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

I thank the guests for coming before the committee and I compliment Irish Aid on the work it has done and continues to do, particularly over the past few years during the recession. With the support of Government, Irish Aid has been particularly effective in ensuring the maximum possible was delivered in the most efficient and effective way to those for whom it was intended. That is hugely important, given the climate of recession in which we have had to work, and it will remain important in the future.

Climate change will become a greater issue as time proceeds. Two issues emerge from that. One is the extent to which Irish Aid can explain to the people in the donor countries the implications of climate change, recognising that there will be some sceptics on the subject. There is a need to ensure that climate change scepticism is addressed in a way that conveys the message without confrontation while alerting everybody to the need to ensure we plan our programmes with this in mind into the future. Otherwise, it might be seen as a weapon to inhibit development in donor countries and it could be seen as a threat.

It is important that the Government and Irish Aid continue to support and encourage other donor countries to make the maximum effort at all times. During the past number of years it was not always popular to adopt this stance in most donor countries, and it was not easy to explain that particular countries required aid to a far greater extent than anybody could explain without a visit to those countries to illustrate it.

Aid for trade is becoming increasingly important. While everybody is endeavouring to ensure the maximum amount of aid goes to those for whom it is intended - in the case of Irish Aid, this is without any condition other than to meet the needs of those who require it - this is not the case in all countries, and there are an increasing number who are using the situation to ensure their aid is responded to with trade. This is, in fact, becoming a precondition in some cases, particularly for some of the larger countries and economies. This should be borne in mind and brought to the attention of those concerned, and it should be recognised that countries such as Ireland make direct contributions without any conditions other than to ensure the aid is spent in the most effective way.