Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 313: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding correspondence from a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40584/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish United Nations Association is a non-governmental organisation that is based in Dublin. Its objectives are to promote the aims and activities of the United Nations and its specialised agencies in Ireland. The association has received funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs since 1972. In addition to this funding, my Department has also provided support to the association in terms of advice on strategy and internal governance procedures. In 2007-08, my Department, in co-operation with the association, conducted two extensive reports which produced a series of recommendations identifying reforms geared to better enabling the association to fulfil its mandate. Consultations are ongoing with the Irish United Nations Association on how to ensure an appropriate follow-up to the two reports. The proposal to cease funding of the association is one of a number of recommendations made in the McCarthy report in relation to expenditure by this Department. Those recommendations are being examined by the Government in the context of preparations for the 2010 budget. In the meantime, I have recently written to the association outlining proposals to address their immediate financial situation, in line with our existing commitment to support its activities.