No investments, either directly, or indirectly through pension or other investment funds, are held in tobacco companies by my Department. As there are no agencies under the aegis of my Department the issue raised by the Deputy does not arise. My Department administers a number of funding programmes, including Ireland's official overseas development programme, Irish Aid. Information on development funding is available on the Irish Aid website www.irishaid.ie. Smaller funding programmes administered by my Department include the Reconciliation Fund, the Emigrant Support Fund and from time to time my Department also funds a small number of other projects.
Through the Reconciliation Fund, my Department awards funding to organisations and projects aimed at advancing peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland, on a cross-border basis and between Ireland and Britain. Information on Reconciliation Fund grants awarded is available at www.dfa.ie/reconciliation.
The Department’s Emigrant Support Programme supports Irish communities overseas by funding non-profit organisations and projects overseas which foster more strategic links with the global Irish and to support frontline welfare services that help the most vulnerable members of our overseas communities.
In relation to organisations in receipt of funding, through careful evaluation and auditing of such organisations, the Department ensures the money spent is accounted for, represents good value for the taxpayer’s money and minimises potential exposure to reputational risk. While my Department has no guidelines in relation to tobacco investments, given the nature of the organisations in receipt of funding, I am satisfied with my Department’s approach to date but will keep the matter under review.
