Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms Lopes Fernandes. To follow up on a question from Deputy Byrne on parliamentary accountability, the witnesses said that when the Development Assistance Committee members go to Malawi, they will be meeting parliamentarians. One of the issues raised in Busan was the fact that aid programmes seem to work through governments rather than through parliaments. Do the witnesses believe, from their visits to other parliaments throughout sub-Saharan Africa, that parliaments have a role in regard to funding and accountability?

Before the witnesses respond to that question, I call Deputy Mitchell.