Ms Jane-Ann McKenna:

I thank the Senator for his question. One of the key policy areas for Ireland is around reaching the furthest behind. One of the real strengths of our policies is that we are putting the individuals who are the furthest behind at the centre of our overseas aid programme. We are targeting those individuals. While I do not have the particular country examples the Senator mentioned, through our overseas aid programme we can target the individuals that need support the most, regardless of whether their governments are doing that. We are putting individuals, whether children or women, at the centre of our policy, as well as those who are most affected by the devastating impacts of climate, conflict or other issues. When it comes to oversight, we know that approximately 17% of the finances for the overseas aid programmes go to NGOs and there is considerable oversight of the different programmes that Irish Aid runs with its partners, many of which are here today, in respect of that spending. We do see a significant amount of money being channelled through multilateral organisations, through bilateral aid as well as through other channels. We would welcome additional oversight in terms of how that money is being spent and ensuring that it is reaching those who are furthest behind. Ms Balfe may want to add to that.