Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount expended in renaming Development Co-operation Ireland as Irish Aid; the amount previously expended in renaming Ireland Aid as Development Co-operation Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13010/06]

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 129: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the decision to rename Development Co-operation Ireland was taken; the costs associated with this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13017/06]

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 278: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount expended in renaming Development Co-operation Ireland as Irish Aid; the amount previously expended in renaming Ireland Aid as Development Co-operation Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12999/06]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Question Nos. 85, 129 and 278 together.

In October of last year, following a series of public consultation meetings around the country in advance of the publication of Ireland's first ever White Paper on Development Policy, I decided, in consultation with my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, that we should change the name of Ireland's official development assistance programme from Development Co-operation Ireland to something clearer and more direct.

It was evident from the meetings around the country that awareness of the Government's official aid programme was low and that the name Development Co-operation Ireland, despite being an accurate description of Ireland's aid programme, had gained little recognition among the general public. Following internal discussions in my Department, the name "Irish Aid" was chosen and announced on 27 February.

Irish Aid is simple and straightforward; it explains what we do and is much easier to understand. Irish taxpayers will this year contribute over €730 million to helping some of the world's poorest countries, and they have a right to know how this is spent and to feel proud at what is being achieved on their behalf. The name change has been made in the context of increased efforts to make the work of the Government's aid programme better known and understood within Ireland.

The total cost of the name change is €12,712. This includes the design of the new logo, new stationary design and signage. The cost of the name change in 2003 was €2,807.