Seanad debates
Wednesday, 26 November 2003
Overseas Development Aid: Motion.
I am sure the Minister of State will refer to Ireland's role in providing ODA to Uganda and the political implications of the decision taken last July to redirect some €10 million of the €30 million to non-governmental channels, which has put Uganda at the top of the list of ODA assistance from Ireland, and the subsequent political flurry of activity from that country with the visit of various Ministers whom I and other members of the Joint Committee on Foreign and Affairs met, as did the Minister, at the end of August. This culminated in the visit of Prime Minister Museveni some weeks ago who met with the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, and indulged in what might be described as a charm offensive to ensure the allegations made, primarily, although not exclusively, by John O'Shea of GOAL would be addressed. I am not sure the Ugandan Prime Minister or the Ministers in his cabinet adequately addressed them to the point where all of us were fully satisfied. The Minister may also have some lingering reservations about the role of Uganda in its near neighbour country, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and of its military support for armies operating in that area acting as a proxy for Uganda. I am sure he will also be referring to that because Uganda tops the list in terms of the amount of ODA it receives from Ireland.
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