Colm M. Hilliard
Ceist:39 Mr. Hilliard asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the development loans to ACP countries as discussed at the EU General Affairs Council. [4093/95]
Written Answers. - Development Loans.
The Lomé Convention and its financial Protocol are due for updating by the end of this month. The special meeting of the General Affairs Council held in Brussels on 15 February 1995 failed to agree on an overall level of funding to be offered to the African, Caribbean and Pacific States for the period 1995 to 2000. Ireland offered to increase its share of funding substantially in the context of our expanding aid programme but some member states sought to reduce their contributions.
Our offer reflected the importance Ireland has traditionally attached to the Lomé Convention which is regarded as qualitatively one of the best ever development co-operation agreements. More importantly, its trade and aid provisions benefit some of the poorest countries in the world, including all of the priority countries in Ireland's bilateral aid programme.
Ireland has expressed its disappointment at the failure of the European Union to agree on the level of funding for the ACP countries. We will assist the French Presidency in its efforts to secure agreement on a comprehensive package of measures to offer to the ACP side when negotiations resume.