Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress made in the achievement of the millennium development goals; the shortfalls that exist in relation to commitments made; and the areas in which failure to achieve goals will have the greatest effect. [16840/08]

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 most important element of the MDGs is that they give us a measurable set of targets, in order that we can determine if progress has been made in reducing global poverty.

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, there are still areas in which progress is slow or negligible. It is clear, for example, that if the target on maternal mortality is to be reached, a major international effort will be required. This is a matter of great concern to Ireland and our official aid programme, Irish Aid. We have increased our efforts in this area through support to the UN Maternal Health Trust Fund "No Woman should Die Giving Life", as well as supporting the work of UNFPA, the primary UN agency for maternal health. We remain conscious that more needs to be done in this and other areas.

Ireland is also responding to the geographical disparity in progress in the MDGs. Much of the progress to date is due to advances in China and in Asia generally. Africa is lagging behind on most indicators. This is attributed to a combination of institutional weakness, civil and international conflict, and funding shortfalls. Irish Aid continues to focus over 80% per cent of assistance on sub-Saharan Africa.

While it is true that a funding shortfall exists in the commitments made by donors to achieve the MDGs, Ireland is engaged fully in this respect. As set out in the White Paper on Irish Aid, the MDGs are the overarching framework for our official aid programme. By delivering on the commitment to reach the 0.7% UN target for development funding by 2012, Ireland is perceived as being at the forefront of their implementation internationally. We will continue to lead by example, and encourage other donors to live up to the commitments we have all made to the help the poorest of the poor in developing countries.

I believe that each and every one of the MDGs must be met to achieve the progress that the developing world both needs and deserves. These Goals were carefully chosen, with specific targets in mind, and are fully mutually reinforcing. Ireland will continue to closely monitor the progress against each of the Goals, and tailor our actions to ensure their achievement.