Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 76: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to introduce new aid modalities on delivery methods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23742/08]

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The White Paper on Irish Aid lays out the principles which guide the approaches and modalities used in providing aid to developing countries. These are:

Partnership;

Public Ownership and Transparency;

Effectiveness and Quality Assurance;

Coherence; and

Long-term Sustainability.

The White Paper states that Ireland will maintain a mix of complementary modalities in each of our programme countries. Assistance may be given through direct support for a sectoral plan delivered by ministries such as health, education or agriculture; as support to the Government's public expenditure programme through the budget; by means of individual projects or through programmes with NGOs or local authorities.

That mix is determined by the particular circumstances in each country. We choose the modality or mix of modalities on the basis that the programmes we fund will have lasting benefits and will support the country's own development efforts.

The development context, the quality of governance, the strength of public financial management and accountability systems and the capacity to deliver public services, all influence the choice of aid modality.

By using a mix of modalities, Irish Aid can have more influence on how our aid is used to benefit the poorest people. When we provide aid for a national plan or programme, we can see first hand how well this is being delivered to people because we also support programmes at local level where our staff monitor and discuss service delivery with local authorities, NGOs, communities and citizens. Similarly, funding for public expenditure programmes is complemented by support to statutory oversight and national audit bodies, such as the Office of the Auditor General.

Providing money through partner Governments and their public expenditure systems is appropriate and essential in building the effectiveness and accountability of state services to citizens. I believe that this is the best way to support long term and sustainable development. However, we complement support for Government policy and public expenditure programmes with support for civil society and NGOs to strengthen their role in ensuring accountability.

I am very conscious of the need to be able to respond to changing situations and emerging issues such as climate change and the sharp rise in food prices. I am confident however, that the toolbox of aid modalities that we have developed with other donors, with partner governments and with Irish development NGOs provides us with the means to respond effectively to individual country contexts.