Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2014
176. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update in tabular form of the commitments in the programme for Government that relate to his Department; and the progress that has been made in the implementation of each commitment. [14115/14]
View answerI refer the Deputy to the recently published Annual Report on the Programme for Government which sets out the progress over the last 12 months of an extensive number of the Department’s commitments including increasing exports, promoting Ireland abroad, overseas development aid, humanitarian crises response, civilian corps, implementing the Good Friday Agreement and St. Andrew’s Agreement, economic co-operation to support jobs, review of the North- South bodies and Ireland’s Presidency of the EU. I would also draw the Deputy’s attention to the recent statements in the Dáil on this topic, in particular my own statement and that of my colleague Minister of State Costello, where we set out the Department’s substantial progress to date under the Programme for Government commitments.
In terms of the crucial priority of economic recovery, we have achieved very significant progress in restoring Ireland’s international reputation through a renewed emphasis on economic diplomacy. My Department and our Embassy network use every opportunity to highlight Ireland’s economic strengths and potential to international audiences. The impact of this work is clear. We have regained access to international bond markets and the confidence of international investors. Export levels are now higher than they were before the economic crisis. Net job creation from inward investment and by our small and medium sized exporting companies was higher in 2013 than it has been for ten years. Ireland is now ranked by Forbes magazine as the best country in the world for business.
We also committed to implement the recommendations in the Government Trade, Tourism and Investment Strategy and to actively develop cultural and diplomatic links with emerging markets. My Department has recently completed a short, focused review of the Strategy, adding an additional seven ‘Exploratory and High Potential Markets’ and we recently announced that five new Embassies and three new Consulates General will be opened in key locations across South East Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas. These Embassies and Consulates will provide a platform for further promotion of Irish exports, investment, tourism and education.
In relation to Northern Ireland, we continue to work intensively with the parties in the Executive and with the British Government in support of an early agreement in the context of the ongoing political talks on parades, flags and contending with the past. British-Irish and North-South relations are strong and strengthening, offering a new and unprecedented opportunity currently to accelerate North/South and East/West cooperation in a practical direction in support of job creation and economic growth on the island.
Ministers North and South agreed, at the North South Ministerial Council’s Plenary meeting in November 2013 in the context of the St Andrews Agreement Review, to focus on new priorities for practical economic cooperation that can help economic recovery, job creation, the optimal use of public money and the most effective delivery of public services. Both the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive are keen to ensure that a preliminary package of new priorities will be ready for consideration at the next NSMC Plenary meeting in summer 2014.
Despite the very severe economic and budgetary situation we have faced, the Government has clearly demonstrated its determination since coming into office to maintain and stabilise the budget for Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the maximum possible extent. In the three years 2011 through 2013, a total of over €1.9 billion has been provided for ODA. This is an enormous achievement in the circumstances. For 2014, the Government has again managed to allocate almost €600 million to ODA, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to helping the poor of the world. Our new policy clearly states that the Government remains committed to the UN target of providing 0.7% of GNP in ODA, and to making further progress towards achieving it as soon as economic circumstances permit.
