Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps that have been or will be taken to ensure that international aid is diverted towards those for whom it was intended with particular reference to preventing such aid getting into the hands of warlords or those involved in crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27273/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress in respect of the various efforts to alleviate death and starvation throughout the African continent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27274/05]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together.

The challenges facing Africa are enormous. Food insecurity, starvation, conflict and HIV-AIDS appear at times to create an endless cycle of poverty and conflict. Addressing these issues is one of the most important tasks to which we can dedicate ourselves in the 21st century.

The Government responds in two ways to the humanitarian and development needs of Africa. In the short term, we focus on saving lives in the most effective way possible, through direct assistance via the UN system and international agencies as well as non-governmental organisations — NGOs.

Ireland's emergency humanitarian aid programme supports short-term interventions in the immediate aftermath of natural and man-made disasters. This humanitarian assistance is founded on the principles of international humanitarian law, a commitment to needs-based programming and regular evaluations of humanitarian operations. This approach ensures that the assistance is directed where needs are greatest. It is clear that the cycle of recurring emergencies in Africa needs to be broken if the affected populations are to progress towards the achievement of the UN millennium development goals — the halving of poverty — by 2015.

In the longer term, Ireland's development programme tackles the structural reasons underlying endemic poverty. We have strong development partnerships with eight countries, six of which are in sub-Saharan Africa. Through these partnerships, Ireland fully engages with Governments, donors, civil society, local communities and aid agencies on the basis of poverty reduction strategy plans — PRSPs. PRSPs prioritise a country's resources and expenditures to reduce poverty, tackle HIV-AIDS, encourage economic growth and foster a culture of respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

Ireland's official programme of overseas development assistance has considerable built-in safeguards to oversee and monitor the utilisation of our funding resources. Our partner organisations have developed strong mechanisms to ensure that Ireland's official programme of overseas development assistance has considerable built-in safeguards to oversee and monitor the utilisation of our funding resources. Our partner organisations have developed strong mechanisms to ensure that assistance is provided to those most in need in a clear and transparent way. Our direct funding through local and national authorities is audited by the national auditing agencies, auditing firms of international repute, donor partners and my Department's audit and evaluation unit. As well as direct financial accountability, it is also important to ensure value for money and impact. Impact focused evaluations are also carried out by the audit and evaluation unit and independent experts.

In the context of increased levels of funding, it is clear that we will need to ensure that delivery mechanisms are appropriate and effective. This is clearly in the interests of all stakeholders, including Governments, donor countries, NGOs, aid agencies and, most important of all, the vulnerable people to whom all our efforts are directed. The Taoiseach was clear on the importance of accountability when he recently addressed the UN General Assembly, stating that "to ensure that public support for aid remains strong, we must work with developing countries to improve governance, promote human rights, increase transparency and stamp out corruption".