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

Item No. 2 on our agenda is "Africa Day: trade and investment as tools of sustainable economic growth in Africa". The purpose of the meeting is to mark Africa Day, 25 May, by focusing on aspects of Ireland's long-standing relationship with the continent. Africa Day falls on the anniversary of the establishment of the African Union and is a day designated by African leaders to highlight African unity. The Government's Africa strategy which was launched by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2011 drew attention to the fact that Africa was undergoing significant and rapid change. Despite the development challenges, many sub-Saharan African countries have experienced greater economic growth, more trade, more investment, fewer wars and greater democratic participation than ever before.

Alongside its long-standing development co-operation relationship, Ireland is moving towards a more balanced and mature set of relationships with African countries, reflecting the views of African countries that job creation, foreign direct investment, trade and private sector development are the drivers of future growth and development. Trade and investment are very important elements of the route out of poverty for developing countries and essential for sustainable development. This is recognised clearly in One World, One Future, the Government's policy on international development which was launched recently. In that policy document Irish Aid sets out a clear strategy for helping the least developed countries to increase trade with a view to achieving sustainable economic growth. In that context, it is appropriate that we will discuss the development of trade and investment in Africa with two NGOs whose work is focused on this area. Value Added in Africa facilitates sustainable trade links between businesses in Africa and those in Ireland and elsewhere in Europe. Traidlinks aims to build links between the Irish and business communities and the Irish Aid programme in developing countries, with a particular focus on Uganda, with the objective of promoting poverty relief and the advancement of education.

Our first guest is Mr. Conall O'Caoimh, director of Value Added in Africa, who is very welcome. The usual warning prevails. If he is directed by the Chairman to cease making remarks in a particular fashion, he must do so. Only evidence on the subject matter of the meeting is to be given and he is asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, he should not criticise or make charges against a Member of either House of the Oireachtas, a person outside the Houses or an official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. Other than this, he has free rein.

I remind members to switch off their mobile phones or place them in an area beyond the scope of the broadcasting equipment.