Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

It would help to resolve this issue if we could move beyond the parameters of strictly financial audit. I accept there may be circumstances where there is another client apart from the State. In such cases, it is appropriate that there be restrictions. What might be required is an implementation group that includes the financial audit. In place of relying on the annual report of the audit committee and similar reports, it would be better to have an implementation group that would look at how allocations work. The terms of reference of this group should go beyond the financial to the evaluation of such questions as whether a programme achieved its social goals, was inclusive, helped governance and was diffuse in the way it worked. Such a body could be brought into existence easily. Will the Minister of State consider setting up such a mechanism?

The advice provided to the Minister by the development aid advisory committee is not published. I would welcome a decision of the committee to publish that advice. Let us have the information so that we can all support the Irish Aid programme.

At yesterday's meeting of the Sub-Committee on Overseas Development, there was strong support for the idea of Irish Aid funding internships. This would mean that development aid workers, rather than having to seek out practical experience after qualification, would be able to avail of that experience, under the guidance of Irish Aid staff, as part of their regular training. In that way, one could combine macro and micro awareness.

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