Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 22: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the proportion of GDP he will spend in 2011 on Overseas Development Aid and each subsequent year until 2015; and the associated cost to the Exchequer [5348/11]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In 2011, it is estimated that we will spend approximately €669 million on official development assistance, ODA. This will equate to 0.52% of our Gross National Product, GNP, and remains a very clear demonstration of Ireland's commitment to the reduction of poverty in the developing world. In our programme for Government we committed ourselves to the 0.7% of GNP target for ODA and we will seek to achieve this by 2015. This objective aligns Ireland with the wider EU commitment to the same target.

Ireland's aid programme is strongly focused on some of the world's poorest countries, especially in Africa. Our aim is to work strategically and in partnership with those countries so that, ultimately, development aid will no longer be necessary and our relationship with Africa and the entire developing world will be one of trade, commerce and the mutual interests of our peoples.

As the Deputy is aware, annual ODA allocations, as with all departmental allocations, are agreed during the Estimates process and will be set within the overall budgetary framework and fiscal constraints facing the country in the coming years. While final budget allocations are ultimately a matter for the Minister for Finance, I assure the Deputy I will make the strongest possible case for each year's development aid allocation.

Our aid programme has been consistently and independently rated as one of the world's best. Ireland is acknowledged as a significant global player in development and our aid programme has been marked by its quality and focus on the poor. One of its greatest strengths is the strong public and cross-party support it enjoys, which draws from the fundamental commitment of the Irish people to work with those less fortunate than ourselves. The Government is determined to build on these foundations of strong national ownership and respected international reputation to ensure Irish Aid remains at the cutting edge of efforts to reduce global poverty and hunger, even at this time of economic difficulty at home.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As there is no supplementary question, we will proceed to Question No. 23.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We are letting the Minister of State off lightly on her first day.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Obviously, it was a good question well answered.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

What kind of an Opposition are the Deputies at all? This would never have happened in my time.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government Members should be proud of themselves.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We want to discuss Colonel Gadaffi.