Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to adopt an integrated approach to development across all Government Departments. [20310/08]

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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A commitment was made in the Programme for Government to 'Adopt an integrated approach to development across all Departments'. The 2006 White Paper on Irish Aid included a further commitment to establish a new Inter-Departmental Committee on Development to strengthen coherence in the Government's approach to development and to make best use of the expertise and skills available across the public service. I am pleased to say that, in line with these commitments, an Inter-Departmental Committee on Development, chaired by the Minister for Overseas Development, was established. The Committee aims to strengthen coherence in development policy across Government Departments. Development cooperation does not take place in isolation from other Government policies and the need for greater coherence in policies across sectors that affect developing countries is fully recognised.

Positive progress has been made. Two sub groups of the Committee have been established, one to look at developing a more coherent policy in our relationships with multilateral organisations and the second focusing on making best use of the expertise and skills available across the public service in our development aid programme. The Committee will report annually to the Minister for Foreign Affairs outlining its activities and making recommendations as appropriate.