Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 75: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the outcome of the G8 summit in Scotland; his further views on whether the decision of the G8 to double aid for Africa is sufficient in itself to eliminate poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26832/05]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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The summit meeting of the G8 on 6 and 8 July addressed a number of important issues, some of which have particular relevance for international development. In particular, I warmly welcome the decision to double aid for Africa by 2010. Taken together with the decision of the European Union to devote 0.56% of its gross national income, GNI, to official development assistance by 2010 and to reach the UN target of 0.7% of GNI by 2015, this will mean a substantial increase in resources available for developing countries.

Each country has primary responsibility for its own economic and social development and it will be recalled that the African leaders who attended the G8 summit discussions reaffirmed their commitment to drive forward plans to reduce poverty and promote economic growth; deepen transparency and good governance; strengthen democratic institutions and processes; show zero tolerance for corruption; remove all obstacles to intra-African trade; and bring about lasting peace and security across the continent.

Ireland and other donor countries, for their part, recognise that the quality of aid is an important factor, as well as its volume, in addressing the problems of poverty. The quality of Ireland's development co-operation programme has been internationally recognised and I intend to ensure that this high standard is maintained and developed. We are also working with other donor countries in the OECD to improve the standard of aid effectiveness.

The G8 has announced that all the debts owed by eligible heavily indebted poor countries, HIPC, to the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the IMF will be cancelled. This agreement represents significant progress towards solving the problem of the debt burden on poor countries, a problem which has hitherto proved intractable. The Minister for Finance has indicated that Ireland will be prepared to pay its share of the costs involved for the World Bank. Ireland's official policy calls for debt cancellation for all HIPC countries and we will continue to work towards that end.