Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 89 together.

On 13 September, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade launched a new Africa strategy for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The strategy is titled Ireland and Africa; Our Partnership with a Changing Continent. It was launched at the first ever Africa – Ireland economic forum, which was organised by the Department in partnership with the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and the African ambassadors accredited to Ireland. I was very pleased to open the event, which was attended by a large number of Irish business representatives, diplomats, NGOs and academics.

The elaboration of the strategy involved a series of consultations within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with other Departments and agencies, and with private sector and civil society representatives. Its objective is to ensure a more co-ordinated and coherent approach to our relations with Africa - political, development, economic and trade promotion – at the bilateral level and in the context of our membership of the European Union, the United Nations and other international bodies. There is a particular focus on enhancing the capacity of Ireland's embassy network in Africa to support the work of State agencies, including Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia.

The strategy builds on the relationships established over many years by Ireland's development assistance programme, which is recognised internationally for its strong focus on the fight against poverty and hunger and for its concentration on the poorest countries of sub-Saharan Africa. This will be maintained. However, the strategy seeks to respond comprehensively to the realities of a changing continent in which economic growth is beginning to open up new opportunities for economic development.

I presented the strategy at a meeting of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade on 28 September. There are no specific plans for a debate in the House at this stage. However, I look forward to continuing to consult closely with the joint committee as the Department moves ahead with implementation of the Africa strategy.

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