Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had talks with the Department of Finance about Ireland and the European Union's approach to the debts of such countries in which debt service imperils poverty reduction and impedes sustainable development, in particular in countries in which debt service exceeds such countries' combined expenditure on health and education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2761/05]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's policy on developing country debt, launched in July 2002, was jointly agreed by the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Finance. Both Ministers have endorsed the policy and are involved in its promotion.

Implementation of the policy at official level involves effective co-operation between officials of the respective Departments. Officials from my Department participate in the official delegation to the World Bank and IMF annual general meetings, which are usually led by the Minister for Finance, to advise on debt and other development related issues.