Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 97: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the position he will adopt at the World Bank IMF meeting in October 2007 in respect of anticipated decisions; and if he will be tabling resolutions on behalf of Ireland. [23601/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund (Fund) and the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group (Bank) normally meet once a year to discuss the work of their respective institutions. I will attend the meeting to be held this year in Washington and will speak on behalf of Ireland. In addition there are meetings of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC), the IMF's policy-guiding body, and the Development Committee, a joint IMF-World Bank forum. Ireland is not a member of either of these bodies, but is represented indirectly.

In my speech at the Annual Meeting, I intend to recognise the very important work being done by both organisations and especially by the World Bank in its mission of global poverty reduction and the improvement of living standards in developing countries around the world. I will take the opportunity at the meeting next week to address a number of challenges facing both organisations including governance and surveillance. I will also emphasise our commitment to enhancing the position of the emerging market economies while at the same time accommodating the quota position of the more developed dynamic countries which are significantly under represented, including Ireland.

In relation to anticipated decisions, these relate primarily to the normal work of the organisations, for example, annual reports and accounts. I am awaiting the circulation of the relevant documents for the meeting and I will consider my position when I have them to hand. I have no plans to table any resolutions on behalf of Ireland at next week's meeting.