Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2005
371 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will draw up a multi-annual plan with a view to reaching the agreed 2007 UN target for overseas development aid of 0.7% of GDP at a later date; the proposed timescale involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21123/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra372 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he proposes to review Ireland’s previously expressed commitment of 0.7% of GDP to overseas development aid in view of the recent admission that this target will not be attained by Ireland by 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21124/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 371 and 372 together.
The allocation to Vote 29, international co-operation, for 2005 is €470.8 million, an increase of €70 million on the 2004 figure. As a result, total official development assistance for 2005 is expected to amount to approximately €545 million when contributions from other Departments have been taken into account. This represents the highest allocation in the 30-year history of the Irish aid programme.
In addition, the Government has agreed to provide further increases of €65 million in each of the years 2006 and 2007. These substantial increases mean that over the three years from 2005 to 2007, €1.8 billion will be spent by Ireland on development assistance. This three-year multi-annual commitment, incorporating substantial annual increases, gives my Department a sound basis to carry forward the long-term planning which is so important for development work.
The Deputy will be interested to know that the EU has recently agreed new targets in regard to ODA. These provide that the EU 15 will reach a new collective target of 0.56% by 2010, while member states which have not yet reached a level of 0.51% undertake to individually reach that by 2010. Member states also undertake to achieve the UN target of 0.7% by 2015. The newer member states, which joined after 2002, have lower targets.
The Government remains strongly committed to achieving the UN target. The issue of how best to meet the target, and in what timeframe, is under ongoing and active review.
