Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress towards achievement of the Millennium Development Goals within the specified time-scale in view of the most recent information from the United Nations; and the implications of failure to achieve the Goals on the continent of Africa. [3698/08]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), adopted in the year 2000 as part of the commitments undertaken by Heads of Government at the Millennium Summit, represent a framework for international economic and social development up to the year 2015. The latest MDG progress report, issued in July 2007, gave us a snapshot of the progress achieved at the midpoint of the 2015 MDG target date, broken down by goal and by region. Overall, there has been good progress on some targets, with more intensive effort required on others.

On the positive side, the indications are that, if current trends continue, we are on target to reach the MDG on poverty reduction for the world as a whole. Progress has also been made globally in relation to reducing child mortality and increasing school enrolment rates. However, while there has been progress towards the goals globally since 2000, largely due to advances in China and other Asian countries, Africa is lagging behind on most indicators. This is attributed to a combination of institutional weakness, civil and international conflict, and funding shortfalls.

In recognition of these problems Ireland continues to focus around 85 percent of its bilateral country assistance on sub-Saharan Africa and Irish Aid will continue to expand its assistance to the region as our aid programme grows.

Failure to reach the MDGs in Africa would be an indictment of the developed world. It is in the interests of each and every country to ensure that the Millennium Goals are reached as the instability caused by global poverty and HIV/AIDS is a threat to all humankind and not just to the countries affected.

In reaction to the geographical disparities highlighted in the latest review, the UN Secretary General convened an MDG Africa Steering Group last September. His initiative has brought together high level representatives of the African Union, European Union, African Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, IMF and World Bank, who will meet regularly to examine how to strengthen Africa's efforts to meet the Goals.

A further initiative aimed at measuring progress towards the MDGs has been taken by the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown who has proposed that a Heads of State/Government meeting take place at the UN in September 2008 to revitalise the pledges made in 2000 and provide the impetus for more intensive efforts in the period up to 2015. The Prime Minister wrote to the Taoiseach about his proposal and the Taoiseach has replied indicating Ireland's strong support.

Ireland participates fully in efforts to achieve the MDGs. As set out in the White Paper on Irish Aid, the Millennium Development Goals are the overarching framework for our overseas aid programme. By delivering on the commitment to reach the 0.7% UN target for development funding by 2012, Ireland is also seen as being at the forefront of their implementation internationally.