Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 October 2013
21. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has read the World Bank-IMF Watch 2013 report from the Debt and Development Coalition Ireland; his views on the recommendations of the report; and if it will inform the positions Ireland will take at the World Bank Group and IMF meetings in October. [41169/13]
View answerI am aware of the “World Bank – IMF Watch 2013” report from Debt and Development Coalition Ireland, a grouping of Irish development NGOs which has focused on the burden of debt on developing countries and on issues of resource mobilisation for development.
Ireland has played a strong role internationally in addressing the alleviation of the debt burden on the poorest countries. Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has also engaged regularly with the Debt and Development Coalition Ireland on a broad range of policy issues, particularly during the consultation phase in the preparation of the Government's new policy for global development, 'One World, One Future'. We take the clear view that all development interventions, including those of the International Financial Institutions, should be framed explicitly in the context of sustainable development, inclusive economic growth, poverty reduction, country ownership and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
Ireland strongly supports the ongoing process of reform within the World Bank and the IMF to ensure they can adequately meet the development challenges of a changing world.
