Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 December 2004
116 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the new target date by which Ireland will reach the UN target of 0.7% of GDP and a multi-annual plan to reach this target in view of the fact that budget 2005 made no mention of a new date for meeting the UN target for overseas aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33926/04]
View answerThe allocation for 2005 provides for an increase of €60 million in Government spending on official development assistance next year. This will bring total Government aid to the developing world to approximately €535 million in 2005. In addition, the Government has agreed to make further increases of €65 million in each of the years 2006 and 2007. These substantial increases mean that €1.8 billion will be spent by Ireland on development assistance over the coming three years. I welcome these increases.
The three year, multi-annual commitment, incorporating substantial annual increases, gives my Department a sound basis to carry forward the long-term planning which is so important for development work. The Government remains committed to reaching the 0.7% target as soon as possible. We will examine the question of a revised timetable in the new year to see how we can best take this forward.
