Vol. 574 No. 3
43 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his proposal for a forum to facilitate dialogue and co-operation with the private sector in pursuit of the Government's development co-operation objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26729/03]
The overarching objective of the Government's overseas development assistance programme is poverty reduction in the worlds poorest countries. Development Co-operation Ireland is contributing to the international community's effort to meet the key millennium development goal of halving by 2015 the number of people, currently 1.2 billion, who are living on less than $1 per day.
Securing the objective of poverty reduction requires a strong and vibrant private sector capable of generating the national wealth that underpins health and education programmes. In many of the countries where the Government has bilateral programmes, the private sector is undeveloped, lacks investment funding, management expertise and technological know-how. A strategy to guide the support we provide for the development of a strong private sector in developing countries is now in preparation.
There is a need to strengthen the dialogue and partnership between the Government's development co-operation programme and the private sector in Ireland. Without departing from our traditional policy of providing untied aid, there is considerable scope for a partnership with the Irish private sector to promote the achievement of our development objectives. Irish companies, both indigenous and multinational, are increasingly globalised. Many Irish companies are now investing in, receiving supplies from or actively exploring business possibilities in emerging economies in the developing world. At the same time, the Government's aid programme has many years of experience in dealing with the opportunities and challenges associated with operating in poor countries.
I have decided, in partnership with Enterprise Ireland, to establish a private sector forum. The forum will facilitate dialogue and co-operation between Development Co-operation Ireland and the Irish private sector. It should in time lead to partnerships between Development Co-operation Ireland and the private sector in Ireland in support of the private sector in developing countries.
I want the forum to address issues such as the opportunities and challenges for Irish companies in trading with and investing in developing countries; the scope for partnerships between Development Co-operation Ireland and the private sector in areas such as information and communications technology, food processing and financial services; the developing country perspective on global trade issues such as market access, subsidies and trade barriers; the technical, legal and trade issues associated with the supply of life-saving medicines, including anti-retrovirals against HIV/AIDS, to developing countries; corporate social responsibility in developing countries, including issues such as labour rights and child workers.
