Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 October 2013
23. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way his Department is implementing commitments it has entered into as part of the International Aid Transparency Initiative processes. [41149/13]
View answerConsistent with Ireland’s international reputation for the quality of its overseas development programme, the Government is committed to ensuring that all information related to official aid flows is published in a standardised comparable and open format. We are committed to the implementation of the Busan Partnership for Global Development, one of the commitments of which is to improve the accountability and accessibility of aid expenditure. These commitments are explicitly stated in Ireland’s new policy for global development, One World One Future, which was approved by the Government, earlier this year. They are consistent also with the Governments plans for full membership of the Open Government Partnership.
The International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) is a coordinating body established in 2008 to guide all development agencies in publishing aid information. Ireland is now a full member of the International Aid Transparency Initiative. A detailed plan, outlining how Ireland will comply with IATI requirements with respect to aid transparency has been completed. This plan is now being implemented. More information in respect of official aid flows is being made available in consistency with this plan and partner organizations, in receipt of Irish Aid funds are encouraged to publish their aid information also. This detailed plan has been posted on the Irish Aid website. A dedicated team, with responsibility for overseeing the implementation of IATI commitments has been established, and reports to the Director General of Irish Aid.
