Vol. 303 No. 7
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has completed his review of matters relating to overseas development; and if he is now in a position to state whether he intends to establish a State-sponsored body or agency to administer the allocation of overseas development assistance.
35.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has completed his review of overseas aid and; if he is now in a position to state whether he intends to establish an overseas development council representative of the interests involved to advise on Ireland's overseas development assistance policy.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 35 together. Although I have not fully completed my review of matters relating to the questions raised by the Deputy, I have made sufficient progress to be convinced that it is neither necessary nor desirable to establish a State-sponsored body or agency to administer the Government's development assistance programme.
At the same time I feel, and indeed have held this view for some time, that there is a strong case to be made for the setting-up of an Advisory Council on Development Co-operation. I am at the moment, therefore, considering how best such an advisory council might be constituted with a view to putting a proposal to the Government on its establishment as soon as possible. In this regard, and as the advice which may be tendered by the proposed council could well concern Ministers other than myself, I have sought the views of relevant Cabinet colleagues on the question. I hope very shortly also to hold discussions with groups outside Government, including the voluntary agencies, in order to proceed with as broad a consensus as possible on what, in my view, would be a most significant step for development co-operation in Ireland.
Would it be in order to ask the Minister to state why the Government rejected the idea of a State-sponsored body to administer overseas aid, as indicated in the reply?
Having consulted with his colleagues the Minister felt that an advisory council in this context would be the proper thing. Consultations are still continuing with his colleagues. He also suggests that persons who might be consulted in addition to his Cabinet colleagues might be, DEVCO, APSO, voluntary agencies such as Concern, Trócaire, Gorta and other agencies. He would consult with the trade unions, industry, agriculture and other bodies including those representing women, churches, the media, the universities and so on before setting up this advisory council. The Deputy will appreciate that it will be quite a substantial body.
That is exactly my concern; a substantial body is the last kind of body——
A question please, Deputy.
Arising out of the reply, I am concerned with the time. I would like the Minister to indicate now, having rejected the idea of a State-sponsored body and the executive people that implied, when such a council will be established? The Minister of State has already indicated that he is in favour of such a council and therefore must have some views on its formation and structure.
As the Deputy knows, the Minister has indicated his intention of setting up an advisory council and at the moment he is formulating his conclusions on the constitution, of the council, its personnel and chairman and the length of service of each of its members. These are all matters which will take time, so I do not want to be trite with the Deputy when I say that the Minister it is hoped, will have the advisory council set up in the near future.
Is the Minister of State not aware that the bodies directly concerned with overseas development aid, some of whom he refers to in his reply, have been unanimous in seeking the establishment of a development agency to manage development aid and that this was the intention of the preceding Government, as I have declared on their behalf prior to change of Government? Does he not accept that it is a most retrograde step to reject this proposal which operates successfully in a number of northern European countries subject to overall political control of the Minister in question?
I do not consider this a retrograde step; it is a very progressive step. This is bringing the question into the hands and counsel of people effectively outside the civil service, which is not a good or bad thing in itself. I consider that the Minister's step is very progressive. The fact that the previous Government thought the proposal was right does not necessarily make it right for this Government.
The Minister of State is not answering my question. I accept that development of the council is a useful step and one which was contemplated. It is the rejection of the agencies who manage development aid which is retrograde. Would the Minister of State not agree that the statements published in defence of this, suggesting that it is impossible because the Minister must retain control, do not justify this retrograde step? In a number of countries in northern Europe there are such agencies operating subject to the overall political control of the relevant Minister but otherwise managing the development aid programme.
I cannot accept what the Deputy says. The Minister will in time be consulting with the very prestigious agencies, as I have already pointed out, like DEVCO, APSO, Concern, Gorta, Trócaire, the trade unions, agriculture, industry and other bodies——
Yes, Uncle Tom Cobley and all.
It is a pity the last Government did not consult with Uncle Tom Cobley and all.
We did so consult and it is precisely the advice which we got from them to establish an agency which he is rejecting.
Could I ask the Minister of State if his party will circulate immediately the arguments behind the rejection of this body? It is implicit in the question. He indicated that the reasons were considered and it was subsequently rejected. It would enlighten debate on this side of the House if he could repeat the arguments which were evaluated by the Government and the subsequent rejection.
The Deputy is making a speech now.
I cannot give any undertaking to the Deputy about arguments. However, if there is any other information extraneous to that which might be of assistance to him I will have his request examined.
