Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 250: To ask the Minister for Finance if he has made a statement on the proposed appointment of a person (details supplied) as the nominee to the presidency of the World Bank; his views on whether this appointment is in the best interest of the developing world in the fight against poverty and the relief of the debt of such developing countries, as called for by the Government on a number of occasions. [11700/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The executive directors of the World Bank board are charged, under the bank's articles of agreement, with the selection of the bank's president. On 31 March 2005, the board met to endorse unanimously the sole nominee in the presidential selection process Mr Paul Wolfowitz, who was proposed on behalf of the United States of America. The decision was formalised via a short resolution and there was no vote. By convention, the US has always provided the president of the bank. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Wolfowitz met representatives of European governments in Brussels to discuss the bank's development mission. As the Deputy may be aware, these discussions were described as constructive by the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, the current President of the European Council of Ministers. I look forward to working with Mr. Wolfowitz on the prime objectives of the bank, including progressing development policy issues and poverty reduction.