Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Thank you, Mr. Rodgers, for being open, frank and honest with the committee and I commend you for coming here as quickly as possible. I also commend you on your quick response on this serious incident. All politicians have heard concerns from our constituents about how Irish Aid money is being spent. Whether we like it or not, some damage has been done to our aid programme, but I believe we can recover. Irish Aid moved quickly with regard to the incident and a visit by a senior Ugandan politician to Ireland to apologise for what happened would be important.

The committee will keep in touch with the Department with regard to what is happening. We look forward to the publication of your initial investigation in the coming days. We may see you again after Christmas. This has been a constructive engagement and the committee will continue to monitor and progress the investigation. It is important for us, in our oversight, that we keep in touch with the situation to ensure that this never happens again. One can never say it will never happen again, but improved checks and balances must be put in place so that our aid programme can continue. We have seen its positive effect in programme countries and we know the hard work being done on the ground. This incident was unfortunate and has caused some damage. I hope that damage will be repaired in the near future.

I join with committee members in welcoming the appointment of our former colleague, Mr. Barry Andrews, as chief executive officer of Goal. I propose that we write to him, congratulate him on his appointment and suggest that the committee meet him at some stage in the near future. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I congratulate the Tánaiste and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the successful campaign to secure a seat for Ireland on the UN Human Rights Council. A significant political and diplomatic effort went into getting this result. I know the Tánaiste and his officials will use this opportunity to promote a progressive vision for human rights. I congratulate our ambassador in Geneva, His Excellency, Mr. Gerard Corr, and our ambassador at the United Nations, Her Excellency Ms Anne Anderson, who had an important role to play in ensuring that Ireland has a seat on the Human Rights Council. The committee will write to the Tánaiste and the Secretary General in this regard also. Is that agreed? Agreed.

As there is no other business, the meeting will adjourn.