Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of Sate for his comprehensive reply. The suspension of assistance to Uganda is over. Has the programme resumed? How was the repayment of the €4 million expropriated from the €16 million made? Was it taken back in a single payment or did we discount it off this year's programme? How was that handled?

I welcome what the Minister of State said about the invigilation of the Irish Aid programme. I note that he says we will have a report by summer. Have warning lights been flashing in any other countries? Has the Minister of State heard any alarming reports following the investigation of the programme's finances? I welcome the appointment of the chief financial officer. That seems to be an obvious way to go to protect the investment we are making and the support we give to those countries.

I understand the Minister of State recently visited Tanzania, South Africa and Mozambique partly to see what precisely Irish Aid is doing.

Will the Minister of State give the House his own personal observations on the performance of Irish Aid and how taxpayers' moneys go to the people on the front line, not to the elites, in the countries in question?

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