Skip to main content
Normal View

Millennium Development Goals.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 February 2005

Wednesday, 2 February 2005

Questions (63, 64, 65, 66, 67)

Joan Burton

Question:

104 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his position in relation to the review being prepared at EU level with regard to meeting the world millennium development goals adopted in September 2000 at the United Nations General Assembly in New York; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2755/05]

View answer

Joe Costello

Question:

115 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied that such sums as have been committed for the achievement of the world millennium development goals will not be affected by recent pledges in relation to the tsunami disaster in South East Asia; if he envisages the shortfall on the world millennium development goals requirement being met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2760/05]

View answer

Róisín Shortall

Question:

122 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the eight world millennium development goals can still be achieved by the 2015 target date; the precise details of the road map towards the achievement of these goals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2785/05]

View answer

Joan Burton

Question:

174 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government’s views on the recent report of the group of experts on world poverty to United Nations General Secretary, Mr. Kofi Annan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2756/05]

View answer

Michael Noonan

Question:

186 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the millennium development goals will be achieved; the action being taken by the Government to progress the goals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2628/05]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 104, 115, 122, 174 and 186 together.

Ireland attaches the greatest importance to the achievement of the eight millennium development goals. The United Nations Secretary General will conduct the first major review of progress towards the implementation of the goals in 2005. He has already expressed the view that greater effort will be required on the part of the international community if the goals are to be achieved. He has also highlighted the need for special support for many sub-Saharan African countries where most of the development indicators show little improvement over those of ten years ago.

I share the Secretary General's concerns about the achievement of the millennium development goals in sub-Saharan Africa and agree that more will have to be done, by both developing and developed countries, if the goals are to be achieved. Ireland will play an active role in the lead up to the September review conference.

As the world's largest aid donor, the EU has a major role to play in the achievement of the millennium development goals. During our recent Presidency of the EU our partners agreed to Ireland's suggestion for a stocktaking exercise aimed at providing a consolidated EU contribution to next September's United Nations high level meeting. We will continue to work to ensure that the EU provides strong leadership in ensuring progress towards implementation of the goals.

Ireland, like the other EU member states, has submitted a report to the European Commission on progress being made to implement the goals. Our report explains that we have adopted the achievement of the millennium development goals as the overarching framework for our development co-operation programme and emphasises that we are fully committed to their achievement.

Last month I hosted the Irish launch of Professor Jeffrey Sachs's report, Investing in Development; a practical plan to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. This report contains the considered deliberations of the UN millennium project task force which was a major undertaking to support the achievement of the goals. In the words of the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, the report is "a major intellectual achievement — a compelling work that offers a large number of concrete, practical proposals for reaching the Millennium Development Goals by the agreed date of 2015."

I welcome the Sachs report's practicality and realism. While it concludes that the millennium development goals can be achieved by 2015, it also points out that this cannot be done on a business as usual basis. The 3,000 page report — based on the work of 265 scholars, scientists and poverty specialists — contains a virtual road map setting out in detail the investments which will be required in health, education, rural development, road building, housing and scientific research.

In recent weeks the world's attention has been focused, understandably, on the appalling human tragedy in South Asia. Ireland responded with speed and generosity to the appeals for help from the countries affected, at both the governmental and public levels. However, it is vital that we do not forget other parts of the world which are in great need, particularly in Africa. I sincerely hope that the current outpouring of generosity and support will continue to characterise the future response of the international community to the challenge of combating global poverty.

I agree with the Sachs report's conclusion that the millennium development goals are not utopian and that they are eminently achievable. Many countries, including some of the poorest and least developed, are making real progress in achieving them. I believe that Ireland's approach to the implementation of the goals is in conformity with the recommendations of the Sachs report. Our development co-operation programme has its chief focus on sub-Saharan Africa. Some 85% of our bilateral programme country assistance is spent there. It is our intention to maintain this focus and to expand our assistance to the region as the aid programme grows. We also firmly believe that every country is responsible for its own development and the welfare and the well-being of its citizens. A key lesson from Ireland's development experience is the importance of the role of government. Progress towards the goals will only be made if primary responsibility is assumed by developing countries.

Top
Share