Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 13 November 2012

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade

Misappropriation of Irish Aid Funds in Uganda: Discussion with Irish Aid

12:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have over many years repeatedly raised questions about this issue and on each occasion I was given reassurances. To what extent is consideration given to achieving greater accountability by bypassing local administration and providing direct assistance? It would appear relatively simple to have non-governmental organisations or the donor country in question identify projects to ensure the money goes directly to the people for whom it is intended and no one is able to get his or her hands on it beforehand. By the same token, it should be possible to achieve the same outcome with a combination of worldwide NGOs.

How much influence is exerted by the parliaments of the countries to which we donate money? If a parliament is ineffective, it does not make sense to expect it to defend the integrity of the programme or project.

When Mr. Gaffey visited the region in April and July 2012, was he suspicious that something was amiss? I suspect that someone, somewhere along the line, would have become suspicious if something of this nature was taking place. I refer specifically to the operatives on the ground in northern Uganda who should have known that the tap had been turned off. Was Mr. Gaffey aware of the problem? Was he tipped off about it?

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.