Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his contribution and for being so direct with us. It is interesting to talk about transparency. It was the auditor general’s office that found the corruption in Uganda and Irish Aid funded the auditor general’s office. The example shows how Irish Aid made a big difference. What happened was ironic as we upskilled and trained the people in the office in question.

I wish to be associated with the Minister of State’s comments about Sinead Walsh and the team in Sierra Leone. They had to do difficult work on the ground, which the Minister of State saw for himself at first hand. The committee was there two years ago and we saw how difficult the situation was at that stage. It was obviously far worse during the middle of a crisis. The embassy teams abroad, in particular in the programme countries, are to be commended on their dedication and openness. As with anything else, they are always learning. I wish to make that point to the Secretary General, who is present, and to the Minister of State, and the other members of the team.

That completes consideration of the select committee’s consideration of the Revised Estimates for 2015 in respect of Vote 27 – International Co-operation and Vote 28 – Foreign Affairs and Trade. A message to that effect will be sent to the Clerk of the Dáil.

I thank the witnesses: the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, the Minister of State, Deputy Sean Sherlock, and the Minister of State, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, the Secretary General, Mr. Niall Burgess, Barrie Robinson from the political division, Adrian O’Neill from the Anglo-Irish section, Michael Gaffey from Irish Aid, John Conlan from the finance division, Fergal Mythen from the corporate services division, Michael Tiernan from Irish Aid and Gerard Gleeson from the finance division.