Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 127: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether some of the Governments with which Ireland has channelled aid money are ranked as having very high corruption problems in international assessments; if he is satisfied that Irish money does not end up diverted to corrupt purposes; and the arrangements which he has in place to prevent such abuses. [22089/06]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland provides development support to some of the poorest countries in the world, a number of which are ranked as having a high level of corruption. Corruption affects the poorest in society, and working in countries with corruption and weak governance generates a higher risk for donors, including Ireland. We are committed to addressing corruption through improving transparency and accountability, supporting public oversight institutions, parliamentary reform and the independent media, as well as building the capacity of civil society to influence and monitor public policy decisions.

For example, in Ethiopia, Ireland supports the strengthening of internal and external audit functions within the Government of Ethiopia. In Uganda, Ireland provides direct support to oversight bodies actively engaged in preventing and addressing corruption, such as the Inspectorate General of Government and the Directorate of Ethics and Integrity. In Zambia, Ireland supports the work of a special Task Force on Corruption. It also provides assistance to the public financial management system, as well as supporting parliamentary oversight of budget implementation and the work of civil society institutions engaged in anti-corruption activities.

In parallel with these support measures, rigorous controls and audit systems are in place to protect Irish funding from abuse. Ireland's funding is subject to external audit by reputable international auditing firms. At the Government level, donor funding is subject to the national auditing systems and to external examination.

In addition to these oversight procedures, a number of internal controls and mechanisms are also applied. An Audit Committee within Irish Aid, which consists of four external members, contributes to the strengthening of these controls. An integrated accounting system is also in place which is in line with best practice and meets OECD reporting and expenditure requirements.

While we are working in some of the most difficult operating environments in the world, I am satisfied that the monitoring, evaluation and audit systems which we have in place provide the best protection possible against misuse of Irish taxpayers' funds.