the Department's work is funded through Vote 28. This year's total allocation is €254 million, compared with €243 million in 2006. Some €39 million of that total is expected to come from appropriations and aid, mainly through passport and other consular fees. Just over 75% of the 2007 allocation, some €196 million, relates to the Department's administration budget. This funds the ongoing operational costs of the Department's headquarters and its 76 missions outside the State, with some 1,560 staff at home and abroad. This year's administration budget also includes a capital allocation of €28.6 million, €23 million of which is for the targeted purchase of mission properties abroad where that makes good business sense. Four such properties were purchased in 2006. Apart from these administration costs, the balance of the 2007 Estimate, €58 million, funds a range of programmes in support of the Department's objectives.

Tomorrow marks the 35th anniversary of the imposition of direct rule in Northern Ireland. A major goal of the Department and an overriding priority for the Government is the establishment of sustainable power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland with full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. It has been a long and at times difficult journey, but yesterday's developments place us firmly within sight of that goal. The agreement between the DUP and Sinn Féin to sit in government together on 8 May has the potential to transform politics on this island. Through it, we have achieved what few believed possible a few short months ago — a solid basis for genuine partnership government in Northern Ireland.

In that context, and in view of the absolute commitment to the restoration of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement in six weeks' time and the intensive preparations for government that will now commence, the two Governments have agreed to accommodate the date of 8 May proposed by the two parties. Much work remains to be done, but yesterday's meeting at Stormont between Dr. Ian Paisley and Mr. Gerry Adams has an importance that cannot be understated. It is a tribute to all those who for many years have worked for political and community reconciliation in Northern Ireland. We can move forward now in an entirely new spirit and with every expectation of success.

I take this opportunity to acknowledge the work of the Northern Secretary, Mr. Peter Hain, and the British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, towards this end. I never cease to be amazed by the amount of time the Prime Minister devotes to Northern Ireland. Likewise, the Taoiseach has spent almost every moment of his days in the past ten years seeking to advance us to where we are now. Were it not for the excellent relationship he has built up with Mr. Blair and, in recent times, Dr. Paisley, this would not have been possible.

I also record my appreciation of the work done by the staff of the two Governments, who have worked beyond the call of duty. The public does not appreciate the endless hours they work on our behalf. I express my personal gratitude to my departmental staff and those in the Taoiseach's office, who work hand in hand with their counterparts in the offices of the Prime Minister and the Northern Secretary. I do not under estimate the difficulties ahead for us all. It is not often one gets good days in the peace process, but yesterday was one of the best in the past 20 years.

In financial terms, my Department's role in implementing the Good Friday Agreement is expected to absorb 16%, or €34.8 million, of the Estimate for 2007. Part of this provision includes an allocation of €3 million for the Department's reconciliation fund. This fund supports those at local and community level who are at the leading edge of reconciliation activities. A priority for the fund in 2007 will be to assist projects that are targeted at combating sectarianism. As we move towards partnership in government, it is all the more important to ensure this is matched by redoubled efforts to promote respect and tolerance across the community.

In addition, for the first time this year, the Government has decided to make a contribution to the Ireland Funds to assist them with their philanthropic work across the island. An allocation of €2 million has been provided in the Estimates for this purpose. Enabling legislation will be required before any of this money can be drawn down. This funding will be linked to the Ireland Funds raising matching funding from private sources in the United States and elsewhere.

A fundamental goal of the Department is to pursue Ireland's foreign policy in accordance with our ideals and to do so both bilaterally and through an active and principled participation in international organisations. This broad goal will receive just over one third, or €76 million, of the financial resources available under Vote 28 for 2007. Through our engagement in the UN and the EU common foreign and security policy, Ireland was active in the full range of international issues throughout 2006. In the past year, for example, I have been actively engaged in seeking to make progress in the Middle East and in Darfur, including through making a visit to each region.

Other issues receiving considerable attention at the moment include the evolving situations in Kosovo, Iran and Zimbabwe. Ireland is also to the fore in efforts to develop a new international legal instrument on cluster munitions. Creation of a new conflict resolution unit within the Department will allow us to enhance the quality of our engagement in international conflict prevention and resolution, drawing on the lessons of our own experience in Northern Ireland.

This year's Estimate provides for a €5.8 million increase in Ireland's funding contributions to international organisations, bringing the total allocation to €32.5 million. Most of this increase results from increases in our mandatory contributions to the United Nations, particularly in our share of the UN peace-keeping budget. Ireland's continuing commitment to the UN reflects its importance as the primary mechanism for ensuring international security. Irish troops continue to serve in a wide range of UN-mandated peace support operations.

The promotion of Ireland's role in the European Union and of our relations with our European partners continues to play a very important role in our work. This year, we will devote approximately 16% of Vote 28, €34.3 million, to that goal. The accession of Bulgaria and Romania at the beginning of this year marked the successful completion of the fifth enlargement of the Union. On Sunday, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, which laid the basis for a unique and innovative partnership between nations emerging from conflict. This celebration serves to remind us all of what the Union has delivered for Europe. This anniversary should, as reflected in the Berlin Declaration, be used to energise the Union in addressing today's challenges that are very different from those that faced the founding generation 50 years ago. The best way for the Union to face the challenges of the future is to return to the constitutional treaty, which was the product of the deepest reflection and consultation process in the Union's history.

The Department has a critical role to play, alongside other Departments and State agencies, in promoting Ireland's bilateral economic relations through trade and investment. In 2007, 13% of the budget under Vote 28, €27.3 million, will be devoted to this promotional role. The Department is currently undertaking a review of how its network of missions can best add value to the efforts of the State agencies in promoting trade and investment. In addition, it is currently arranging a dedicated training programme on trade development for those diplomatic officers taking up duty abroad this year. The Department played a key supporting role in the Taoiseach's highly successful trade visit to the Gulf region in January. As part of the follow-up to this visit, the Government very recently agreed to my proposal to establish an embassy in the United Arab Emirates before the end of the year. The protection of our citizens abroad, including through our passport and consular services, has always been a key task of the Department of Foreign Affairs. A total of 22% of the budget under Vote 28, €47.4 million, will be devoted to that purpose in 2007.

In recent years, there have been major advances in our passport service. The automated passport system, APS project, was completed. Production of the new, machine-readable Irish passport commenced at the beginning of 2005 in our dedicated production facility in Balbriggan, as well as in our Molesworth Street office. The APS system has now been extended to our missions abroad. The Irish passport was further enhanced last year through the introduction of a biometric feature. This project was delivered on time, under budget and successfully completed the peer review process for major ICT initiatives. The introduction of this new e-passport ensured Ireland's continued participation in the US visa waiver programme, saving the Irish traveller considerable inconvenience and expense.

Over recent years, the Department has responded effectively to several major international crises including the Asian tsunami, the London bombings and hurricane Katrina. The evacuation of some 200 citizens from the Lebanon last July was also achieved with considerable skill and effectiveness. Over the past year, the Department has significantly enhanced its crisis response capability for emergencies overseas. I formally opened the Department's dedicated crisis centre earlier this year. With more than 100 volunteers on standby, the centre can be operational within two hours of a major emergency occurring overseas. In addition, the Department is now establishing an emergency citizen assistance team that will be capable of being rapidly deployed to the field in the event of Irish citizens being caught in an emergency abroad.

In recent years, we have provided significant financial support to our emigrants and this year there is a further substantial increase in this allocation to more than €15 million. The bulk of this funding is allocated to organisations in Britain dealing with the more vulnerable and isolated citizens. However, organisations in the United States, Australia, Canada and elsewhere are also now benefiting from this support. The support for Irish immigration centres in the US is of particular value to undocumented Irish people at this time of uncertainty for them. Helping to relieve their plight remains a priority of mine. During our recent St. Patrick's Day visit to Washington, the Taoiseach and I raised our concerns regarding the welfare of the undocumented Irish in all of our meetings, including with President Bush, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the Chairman of the key Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Patrick Leahy, and other leading figures on Capitol Hill. We had detailed discussions on the way ahead with Senator Kennedy whose strong leadership on the issue we appreciate deeply. I appreciate also the determination of the bipartisan group in the US House of Representatives to make progress on the sensitive issues of immigration reform. The Bill introduced last week by Representatives Gutierrez and Flake and others is a clear reflection of the commitment in the House. The efforts made by the Government and several parties represented in the Oireachtas are being complemented by the effective work of the ILIR. The two Votes under consideration provide for the resources to allow my Department to advance this work and the cross-party goals I have outlined. I appreciate the constructive support of the committee for the work of my Department and am happy to respond to queries on Vote 28. Deputy Conor Lenihan will deal with Vote 29.

Mr. Allen

I welcome the Minister, the Minister of State and the officials of the Department to the committee. I thank them for a very detailed presentation. Parliamentary questions were taken last week on many of the issues usually raised on consideration of the Estimates. As the matters were considered in great detail last week, there would be no point in wasting everyone's time by rehashing all of them.

In the context of yesterday's historic events, I pay tribute to all parties, Taoisigh and Ministers in the South who have taken a bipartisan approach to Northern Ireland through the years. I pay tribute also to the two main parties to the deal in Northern Ireland for their courage, though we should not forget the SDLP and Ulster Unionist Party which seem to have been sidelined to an extent. The SDLP and UUP were courageous trailblazers for the historic day yesterday. I hope that no major impediment will develop before 8 May to the next step towards a final solution of real and genuine democracy in Northern Ireland. I will refrain from dealing with decentralisation just now. We may come to it later.

I hope the Gutierrez-Flake Bill will represent a new dawn for the undocumented Irish people in the USA. All of us experienced significant disappointment last year when the Bills before the House of Representatives and Senate died a death. I hope the new Bill enjoys bipartisan support. The support of the President has already been indicated. The USA must balance national security with a realistic and humane approach to undocumented persons of Irish or any other nationality. I hope the need for that balance will be uppermost in everybody's mind. I note in the context of the US immigration Bill that 357 Irish people have been deported from the USA since 2000, some of whom experienced harrowing treatment at the hands of the authorities. The treatment was excessive in the context of the offences committed. I hope that while the Bill is put through the democratic process, the authorities will bear in mind that most of those who have gone to the USA have done so with the best of intentions and that there is a need to balance national security and a humane approach to dealing with undocumented persons. Has the Minister given any thought to a bilateral agreement between the United States and Ireland? When I put this proposition to the Minister in the Dáil two years ago he said the time was not right.

I could deal with the issues of the Middle East, Iran and the need to take a proactive role on non-proliferation. I have flagged my concerns that the question of a non-proliferation treaty was being sidelined until 2010 and regarding the danger inherent in a nuclear agreement between the United States and India. However, those matters were raised at Question Time in the Dáil last week and I do not wish to delay proceedings today.

In dealing with officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs I have been shown great co-operation and courtesy, which is exceptional compared with other Departments.

Mr. M. Higgins

I appreciate the opportunity to say a few words. Like Deputy Allen, I do not wish to delay matters unduly. We have had the opportunity of asking questions and they have been replied to thoroughly during the year.

It is unusual that the role of foreign affairs committees in the member states of the European Union and their relationships with ministries and departments of foreign affairs has hardly been studied. Until 1982 permanent civil servants regarded foreign affairs committees as unnecessary incumbrances. In 1982, when I proposed the establishment of a foreign affairs committee in the Seanad, Dr. Steenkamp of Holland said that moralists and pacificists get in the way of people who want to do real business and one should not draw them on oneself. It took me nearly a decade to change that attitude, assisted by progressive Ministers such as the late Deputy Brian Lenihan who was very sympathetic to the idea of a committee. Perhaps the time has come to look at the role of the committees in the European system.

In the bank of research carried out in the 27 countries there has been no thorough investigation of the role of such committees. In some countries they are merely scrutiny committees. Do they have the power to initiate foreign policy or make proposals? Do they have an autonomous relationship with their departments? This committee has a very good relationship with the Department and its officials. This matter is not at the top of anyone's research agenda and I often wonder why.

Professor Patrick Keatinge of Trinity College, Dublin, almost did a study but no Irish academic has studied this subject. A great deal has been written on the subject by Irish academics but they have not touched the nerve of the matter, which is the relationship between foreign policy and diplomacy. The moral philosophical position of a country is accurately referred to in a fine diagram in the Output Statement, which speaks about the relationship of the country with the world. The craft of getting past difficulties is of a different order but the relationship between the two is important. It is not institutionally served by keeping foreign affairs committees at a low level of contribution.

As I mention craft, I join in paying tribute to the skill and sophistication of all those who have worked for so long, often in such unpromising circumstances, on Northern Ireland. What has been achieved is extremely significant and is a great credit to all those who have, like the Minister of State, stayed with the problem night and day. That is also true of those who served in the secretariat, working to bring this situation about and produce options. Often they had to use their skills to invent original ways of getting through what appeared to be hopeless impasses, to which I pay tribute.

It is also important to make several smaller points. In the next phase, as we enjoy better relations with our brothers and sisters in Northern Ireland, I wonder whether, regarding the Good Friday Agreement, we will be required to harmonise our position on human rights. The usual bureaucratic reply is that compliance is to be broad, with slippage possible on each side. However, certain UN conventions have been ratified in one part of the island but not in our jurisdiction, and that suggests a discrepancy.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is honest and skilful. When I deconstruct its language, I find that it is more or less telling me that it wishes that it could ratify the international agreements that we have signed. It is not the Department's fault that we are committed to a dualist system rather than a monist one. It just about holds back from saying that the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is an obstacle regarding agreements. That is not the Department's fault, however, and only the people can resolve that difficulty.

I will ask the specific question of where we stand regarding ratification of the UN international convention on disability rights. I understand that the deadline falls before the end of the month. I have just noticed the section on the European Union, which is very positive, and I welcome it. However, it is surely a matter of concern that there seem to have been discussions between the USA, the Czech Republic and Poland regarding the establishment of missile bases; it certainly concerns me. I noticed in the output document that we have increased our allowance for consultancy payments, a development with which I have no difficulty. In what areas is that additional consultancy taking place?

The poor old Irish UN Veterans Association, which was also mentioned, has received an increase in its provision for next year, but one wonders what additional activities are envisaged to disseminate information on the importance of the UN, its organs and bodies throughout the country. Under subhead H in the general provision, a small sum of money, perhaps €28,000, has been allocated for the United States economic group. I have no difficulty with that, since it is money well spent, but why does it fall under the Vote for the Department of Foreign Affairs? Why is it not dealt with in the Vote for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment or the Department of the Taoiseach? What is it doing here?

In the Output Statement, which is a very interesting document, the UN millennium development goals are mentioned. The Minister and I have both been to the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank, which is sometimes worth attending. With Mr. Wolfowitz and now his successor, one feels that one is being barged at by someone with a single model of economics. Can a case not be made to have a parliamentary assembly on the millennium development goals? That was the wish of the former UN General Secretary, Kofi Annan, and his special representative, Evelyn Herfkens. That would allow for parliamentary accountability regarding progress or otherwise on those goals.

I share Deputy Allen's concern regarding the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the US-India nuclear agreement. It is clear that the Government will probably be able to get past its deadline without having to take a final decision on whether to facilitate a vote at the nuclear suppliers group. Depending on the outcome of fortune at the end of May or June, the Government was to have to take a position as to whether we will facilitate what is effectively a substantial erosion of the non-proliferation treaty.

My final questions relate to the issue that has concerned me most during the past year. There are undoubtedly positive developments arising from the EU common foreign and security policy. However, there is a down side in that our position on some crucial areas is not being made clear to the public. European countries differ in the way their populations can discover their government's position on such issues. Denmark is an extreme example but I could name others.

For example, there is significant public support in this State for the formation of a unity Government in Palestine via agreement between Hamas and Fatah. The general mood is that this is not only a favourable development but that we should recognise and deal with this Government and discuss the suspension of sanctions with it. The common statement fell short of this, however, and seemed to tend towards accommodating itself to the United States' position rather then reflecting European sentiment. I refer to "European sentiment" deliberately because it is one of a connection with the Middle East. We should have been able to be more forthcoming in this regard. It is a general difficulty and one with which future Ministers will have to contend. It seems we are supposed to take on trust that the good battle was fought, but the final text was far short of what the Irish public wants in regard to the Middle East.

Chairman

As there is no Deputy present from the Technical Group, we will proceed to general questions.

I congratulate the Minister, Minister of State and officials in the Department and in Irish Aid on the publication of the White Paper. Delegations from this committee have circulated it at various conferences and it has caused a stir. It is an excellent document and I am not surprised people are interested in it. At a conference we attended in Berlin, for example, we discussed it with Martti Ahtisaari, who will report shortly to the Security Council to make his recommendations on Kosovo, and he was impressed by it. He particularly welcomed Ireland's conflict resolution approach and was congratulatory of the work that is ongoing in the Department in regard to Kosovo.

In regard to the rapid response units, what progress is being made in the establishment of depots in Brindisi and in the Curragh? I congratulate the Minister and his Department on reaching the ODA target of 0.5% of GNP. We are all of the same view on this issue and welcome our advancement to this point.

What is the allocation for Ethiopia this year and what is the current position in this regard? I understand there was a stay on further increases last year. Irish Aid's projects in that country were extremely good and had a significant impact. The outcome of the court case is imminent and will, I hope, lead to a breakthrough in various areas.

I understand that eight people are still held in Eritrea. Four British people were kidnapped and taken over the border and several Ethiopians were taken with them. The British were released but the Ethiopians are still being held. I ask the Minister to do what he can to have the Ethiopians released. Ireland has very good relations with Eritrea so it might be possible for the Minister to use his influence to have the Ethiopians released. They were people of limited means with very little income, the drivers and cook and so on working in connection with a tourist trip. It is important that we should not forget them. We have written to the Eritrean Ambassador in London asking that he use his influence to have them released. When the British people were released it was big news, but nobody is talking about the Ethiopians who are still being held.

What is happening in regard to the Bulgarian nurses in Libya? I understand there is also a doctor with them. I ask the Minister to keep up the pressure to have them released.

In regard to Liberia, it has been suggested by a number of people that, given that the Irish contingent is so good, it should remain. Most of the members of the committee concur with that. Part of the reason is that the social and community work in which it is involved has been so effective and others are not involved in that kind of work. Irish Aid is working there and is considering increasing its efforts in the area. I would like some information on what is happening there.

The Minister has included the annual report with the information supplied to us. It is an excellent report. It is very simple and very concise. It updates the points we made. However, there are no pictures in it. We could supply a few because we have been in Palestine and other places. The words are concise and simple but, in terms of impact, pictures say more.

Mr. D. Ahern

My officials are shy.

Chairman

Perhaps the Minister could step in if they are so shy.

Mr. D. Ahern

I do not stay in one place long enough for a photograph to be taken.

Mr. Allen

On the Department's website Ministers are not shy. One must, for example, click on a photograph of the Minister of State, Deputy Treacy to enter the European Union website.

Chairman

We always build pictures into our reports. The Minister has seen some of them. He will have one on Vietnam shortly. We suggested putting pictures on the front of reports but so far that has not been allowed as there is a standard approach in regard to covers. Fortunately it does not apply to the inside of the report. I mention that because students are increasingly interested in what is happening. In schools and colleges there is great interest in the work of Irish Aid and in the work of the Department generally. Pictures attract students' interest and they pick up the reports and then read the story.

Mr. Carey

I join others in complimenting the Minister and his officials on the work of the Department, particularly in regard to the next stage in the evolution of the Good Friday Agreement. I note the huge amount of work that went into it and acknowledge that without everybody's commitment it would not have happened.

Chairman

I congratulate Deputy Carey on the work he has done on the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body.

Mr. Carey

Now things are up and running, we will engage with all parties in Northern Ireland with a view to their engagement in the assembly of the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body. It will involve nuanced changes to the body's structure.

Chairman

The committee will be happy to engage in any way that is useful in the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body's work.

Mr. Allen

No current funding has been allocated in Vote 28 for the non-proliferation treaty in 2006 or 2007. I hoped there would be a departmental initiative in that context which would provoke some expense. Obviously, there is no intention to do anything.

Mr. D. Ahern

There is no capital spending at any rate.

Mr. Allen

There is no current allocation either.

Mr. M. Higgins

On a related point, the Blix report, which we considered as a committee, suggested the formation of a secretariat to serve the non-proliferation treaty. Formation of the secretariat would require us to make a contribution.

Mr. Allen

In the context of passports, visas and consular services, do we still have to pay a royalty for passports? If so, what is its extent? In 2005, the Comptroller and Auditor General spoke about the payment of royalties and referred to intellectual rights where the format of the passport was used elsewhere.

Can the Minister tell the committee what the Wassenaar Arrangement is?

Mr. M. Higgins

It is very clear from the report and forward-looking description of functions that the Department is capable of doing a great deal more with resources. What level of recruitment is in mind for the coming year? Is there a cap on the existing number of staff? I refer not to Irish Aid, which we have discussed, but generally.

The Minister has replied to me several times stating that he is in favour of ratifying the UN Convention against Corruption. It is part of the Government's White Paper which we will discuss under Vote 29. Are we to sign the convention or not? I have a list of up to 14 international instruments we have signed but not ratified. For the most part, they are mouldering away in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Mr. D. Ahern

I will allow Deputy Conor Lenihan to deal with the matters which come under Vote 29. I thank Deputies for their remarks on the North.

Deputy Allen asked about a bilateral arrangement in respect of undocumented persons in the USA. We are looking at all options but the strong advice is that we should continue to seek a comprehensive reform.

Relative to our size, large numbers of Irish people have been deported from the United States. In some cases, they have been deported because of legislative requirements in the US but when we are contacted by Irish citizens who have been treated unfairly we intercede on their behalf. We have done so on many occasions.

We made payments to the United Nations in 2003 to cover the cost of meetings on the 2005 review of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. We are currently in credit. This credit will cover costs associated with the first preparatory meeting in the 2010 cycle. It is likely that payments will resume in 2008 when that credit is used.

The Wassenaar Arrangement is an agreement between 33 countries that have agreed to co-ordinate export control regulations of arms and other military and dual use goods. The arrangement is supported by a small secretariat in Vienna.

Deputy Michael D. Higgins raised the question of the economic group. It was established in 1992 and has 44 members, most of whom are leading members of the Irish-American business community. The Department covers travel and subsistence costs but most members do not claim these. I have attended a number of meetings while in the United States with the Taoiseach. They are attended by the chief executives of leading Irish-American companies and business people in the United States. They are a very good touchstone. The group is resourced by our Department and run by the embassy in Washington.

Deputy Michael D. Higgins referred to the UN disability convention. I received authority from the Government today to sign the convention. It will be signed on Friday next and ratified in due course. A number of issues remain to be dealt with by other Departments, particularly the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

The consultancy item in Vote 28 refers mainly to information technology. Vote 29 includes many more consultancy items. The Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, will deal with those.

The UN convention on corruption is an issue for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I made that clear in replies to parliamentary questions.

The allocation for the Irish United Nations Veterans Association is modest. We have exhorted the association to use the money to answer queries, produce leaflets and educate the young population about the role of our UN personnel, particularly our peacekeeping forces.

Chairman, you raised the matter of Bulgarian medics. We constantly raise this issue and have made it clear to Libya, through the EU, that we cannot have normal relations with that country until this matter is dealt with. The legal process has not been finally exhausted and I will continue to raise the issue.

I raised the issue of the Ethiopian detentions with the Eritrean ambassador two weeks ago. We have urged our colleagues in the EU to use their good offices to resolve tensions in that region.

Deputy Michael D. Higgins raised the issue of the Middle East, and Ireland issued a very strong statement of support for the national unity Government in the Palestinian territories. There is no doubt that there is a strong divergence of views, not only within the EU but outside it, in that regard. Condoleezza Rice's visit to the region is a hopeful sign, and some of the soundings emerging are—

Mr. M. Higgins

Is our position one of recog-nition and co-operation?

Mr. D. Ahern

No, it is not currently one of recognition. We welcome the fact that the Palestinians have formed a coalition Government, but we must walk very slowly before we run in this regard, since we must determine the intentions of those Hamas people in the Government. I said at the last Question Time that we must obviously take things reasonably slowly to gauge their intentions.

Mr. M. Higgins

May we not miss an opportunity? After all—

Mr. D. Ahern

I do not think so. I would not like to accord the new Government full recognition only to find Hamas involved in a fairly significant battle with Fatah, as happened within days of its formation, albeit in name. The situation is evolving from day to day. Thankfully, the relative peace that now obtains has been helped by the fact that a national unity Government has been formed. However, we would like to see a little more before we commit ourselves to recognition as a nation. Obviously, we can-----

Mr. M. Higgins

We can disagree on imposing preconditions.

Mr. D. Ahern

Obviously, we will see what other EU members do, since I do not want Ireland to fund the new Government, with the best of intentions, only to find that funds sent to it ultimately end up in the hands of terrorists.

Mr. M. Higgins

Then we might be silent instead in the face of illegality on the part of the State of Israel.

Mr. D. Ahern

No, we are not silent, and whenever any illegality is brought to our attention in that respect, we are very vocal in our condemnation. At present, we should not be too hasty regarding recognition of the national unity Government. I accept that Norway has acted in that regard.

Mr. M. Higgins

Yes.

Mr. D. Ahern

However, we must be a little more careful, given the discussions taking place as we speak within the EU. Personally, I would "hasten slowly" owing to the experiences that we have had, including in our own country. As I said to the Deputy before, the Hamas charter is quite clear on the destruction of the State of Israel, and if we are democrats, we must accept—

Mr. M. Higgins

The statement of the national unity Government accords de facto recognition to the State of Israel.

Mr. D. Ahern

We would like to see it in practice for some time.

Mr. M. Higgins

Then we differ fundamentally.

Mr. D. Ahern

I have dealt with most of the questions.

Mr. Allen

I asked a question about passports.

Mr. M. Higgins

I asked regarding the establishment of a dedicated parliamentary assembly on the world millennium development goals.

Mr. D. Ahern

On the question of passports, the agreement does not include any reference to royalties, since the payment is set at a flat rate. The staff complement is 1,568, including an additional 140 clerical and supervisory posts in the Passport Office that the Department of Finance sanctioned in July 2006.

The Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, will refer to the position on Irish Aid. I believe that he stated at Question Time that an additional 23 posts had been approved, some 16 of which have already been filled. The Department has recruited a total of 60 new third secretaries, 16 of them since the start of 2006. The competition is under way for a new third secretary, and six new third secretaries will join in the coming weeks.

Mr. M. Higgins

What about the alleged missile bases in Poland and the Czech Republic? Does the Minister believe substantive talks have taken place between the United States and representatives of the Czech Republic and Poland? If so, what are the implications of this for the European Union and its common security policy?

Mr. D. Ahern

My official, Mr. Rory Montgomery, tells me this is a matter for NATO rather than for the EU. We are not privy to those discussions.

Mr. M. Higgins

Is the Minister saying we are not supposed to know about them? What is our position on this issue?

Mr. D. Ahern

We have made clear time and again our concern regarding the existence of any such bases.

Mr. M. Higgins

That is fine.

Mr. Allen

Are there ongoing technical problems with the Department's website or have there merely been some temporary hiccups?

Mr. D. Ahern

We experienced some technical difficulties recently but they have been sorted out. I answered a parliamentary question on this recently. The website was running slowly for two days but that problem has been resolved.

Mr. Allen

It was frozen on a photograph of the Minister, I could not move beyond that. It was off-putting.

Mr. D. Ahern

It has been resolved.

Chairman

I thank the Minister. Before he leaves, does any member wish to comment on the output statement or the new process? It is a detailed and comprehensive statement that will be a useful reference for members.

Mr. M. Higgins

It is a summary statement.

Chairman

I thank the Minister and his officials for the amount of work that clearly went into it.

Mr. D. Ahern

A great deal of work was involved. It was our first time to produce such a statement and we were concerned to ensure it was as understandable as possible for members. My officials did a marvellous job.

Chairman

I thank the Minister and his officials for attending the meeting.

Mr. D. Ahern

Before I leave, I thank Deputy Carey, chairman of the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body, who has forged significant links with members of the Unionist tradition. I also thank the other members of the interparliamentary body.

Chairman

Members will join the Minister in offering thanks to Deputy Carey. The meeting will suspend briefly, after which we will consider Vote 29 — International Co-operation. With the Minister are Mr. Brendan Rogers, deputy director general of the Department's development co-operation directorate, DCD; Mr. Charles Sheehan, head of finance on Vote 28; Mr. Gerry Gervin, head of corporate development, DCD; Mr. Tony McCullagh, head of co-ordination in the corporate services divisions; and Mr. Michael Tiernan, financial controller, DCD.

Sitting suspended at 4.30 p.m. and resumed at 4.35 p.m.

Chairman

I now invite the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Conor Lenihan, to address the select committee on Vote 29 — International Co-operation.

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (Mr. C. Lenihan)

Vote 29 represents how we as a Government use taxpayers' money to address the great challenges facing the developing world today. It is incumbent on us, through Irish Aid, to spend it to the greatest effect. We must show that aid works. I am honoured to present for the select committee's approval the Vote 29 allocation for 2007.

We are on course to meet the UN target of spending 0.7% of GNP on overseas development aid, ODA, by 2012. This year the total ODA spend will be more than 0.5% of GNP. Expanded resources also bring increased responsibility to ensure that Irish Aid money is spent effectively. The nature of our work and the environments in which we operate require us to have some of the most robust audit systems. There are seven essential pillars to our audit and evaluation process from the work of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Oireachtas committees through to the independent evaluations of our projects in the field. This committee and the Committee of Public Accounts play an essential role in ensuring we remain on the right track.

The independent audit committee of the Department of Foreign Affairs, whose members are external to the department, provides an independent appraisal of the audit and evaluation arrangements for Irish Aid. Three major reviews of core components of Irish Aid's work are currently being undertaken as part of the Department of Finance's value for money review initiative. These areas will include Irish Aid support for the tsunami disaster relief, development aid to Mozambique and our work on HIV/AIDS. Within Irish Aid, our evaluation and audit unit examines and reports to management on the use of public funds. Two additional auditors are currently being recruited to further strengthen this unit. The unit also oversees the work of locally recruited auditors in our programme country offices or embassies.

At country level, internationally recognised audit firms are commissioned to undertake audits of individual projects. This rigorous audit and evaluation structure is coupled with support for good governance programmes in our programme countries. Reducing corruption and building democracy in accountability are integral to Irish Aid's work and key to the long-term effectiveness of our aid interventions.

Reviewing the programme, it is clear that Irish Aid is achieving real and lasting results. With assistance from Irish Aid our partner countries are making great progress in key areas such as health, education, the environment and rural development. A key factor in these advances has been the development by Irish Aid of successful and innovative partnerships with NGOs, international organisations, including the UN and missionary faith-based networks. One such partnership is a medical research programme for the prevention and control of blood borne viral diseases in Vietnam. This unique programme brings together Irish Aid, the prominent private philanthropic foundation, Atlantic Philanthropies, UCD's national viral reference laboratory and the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology in Hanoi. This project will have a significant impact on Vietnamese public health through improved prevention and treatment of blood borne viruses. These viruses have their highest prevalence among the poorest and most marginalised sectors of Vietnamese society. Based on its success to date, last September the Taoiseach renewed and expanded our partnership with the Clinton Foundation in the battle against HIV/AIDS. The foundation has been particularly successful and effective in securing affordable antiretroviral drugs for developing nations and for their departments of health struggling with scarce health resources.

We are also expanding our multi-annual relationship with key NGOs and the UN. Multi-annual funding gives our partners greater stability and leads to better long term development. Irish Aid is committed to increasing its support to the NGO community and helping NGOs become even more effective in their work. The multi-annual programme scheme, MAPS, provided more than €115 million to our MAPS partners: Concern, Christian Aid, GOAL, Self Help Development and Trócaire, between 2003 and 2005. During the transition year, 2006, a further €56 million was provided to these MAPS partners. The second round, MAPS 2, is a five year programme running from 2007 to 2011 and will see more than €350 million go to the MAPS NGOs during the five year funding cycle.

The year 2006 also saw the launches of the civil society fund and micro projects scheme, which have been designed to be sufficiently flexible to facilitate a broad range of applications. Under these schemes €25 million was allocated to NGOs in 2006, including more than €4 million in support of human rights and democratisation initiatives. This figure is set to rise to €31.25 million in 2007. Irish Aid also provides significant funding to Irish missionary organisations each year through the Irish Missionary Resource Service. The IMRS office administers projects and personnel funding schemes for missionaries worldwide. In 2006 a total of €14 million was allocated to the IMRS by Irish Aid and this figure will be €16 million in 2007.

We are making significant progress in implementing the recommendations of the first ever White Paper on Irish aid. The rapid response initiative has been the subject of some Members' questions and I will deal with the topic when I answer those questions. In the coming weeks, two further White Paper initiatives will get under way. The first meeting of the interdepartmental committee on development will take place after Easter. The purpose of this committee is to strengthen coherence across Government in development and development issues as they affect other Departments. I will shortly announce the terms of reference and membership of a task force of experts to examine effective responses to the issues of hunger and food insecurity. According to the World Food Programme, one child dies every five seconds from hunger related causes. More people die from hunger than in wars and more die from hunger and malnutrition every day than are killed by AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. The task force will examine the particular contribution Ireland can make to tackling the root causes of such chronic food insecurity, particularly in Africa.

As well as working to implement the recommendations of the White Paper we have also been busy preparing for our decentralisation to Limerick. It is expected that Irish Aid's new premises will be completed in the second half of this year. In the meantime, an advance team of approximately 50 staff will transfer to temporary accommodation in central Limerick in May.

I recognise that we must do more to communicate Irish Aid's effectiveness to the taxpayer. As the programme grows, public support and ownership will become an even more important issue. Following on the extensive public consultation in the preparation of the White Paper, Irish Aid is implementing several public awareness initiatives. Last month a summary of the White Paper was distributed to every home in the country. We have had positive feedback from this information campaign. In the past month alone, traffic to the Irish Aid website has increased threefold, largely because of the distribution of the White Paper in digest form. More than 50,000 have downloaded the White Paper from the Irish Aid website since the start of the year.

Later this year, Irish Aid will open an information and volunteering centre in O'Connell Street, Dublin. The centre will act as the hub for people interested in volunteering to work overseas and as an information centre on the work of the Irish Aid programme and on broader development issues.

I encourage those members of the select committee who have not already visited one of our programme countries to do so. I am aware that an election is between members and a potential visit but once the election is over I hope more members will travel to our programme countries.

The international community faces a colossal challenge in improving the lives of people in the developing world. Irish Aid will never be the biggest player, in terms of volumes or amounts of cash, but we are playing a significant and growing role in responding to this global challenge. This role is increasingly being recognised at international and multilateral level. We are receiving major plaudits from a range of figures because we are global leaders in this area. Irish people can be proud that their support is effective and is making a lasting difference to some of the world's poorest people.

I commend Vote 29 for the committee's approval and will be happy to answer any questions members have. Before taking those questions, however, may I answer some of those asked earlier in the meeting when the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, was here?

Chairman

No, we must now have statements by the spokespersons of the Opposition parties, after which we will proceed to a question and answer session.

Mr. C. Lenihan

I apologise.

Mr. Allen

We have spoken about the Irish Aid programme on many occasions. Some time ago, we discussed the situation where some mission-aries, both lay and religious, who return to Ireland after spending 40 or 50 years in Africa or elsewhere cannot qualify for the old age pension. Has any progress been made in offering support in this regard? The regulations that govern social welfare and other schemes can be rigid in dealing with such persons. Has the Minister of State reviewed this situation given the additional resources now available to him?

The documentation we received does not specify how much money has been allocated each year to the Clinton Foundation. Will the Minister of State provide information in this regard and also tell us how that spending is monitored?

The rapid response corps sounds great and I do not intend to hit the Minister of State when he has the baby in his arms. However, what will this initiative do that is not already being done by NGOs? What is the duration of the contract into which corps applicants must enter and what conditions will they enjoy? I would not like a situation to develop where NGOs must compete on salaries and other conditions for the services of volunteers. Will this entire situation be governed by UN conditions? I hope the Minister of State will provide more information on this.

Mr. C. Lenihan

I certainly will.

Mr. Allen

The Minister of State spoke in the Dáil last week about the decentralisation of departmental staff to Limerick. What is the situation in terms of the property that was supposed to have been purchased and the property that is being rented in the short term? Does the Minister of State not agree that this arrangement of renting before moving to permanent accommodation will be disruptive? What is the latest information on the ongoing discussions between the Department and IMPACT, which represents senior specialists?

Mr. M. Higgins

By way of continuity with what I said on Vote 28 — although it may not necessarily apply strictly to Vote 29 — I reiterate that my reason for making the case I did regarding the future role of this committee and its relationship with the Department and the Ministry is that certain types of debate that should be taking place are not. One of these concerns the balance between normative theory and the theory of interests in foreign policy. This is not an academic issue of mine, and I am perfectly willing to discuss it in more detail later should we all return as members of this committee. It is a debate that is included in the White Papers published in Norway and Sweden, for instance. It is a legitimate area of concern, since at its root lies a new impulse in public feeling towards the basis of an ethical foreign policy.

Turning to specific statements regarding Vote 29, it seems very important to me that we take an integrated approach, something discussed in the Minister of State's script in which he states, "The committee will strengthen coherence in the Government's overall approach to development and will ensure best use is made of the range of expertise and skills available across the Civil Service". We must seek coherence regarding aid, trade and debt, something not always evident in the positions taken by the various Departments regarding the resumed discussions in the Doha Development Round.

Like others, I have visited the European Union. Is the issue not that a great deal of expenditure at European level is being deflected from the classical tasks of development towards security? Are peace and security effectively being paid for out of development budgets? That raises another issue regarding the tasks of development. I have been involved in development for a very long time, and I confess my interest. I have noticed the emergence of arid and barren language including such words as "stakeholders". That corporate speak is not very nice and should be excised.

I will state my mind on these issues. Where, for example, is the consideration of the 1970s debate on food security, or the 1990s debate on clean water? Water is accepted as a basic right, but is purchased in a privatised system. Where is the debate on technology transfer? In the 1970s there was a rich debate regarding high-end technology, appropriate technology, indigenous technology, the relationship of technology with agriculture, and the purchasing systems in force in different African countries.

Regarding progress, I welcome and praise everything positive that has been achieved. However, at an EU level I noticed sleight of hand in the transfer of money from the development budget to that for security. That is effectively a quiet militarisation of something essentially peaceful. Is that not a dangerous tendency? I have examined the new EU approach carefully. For example, in the case of the committee of donors that meets government agencies in some of the receiving countries, what is the lead agency? Which country will take that role, and how will it be decided? How, for example, might the EU assume the lead in accordance with a set of criteria regarding development projects?

Some more minor points also struck me, one being a certain reluctance evident in various European aid allocations, except non-EU members such as Norway. In the Norwegian White Paper on development, there is a discussion on good governance. Why is there no such discussion in the EU, and why do people not reject the imposition of a World Bank definition of good governance that is as useless as it is narrow? I am as much in favour as anyone else of financial transparency and so on. However, good governance is not about that, and it might be best if I gave a practical example from experience.

There have been two studies by the United Nations on the Somalian famine, one only two years ago. It identified that the best structure for civil society coming back from a disastrous situation is the clan system, village decision-making, which is an aspect of governance. However, good governance, about which we are continually hectored, is presented as the adjustment of African, Asian and Latin American societies to narrow neoliberal single model versions of economics, and have no studies on it. The question of studies is a practical one that arises on the Vote. In regard to the allocation over the next three years and the call that went out in submissions from different third level institutions to individually propose and submit projects in co-operation with one another, are there any that deal with the issues of good governance, technology transfer, food security, the debate about water as a universal right versus water as a commodity? When will decisions be made? Which ones have been funded? If these decisions are made, it is for a multi-annual allocation. Will there be any further call for projects after this current round?

Chairman

There being no spokesperson for the Technical Group present, we will proceed to a general discussion on the revised Estimate by way of a question and answer session.

We have completed the report on Vietnam and hope to launch it next week. I note the mention of blood-borne viral diseases in Vietnam. It is good that highly relevant work is under way. I thank the Minster's officials for the assistance they gave us in drawing up our report. We also hope to have a report on Mozambique very soon. The provision of increased emergency funding to deal with flooding in Mozambique is particularly welcome. It is good that we can respond so urgently and directly. In our report on Vietnam we mentioned the importance of drawing on the skills of other Departments and agencies as well as those of the public. It would be very helpful to bring those skills together. There has been excellent feedback from NGOs that have attended this committee regarding their satisfaction with the co-operation and assistance they receive from Irish Aid. They always have ideas and suggestions, as have the missionaries. There was tremendous involvement on the part of the NGOs on that occasion. That was highlighted in the White Paper which has been well publicised by the committee and welcomed in all the fora we have attended.

Are there any further questions?

Mr. M. Higgins

I welcome the White Paper's positive proposals and the significant achievement it represents in moving towards the United Nations target. It is a credit to everybody. However, our discourse is seriously devalued by the failure to ratify the United Nations Convention against Corruption. On the occasion of the launch of the White Paper, it was stated explicitly that the convention would be ratified. There is no chance of that happening now. Frankly, it is not an answer to say that the matter is delayed in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the point is that the failure to ratify is damaging.

It is also damaging that we have not ratified, nor are we likely to ratify, the convention for the protection of migrant workers and their families, which is on the right side of the Minister's responsibilities. At international debates, the time has passed for simply saying we will do these things. I am beginning to worry that we should change our fundamental constitutional approach, move to a monist position and simply ratify everything as an encouragement to those who are dragging their feet to enter the modern rights-based world. To have signed but not ratified means that we are no longer considered credible.

When only one EU member state has ratified the UN Convention against Corruption, on what basis can we give lectures? Corruption is a two-sided coin. A nonsensical and near-racist idea is current that corruption is the creation of continents like Africa, but it would take a lengthy period of corruption to do as much damage as Enron. Is it our view that we will never look at corruption by multinationals or the West or ratify the UN convention, but instead will talk endlessly about it? I am not in favour of corruption. We could — and I think will — be part of Dr. Svensson's study in Uganda which demonstrated that where there are newspapers, local radio and proper information in local schools, people know what they are supposed to get which helps to ensure the flow of money gets to a district. That is real. In the absence of a commitment to ratification of the UN convention, the statements which are being made are mere wind.

Mr. Allen

The Department has five partners under MAPS and is doubling its budget from €170 million to €350 million. What is the current state of play with the five partners? The Minister of State indicated in the Dáil last week that he had completed discussions with two of the five.

Mr. C. Lenihan

I will respond first to questions raised when the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, was present lest they be forgotten. Our focus in Liberia is on basic needs. We spent approximately €4.7 million there in 2006 to meet needs arising from health care, HIV/AIDS and resettlement of displaced persons. We will spend approximately €5 million in 2007.

We engage in a great deal of consultancy activity. Overall, we plan to spend approximately €2.5 million in 2007. We spent approximately €2 million in 2006. Consultancy does not represent a significant proportion of a €600 million budget and each contract is smaller than it would be in other Departments. Consultancy contracts cost on average €50,000 and focus especially on evaluation, audit and monitoring of the aid programme. They are quite useful in that context.

Deputy Allen asked six questions. We have a partnership with the Clinton Foundation involving the spending of approximately €17 million over five years. When he was in Ireland last October, President Clinton made the point that the foundation does not receive money from the Government. It is rather the case that the money is channelled into partner countries, Mozambique and Lesotho. The foundation mobilises international donors, including Ireland, on issues and themes and the funding provided is spent in-country.

Let me give an example of how the Clinton Foundation channels money to Mozambique. In conjunction with the Department of Health, it mobilised the provision of anti-retroviral treatment for an additional 20,000 people in a space of three years. The Clinton Foundation gets a commitment from its donor members for a sum of money over a period of years, in our case €70 million over five years, and then mobilises top medical expertise and cheaper drugs from the United States which it moves to the country concerned. As well as providing anti-retroviral treatment, it is building a children's wing in the hospital of the second city of Mozambique. In Lesotho, Ireland, as the major donor, is pursuing a project costing €10 million each year which will involve the first universal testing and availability of anti-retroviral treatment in an African country. We can scope and carry out that project in conjunction with the Clinton Foundation.

The Deputy asked some very timely questions about the rapid response initiative. The rapid response has been pitched at the practical level. It was a cause of concern when one of the countries that achieved the 0.7% target spent €26 million per life saved on a rapid response-type emergency capability, which was not good value for money. We are taking a phased approach, the first step was to have the UN identify gaps in the established preposition supplies. The World Food Programme has a major depot in Brindisi which acts as a global distribution centre in the event of natural disasters. We have preposition supplies of basic items that can be of assistance to supply, for example, blankets and so on that could provide shelter for 10,000 people. We propose also to preposition supplies in the Curragh military camp for 10,000 people. We fully fund a new regional depot for Africa.

The World Food Programme did not have regional distribution points, apart from Brindisi, until recently and we are fully funding the WFP depot in Accra in Ghana, which acts as the distribution point for food when cyclical food shortage difficulties arise in an African country. The depot that we fund sprung into action as late as 16 January 2007 when a problem of food insecurity arose in Chad. These practical steps are aimed at addressing clear demonstrable gaps that exist in the international system. We advertised for 50 positions in the rapid response corps to plug the gaps that exist in UN agencies, namely, in the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, UNOCHA, the lead agency that co-ordinates in instances such as the tsunami. We worked with Mr. Jan Egeland when he was in charge of that agency. We work with the World Food Programme and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR. In all three cases we are mobilising 50 people with particular skill sets that will be of value to the agencies when there is a crisis or an emergency.

Mr. Allen

What skills?

Mr. C. Lenihan

Logisticians, public information experts in public health, information technology, etc. Specific skill sets have been identified by the UN agencies and we are filling the positions. We do not want to duplicate existing operations, and are cautious in our approach. We are implementing the remit quite quickly, but we are taking small steps in trying to address demonstrable gaps that exist in the international system. The roster was advertised in the newspapers a month or two ago and we must fill 50 positions. My officials did a great deal of preparatory work with big businesses and companies to see if there was a readiness to assist in providing staff. There was also a great response from the wider public sector. We received 85 applications and the interviews are starting as we speak.

Mr. Allen

Are they well paid?

Mr. C. Lenihan

There is no pay for these positions. Those selected will be available at 72 hours notice, will receive two months training and will be deployed to disaster areas for a maximum period of three months. One aspect of the training, which will be undertaken at the Curragh military camp, will be security. This will ensure the personal security of those deployed in the field in dangerous situations. The second element, for which the Department of Foreign Affairs will pay, will focus on the development and cultural issues associated with being deployed into a developing country. This will be undertaken at the development studies centre in Kimmage Manor.

I note there is a vote in the Dáil.

Chairman

Do members wish to continue?

Mr. Allen

Perhaps the Minister of State would undertake to communicate with us on the outstanding issues.

Mr. C. Lenihan

Yes.

Chairman

I take it members have no further questions in respect of the Output Statement in so far as it relates to Vote 29 and sets targets that will have to be achieved.

I thank the Minister of State and his officials for attending today's meeting.