Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)

An event which links our development work with the Famine is due to take place shortly. The Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Deenihan, is taking the lead in respect of that event, at which I will be delivering an address. There is a strong folk memory of the Famine and that is why there is such support for our programme across the political parties and among members of the public. A recent opinion poll indicated that despite the difficult circumstances, 80% of people are supportive of the amount of money we are spending on the overseas development programme. I presume we would have to engage with the people who run the Irish National Famine Museum in respect of the Deputy's suggestion, which is certainly worth considering.

As Deputy Naughten is aware, information relating to this matter is available at the Irish Aid volunteering and public information centre on O'Connell Street in Dublin. The Deputy is correct in that we must constantly engage with the public on the quality of the work we are doing. On Monday I met the representatives of the OECD carrying out the mid-term review. The compliments on Ireland's programme are very strong and we are seen as a world leader because of the effectiveness of our programme. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade met the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, at a major event focusing on world hunger which was attended by hundreds of people from all over the world. Although we are seen as a world leader in this respect, the Deputy is correct that we must ensure the public is aware of the issue.

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