Written answers

Wednesday, 18 June 2008

Department of Foreign Affairs

Overseas Development Aid

9:00 pm

Photo of Deirdre CluneDeirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 91: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the Inter-Departmental Committee on Development was established; the number of times that it has met; the date of its most recent meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23740/08]

Photo of Peter PowerPeter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The White Paper on Irish Aid included a 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 that commitment, an Inter-Departmental Committee on Development has been established. The Committee held its first meeting in April 2007, chaired by Mr. Conor Lenihan, T.D., the then Minister of State for Overseas Development. Four subsequent meetings have been held with his successor, Mr. Michael Kitt, T.D., as Chairman. The last meeting was held on the 16th April and the next meeting is planned for the 19th June.

The Committee aims to strengthen coherence on development policy across Government. 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 recognised. Government Departments are represented on the Inter-Departmental Committee by senior level officials who are actively engaging in the work.

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. The Committee's first report is due by the end of this month.

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