Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had recent discussions with non-governmental organisations with regard to their concerns surrounding the decentralisation of Irish Aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13029/06]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the negotiations which his Department has undertaken with relevant non-governmental organisations with regard to the proposals to decentralise Irish Aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13004/06]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 132 together.

I am aware of the concerns of the non-governmental organisations, NGOs, in relation to decentralisation. These concerns were most recently set out in a letter received from Dochas, the umbrella organisation which represents Irish NGOs involved in development overseas, to which my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, replied on 31 January. In his letter, the Minister, Deputy Ahern, stated that decentralisation is a Government decision to which we are committed. My departmental officials are currently involved in detailed planning and implementation of the decentralisation project. We look forward to continued engagement and co-operation with NGOs throughout the process of decentralisation.