Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 July 2012
93 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the review of the 2006 White Paper on Irish Aid and the timeline for completion and publication of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33534/12]
View answerThe 2006 White Paper on Irish Aid set out clearly the basis and priorities for Ireland's official aid programme, which is working on behalf of the Irish people to improve the lives of the world's poorest people. The programme has been recognised internationally for its focus on poverty and hunger, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, and for its leadership in making aid more effective.
The Review of the White Paper on Irish Aid is one of the commitments contained in the Programme for Government. We wanted to carry out such a Review to examine the progress being made in our aid programme, to assess the changed context, globally and here at home, and to set out our future priorities.
A very vibrant public consultation was undertaken for the Review between February and April of this year, which was overseen by the independent Irish Aid Expert Advisory Group. We met over 1,000 people across Ireland and in our partner countries, and received 165 written submissions. We also undertook consultation across Government Departments and in the Houses of the Oireachtas. It was encouraging to see so many Members of the Oireachtas participate in these consultations. In particular I would like to acknowledge the written responses that we received from the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Joint Committee on European Union Affairs, and others.
The contributions made during the consultation period are now being examined carefully and work is beginning on the Report on the Review of the White Paper. I intend that the Report and its recommendations will be submitted to Cabinet for approval in October, and that it will then be published.
