Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 366: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the process regarding the decision making process on Ireland's Overseas Development Aid which led to the identification of the programmes funded in Africa; the policy framework within which the programmes are approved; the manner and level of involvement of the donor parliament; the level of consultation and engagement with donor non-Governmental organisations; the other Government Departments involved in policy decisions; if linkage and compliance with NEPAD principles is taken into account; the link between donor programmes and recipient partner national development plans and poverty reduction strategies; the level of compliance with the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness particularly with regard to the role of Parliament; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4044/07]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's official programme of development assistance, Irish Aid, has as its primary aim the reduction of poverty. Africa is the primary geographic focus of Irish Aid.

The White Paper on Irish Aid, published last September, sets out in the most comprehensive and detailed way, since the inception of the aid programme in 1974, the principles and policies underlying the aid programme. It outlines the vision for the future and a number of key initiatives.

The White Paper was the subject of extensive consultation with the Irish public. Public meetings were held throughout the country. Aid agencies and other stakeholders took part in a consultative forum in Dublin Castle. Consultations were also held with UN agencies and with Ireland's partners in the developing world.

The White Paper was debated and welcomed by the Dáil and the Seanad last November. I had an extremely useful discussion with the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs on 10 October last, which highlighted, once again, the close working relationship between Irish Aid and the Oireachtas.

My Department cooperates closely with other Government Departments in implementing policy on Overseas Development Aid. Arising from the White Paper, an Interdepartmental Committee will shortly be established in order to formalise this cooperation.

Irish Aid delivers assistance to over 30 countries in Africa, but has a particularly deep relationship with six countries. These are Tanzania, Zambia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Uganda and Ethiopia. These countries are termed Programme Countries and are a particular focus for Irish Aid.

The first three countries listed were designated as programme countries in the 1980s based on their poverty, links with Ireland and with Irish missionaries and on the comparative advantage which Ireland had in relation to their needs; there was also, in the case of Lesotho, the desire to show solidarity with a country that was surrounded by the then apartheid South Africa. The latter three were designated in the mid 1990's based on visits by Irish Aid appraisal teams, which looked at the respective poverty indices and on the emergence of these countries from years of conflict. Malawi has been designated as the seventh Programme Country in Africa on the basis of its poverty and the assistance which Irish Aid provided on an emergency basis over many years.

The overarching objectives of the aid programme are poverty reduction and sustainable development. We address fundamental human needs such as food security, basic education, primary health care and safe water supplies.

We also place a particular emphasis on building good governance. This includes assistance for enhancing parliamentary oversight, building democratic systems of government that are underpinned by free and fair elections, strengthening the rule of law, enhancing respect for human rights, improving transparency and accountability through initiatives to enhance public financial management and building civil society.

A guiding principle of Irish Aid's policy is that Ireland's relationship with the developing world will be based on a spirit of partnership and equality. The governments and peoples of our partner countries are primarily responsible for their own development and will lead the development process. Ireland will offer advice, expertise and assistance but decisions on development planning must, to the greatest extent possible, be locally owned and led.

Irish Aid Country Strategy Papers are formulated in close consultation with the partner Governments, other donors and various stakeholders in-country. The strategies take as their reference point the partner Governments' national development plans, which form the basis on which priorities are made. They are informed by the principles of partnership, harmonisation and coordination, in accordance with the Paris Declaration and the principles of NEPAD. Irish Aid also works very closely with civil society organisations in our partner countries building their capacity to influence and monitor public policy decisions.

The Irish Aid programme is growing rapidly. The commitment of the Government to reach the UN target of 0.7% of GNP by 2012 presents an enhanced opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of millions of poor people in Africa and beyond. This practical and tangible assistance will also be matched by strong international advocacy for poverty reduction and a fairer global order.