Mr. Hans Zomer:

I thank the Chairman for his kind words and for giving us this opportunity to meet the committee. In the interest of time I will be very brief. Dóchas represents a broad spectrum of NGOs. As members may know, we represent 51 organisations which work together through Dóchas and learn from each other and improve practice in our efforts to eradicate global poverty. Our 51 members are supported by 700,000 people, employ 4,000 staff and 400 volunteers and work in 70 countries. They bring to bear this experience and breadth of expertise to inform their views on their work and government policies and how these policies support or potentially obstruct our work. My colleagues illustrate this range of expertise and without further ado I will hand over to them.