Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
117. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on a recent proposal at European level to designate 2015 as the European Year of Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38636/13]
View answerI welcome the proposal that 2015 should be designated the European Year of Development, which has been adopted by the Commission and forwarded for consideration to the Council and the European Parliament. The EU is the largest donor of Official Development Assistance (ODA) in the world. The proposed Year of Development 2015 will be a timely opportunity to raise awareness of development across Europe. It will mark the target date for the Millennium Development Goals adopted by international leaders at the United Nations in 2000. Already, significant international discussions are taking place on the framework for international development post-2015, in which Ireland has played a significant role, notably during our EU Presidency in the first half of this year.
I believe that, if agreed by the Council and the European Parliament, the designation of a European Year of Development would help raise awareness of the fight to end extreme poverty and hunger among European citizens and policy makers. It would help generate greater understanding of the reality of underdevelopment in our world, and of the common interest of people in rich and poor countries in action to tackle issues of hunger, sustainable development and climate change on a global level. Ireland supports the proposal before Council at present, and will work to ensure that, if adopted, it engages citizens and policymakers across Europe, as well as our partners in developing countries.
