The alleviation of poverty is at the heart of the Ireland Aid programme. This is in line with the recommendations of the Ireland Aid review committee, whose report on the future direction of the aid programme was approved by Government last March. This represents the overriding priority of the aid programme. A reduction in poverty requires, first and foremost, a focus on basic needs; basic health care, primary education, basic sanitation and the provision of clean water. These objectives are prominent in our activities in all the programme countries and elsewhere in the aid programme. However, to focus on these key goals alone would not be sufficient to bring about lasting progress and change.