Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and compliment him on the launch of Ireland's new policy on international development, One World, One Future. It builds on the solid foundation of the White Paper on Irish Aid, published in 2006, and the 2012 comprehensive review and public consultation process, which the Minister of State led with independent oversight by the Irish Aid Expert Advisory Group, chaired by a former Minister, Ms Nora Owen. The consultation process had credibility, as it engaged with the public. More than 1,000 members of the public attended four regional meetings. There were also stakeholder meetings and various Oireachtas committees discussed the matter, as did the interdepartmental committee on development. Diaspora groups living in Ireland were engaged with, as were the NGOs working at the coalface and the private sector. Some 160 written submissions were made by NGOs, academia, research institutes, members of the public, politicians, political parties and the private sector.

The 2006 White Paper placed the fight against poverty at the heart of Ireland's foreign policy and is the foundation on which much has been achieved in the past six years. Ireland is recognised globally as a leader in the delivery of quality aid where and when it is needed most. Given that much has changed in the world since 2006, it is appropriate that the Government is setting out a credible and realistic agenda to maintain strong public support for our aid programme.

Although we face significant economic difficulties, the majority of Irish people want the Government to provide aid to the world's poorest people, but they want taxpayers' money to be spent effectively and to be accounted for properly. I share some of Senator Daly's concerns in this regard. Despite the downturn, citizens continue contributing generously to the many reputable organisations working in the developed world.

Ireland's One World, One Future policy has a significant mission statement: "A sustainable and just world, where people are empowered to overcome poverty and hunger and fully realise their rights and potential". Clearly aid alone will not solve the problems of hunger and poverty. Lasting solutions must be supported by governments in developing countries, which must address the issues preventing them from raising revenue and attracting foreign direct investment, FDI. The addressing of human rights issues must be closely linked to our provision of aid.

The policy's goals are reducing hunger and strengthening resilience; sustainable development; and better governance, human rights and accountability. The key elements of the new policy document place a stronger focus on stability in fragile countries, particularly those emerging from periods of conflict. Needs are greater in such countries and human rights issues are likely to be more significant. I welcome the fact that Sierra Leone and Liberia have become partner countries. This demonstrates our commitment to helping countries emerging from conflict. The other partner countries are Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam and Zambia.

The Government remains committed to reaching the target of 0.7% of GNP when our economy improves. In the meantime, the Government is endeavouring to maintain expenditure at current levels. While we all wish that we could reach the target sooner, many better off countries are falling short of the commitments they made at high-level events. A name and shame approach should be taken to expose those that are not honouring their international commitments to the world's most disadvantaged.

I welcome the fact that climate change has been placed at the new policy document's centre. Poor countries are likely to suffer the most as a result of climate change, given its impact on food production and food prices. In a small way, Ireland recently saw the impact of climate change. Our fodder shortage is a reminder of how weather patterns can impact on poorer parts of the world.

The Irish people deserve openness, transparency and accountability, as do our development partners. I welcome the commitment in the document to these ideals. There must be accountability as regards how our money is spent, we must see what is being achieved and members of the public must be assured that the money invested on their behalf is reaching the most deserving people. At home, we need to engage further with citizens so that they might understand the aid programme. We must supply information so that people can know where the money is being spent, how it is accounted for and whether it is achieving progress. I welcome the volunteering initiative under the new document.

I was pleased that, on the day of the document's launch, Mr. Hans Zomer, the director of Dóchas, a network of 49 development NGOs, stated: "Today, we have a document that renews and reaffirms Ireland's vision for a better world and our role in helping to create it. This document celebrates who we are as a people – the values we hold dear and the changes we, as a county, want to bring about". When researching for this debate, I examined materials relating to the 2006 document. They read: "Irish Aid will be there, on behalf of Irish people, as we work to heal wounds of poverty and injustice in a world divided in two parts: those who have and those who want only a fair chance for a fair life". Our new policy document will achieve this objective.

I compliment the Minister of State and thank him for his comprehensive overview of where our money is being spent and where we are making progress. I wish him well for his forthcoming significant meetings on Irish Aid and overseas development aid.