Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans for the expansion of the activities of the United Nations Association in view of the importance of harnessing the public interest in such areas as peace-building and the achievement of the millennium development goals. [33508/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Irish United Nations Association, IUNA, is a voluntary body and a member of the World Federation of United Nations Associations. The task of these associations is to promote and sustain understanding of, and support for, the work of the United Nations among the general public in UN member states. I am very conscious and appreciative of the valuable contribution made by IUNA in sustaining support for the United Nations among the Irish public.

The Deputy will appreciate that it is for the association as an NGO, to consider in the first instance how it can further develop its activities. My Department has increased the annual support provided to the association from £7,000 in 1999 to €35,000 this year. In addition the Department has provided one-off grants for the purchase of information technology equipment and for office refurbishment.

The Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, met representatives of IUNA in September and officials of my Department met them last week. Following these meetings my officials are considering how the Department can most fruitfully and effectively develop its collaboration with the association.