Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 17 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 5

Written Answers. - Development Aid.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

84 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the consideration, if any, he has given to the advice of overseas development agencies regarding the most prudent placement of development aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4508/99]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

I am satisfied that the development of Irish Aid policies and programmes benefits from advice from a broad range of sources both domestically and internationally. The key partners for Irish Aid are the intended beneficiaries in developing countries. The basis for policy and programme development is a close dialogue with the authorities of these countries and support for broad-based and participatory development strategies within the countries concerned.

Domestically, Irish Aid benefits from the advice of non-governmental organisations and other relevant parties, especially through the Irish Aid Advisory Committee and the annual Irish Aid Forum. The Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and its sub-committee on Development Aid also have important roles.

Internationally, Irish Aid participates in discussions of development issues and strategies at the United Nations, the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Development Council of the European Union and other relevant fora.

I am satisfied that our approach to policy and programme development is informed by a good understanding of the perceptions of all our partners in the development process.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

85 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has satisfied himself regarding the best method of providing aid to third world countries; if this should be done by direct investment through non-governmental organisations, other agencies or Governments in member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4509/99]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

I am satisfied that the distribution of Irish aid through a number of disbursement channels represents an appropriate response to the needs of developing countries. A key consideration is that the aid relationship should be based on a partnership between developed and developing countries. The management of aid should reflect the perceptions and priorities of recipient countries. Aid should be seen as supporting – not as substituting for – the efforts of developing countries. A key objective should be to strengthen the institutional and administrative capacities of developing countries.

In pursuit of these objectives, and in common with other donors, Irish aid is distributed through three main channels. First, funding through multilateral organisations enables Irish aid to reach the entire range of developing countries and to participate in large-scale development activities that would be impossible to undertake alone. Second, the concentration of a proportion of our budget on six priority countries in Africa has enabled Irish aid to engage in direct development partnerships with some of the worlds poorest countries. Third, the allocation of a high proportion of our funding by international standards through non-governmental organisations enables Irish aid to address the needs of some of the poorest and most marginalised groups in developing countries and to provide support for the development of civil society.

In recent years, the distribution of Irish aid has been about two thirds bilateral and one third multilateral, with about 23 per cent of the bilateral portion going through NGOs.