Jack Wall
Ceist:236 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views in regard to a submission (details supplied); his plans to meet the summary of the submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25698/03]
Written Answers. - Overseas Development Aid.
I have seen and taken careful note of the submission from Dóchas relating to progression towards the UN target for ODA of 0.7% of GNP. I am pleased to note that the Dóchas submission acknowledges that our development co-operation programme is highly regarded and has been recognised in OECD peer reviews as being of a very high standard.
The submission acknowledges the significant progress which the Government has made in raising ODA towards the UN target. Total ODA this year is likely to exceed €450 million, which at current estimates would equate to 0.41% of GNP. This compares with 0.33% just two years ago. In percentage terms, Ireland was the seventh largest donor internationally in 2002 – just behind Belgium at 0.42% – and our performance is well above the EU average. With the strong urging of the Government, the EU has now set the objective to achieve an average rate of 0.39% by 2006.
The 2003 allocation is the highest ever in the history of the development co-operation programme. It is a measure of the Government's commitment to overseas development aid that despite the changed and difficult financial circumstances, our level of assistance to developing countries is at such an unprecedentedly high level. As the Deputy will understand, the 2004 allocation for my Department's Vote for international co-operation will be agreed in the context of the current Estimates negotiations.