Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Cotter and his colleagues. I welcome his off-script comments at the end when he spoke about the possibilities that may emerge for our economic development and for business working in conjunction with the EDF. That is welcome. If Sir Humphrey from "Yes Minister" was looking for EU jargon, he would have looked at this programme. Mr. Cotter had to make the presentation within the constraints of how it is framed and using different terminology. It is quite confusing.

Mr. Cotter is positive about the benefits of this mechanism of disbursing EU funding. I accept it fully and Mr. Cotter makes the point well that acting together enables all member states, including Ireland, to benefit from the EU's wide geographical representation in third countries, which is unmatched by any individual member state. That is welcome. Mr. Cotter mentioned cases in which we do not have the capacity or in which Irish Aid work can be complemented. The school in UCC dealing with developmental issues appeared before the committee and seems to have a great reach in regard to medicine, education, sanitation, agricultural development and the transfer of knowledge. Can Mr. Cotter see a role for the school in UCC contributing to, and benefiting from, the EDF programme?

In his concluding remarks, Mr. Cotter mentions that the 11th EDF would see an increase in resources allocated to the least developed and low-income countries. That is where the focus should be and I welcome that development. An agenda for change was adopted only in 2012 and it is possibly too early to determine whether it has been successful or if it has given an edge to particular policies. If there has been any feedback or review of the policy, I would like to hear it. Do all EU member states contribute to the EDF? Does this programme come within the remit of the European Commissioner for international development?