Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his position on the use of development funds for advocacy and empowerment among the poor of the developing world; the basis for such remarks as he has made that called such practice into question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7692/05]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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My prime concern as Minister with responsibility for the stewardship of the Government's programme of assistance to poorer countries is to ensure that the greater part of those funds is directed to the needs of vulnerable and needy people in places like sub-Saharan Africa. It was in that context that I raised the issue in question in general terms in a radio interview at the time of the Estimates last year. My aim was simply to encourage informed debate about where and how aid money is spent.

In summary, my view is that, whether directed through the bilateral programme, UN agencies, the EU or NGOs, Irish taxpayers' funds should find their way in greatest measure to the poorest people. That said, I agree that a certain limited percentage should be used to hold up a mirror to what we do and to the challenges we face so as to inform our people of the value of what we do, to build a body of support for that engagement and to educate our young people on the moral outrage which deepest poverty represents.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government proposes to regain the position of leadership in matters of international aid lost when the Government decided to renege on its commitment to spend 0.7% of GNP on overseas aid by 2007; his views on whether the decision to row back on this commitment was unwise; if the Government will now revert to its previous position and commitment to some of the poorest people on the planet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7738/05]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a new timescale for achieving the UN target for overseas aid will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7640/05]

Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 251: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding overseas aid; the new target date at which Ireland will reach 0.7% of GNP; if he will set out a multi-annual plan to reach this target; if he will enshrine Ireland's commitment to the 0.7% target in legislation before the summer recess; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7822/05]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 70, 126 and 251 together.

The allocation for 2005 provides for an increase of €70 million in Government spending on official development assistance this year. This will bring total Government aid to the developing world to approximately €545 million in 2005, the highest allocation in the 30 year history of the aid programme. In addition, the Government has agreed to provide further increases of €65 million in each of the years 2006 and 2007. These substantial increases mean that over the three years from 2005 to 2007, €1.8 billion will be spent by Ireland on development assistance. Ireland will maintain its position as one of the world's leading aid donors on a per capita basis. We are currently in eighth place among OECD member states and our performance is well above the EU average.

I welcome these increases. The three year multi-annual commitment, incorporating substantial annual increases, gives my Department a sound basis to carry forward the long-term planning which is so important for development work. While there may be some merit in enshrining such commitments in legislation, this would create a precedent which could be invoked for many areas of Government expenditure. As Deputies will appreciate, the Government requires flexibility to manage the economy.

The Government remains strongly committed to achieving the UN target for expenditure on ODA. The issue of how best to meet the target, and in what timeframe, is under ongoing review. Development Co-operation Ireland recently launched a consultative process that will lead to a White Paper on development assistance. All interested members of the public are invited to submit views.