Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Crowe and I have just returned from Europe, having looked at how it operates and its structures. When one hears eurosceptics, etc., one should argue that they should look at the humanity of the European Union, as a 28 nation group. It is prepared to put €30.5 billion into the alleviation of hunger and development programmes, mainly throughout Africa, but also in the Caribbean and in the Pacific. It is a flag the EU should wave very high. I am very proud we are a member of the EU and that all 28 affiliated nations contribute, as part of their social responsibility to mankind, substantial sums of money.

Having said that, I cannot help but see Irish Aid's influence in the documentation, and I might embarrass officials by saying that. It is quite incredible that we, as a small country, have impressed our neighbours in Europe with how we have professionalised the delivery of aid over many decades. Although I may be wrong, I would argue that it is clearly replicated in the formula being produced and the spending assigned to the various countries. It is fascinating to see so much money is going to our programme countries. I see the hand of the Irish working away in the background in the formulation of policy.

What is really fascinating is our contribution as a nation - €286.77 million - and our programme countries include Tanzania, Mozambique and Ethiopia. Our total contribution is €286.77 million and the total payment alone to Mozambique's development programme is €734 million. It is vastly in excess of what we, as a nation, are doing. Before I read this documentation, I was going to ask about the degree of collaboration between Irish Aid programmes and the European Union.

I refer to the United Nations framework proposals post-2015. As enthusiastic as I am about the collaboration between Ireland and Europe, how do the witnesses think things will pan out when it comes to the United Nations programme post-2015? We may not have the same clout. Do the witnesses think the programmes will merge in some way on the world scene?

I really like this employment enhancement scheme. It sounds very productive and the witnesses might give us a little more insight into it. Presumably, there are labour intensive projects where people are fed or some money is given to those labouring under these schemes.

This committee met the OECD delegation, which spoke about reviewing our work in Malawi. The partners reviewing us are Portugal and Austria. I think we reviewed Portuguese aid programmes. I did not know the DAC also monitors EU-funded development programmes.

This is a fantastic report and I congratulate all involved in the monitoring and preparation of the programme at EU level. Our officials have a hand in not only preparing and working on the programmes but also in monitoring the spending and reviewing the work going on.