Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2018
135. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans with regard to the future of Irish Aid’s programme with a view towards investment in countries in Central and Latin America. [4062/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme and to its place at the heart of our foreign policy.
The international development context has evolved significantly over the past five years: this forms the backdrop to the Government’s intention to produce a new policy on international development in 2018. This will build on Ireland’s existing development cooperation programme, taking stock of the implications of a fast-changing global environment, and set priorities for Ireland’s international development policy for the coming years.
In line with Ireland’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, my Department provides development assistance to over eighty of the world’s least developed countries, supporting their needs. In addition, Ireland continues to respond to emergencies and protracted crises with humanitarian assistance.
Ireland has a long history of support for the development of countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The majority of Ireland’s long-term development assistance to there is channelled through Irish and international non-governmental organisations, while support to missionaries continues.
The largest proportion of this funding has been allocated to humanitarian and long-term development interventions in Haiti, with Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala also receiving significant funding. Between 2012 and 2016, Irish Aid contributed over €45 million in long-term development and humanitarian assistance to this region.
Ireland is also supporting the peace process in Colombia, where former Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Eamon Gilmore, was appointed as EU Special Envoy for the Colombian Peace Process in 2015. My Department’s work sharing the experience of peacebuilding in Northern Ireland has been valued as a contribution by all sides in Colombia. In addition to this lesson sharing, Ireland contributes to the EU and UN trust funds for the Colombian Peace Process and also supports the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Colombia, the role of civil society and human rights defenders.
The new policy on international development which my Department is preparing will inform future investments which will continue to respond to existing needs, humanitarian crises and overall programme priorities. We will build on our longstanding development partnerships and cooperation in developing countries, including in Latin America and the Caribbean. Internal preparations and analysis are already underway, as are preparations for a consultation with external stakeholders. The independent work of the review of the Irish Aid programme currently being undertaken by the Oireachtas Joint Committee for Foreign Affairs and Trade (JCFAT) will also feed into development of the new policy.
