Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 93: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has analysed the position in relation to information published as to the existence of high level corruption in Kenya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6979/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is aware of the allegations of high-level corruption made by Mr. John Githongo. Following a period as director of Transparency International Kenya, Mr. Githongo was appointed Permanent Secretary for Ethics and Governance by President Kibaki when he won the presidential election in December 2002. Having reportedly received death threats, Mr. Githongo fled Kenya in February 2005 and went into exile in Britain. In November 2005, Mr. Githongo sent President Kibaki an extensive report relating to what has become known as the Anglo leasing affair. Mr Githongo visited Ireland in November last and discussed the issue of corruption generally with officials of my Department.

Details of Mr. Githongo's report became public on 23 January 2006 and were followed by the resignations of the Ministers for Finance and Energy and of an assistant to President Kibaki. The Minister for Education has also resigned having been implicated in a previous corruption scandal. He and 19 other suspects have been required to surrender their passports as part of criminal proceedings.

Ireland welcomes President Kibaki's general emphasis on fighting corruption and his attempts to strengthen the legislative and institutional anti-corruption framework. The series of resignations that has occurred must be welcomed as a positive sign of a rejection of corruption. We must remember that the current scandal has been identified by Kenyans themselves and addressed by Kenyans. This is a sign of some progress.

The issue of governance and corruption is always of grave concern to donors, including Ireland. Good governance is a key driver of development. Corruption by its very nature impedes development and has huge costs for an economy. The promotion of governance is a growing part of Ireland's aid programmes, including in Kenya, where Ireland is assisting with parliamentary reform.

The Government remains committed to supporting development in Kenya where Ireland has a long history of engagement. Ireland does not provide budget support to the Government of Kenya but works with donor partners, NGOs, missionaries and other agencies in providing a wide spectrum of assistance to Kenya, including in the areas of education, health, governance and emergency assistance. In the last two years Ireland has provided approximately €12 million in assistance to Kenya.

The Government will continue, along with its EU and international partners, to monitor closely the developing situation while emphasising the need for the Kenyan Government to persevere in using all political and administrative means available to combat corruption.