Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 336: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the numbers of membership, term of office, salary or expenses, and appointing body of the advisory board for Irish Aid. [22988/10]

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Advisory Board for Irish Aid was established in August 2002, originally as the Advisory Board for Development Cooperation Ireland, to provide general advice to the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the strategic direction of the Government's programme of assistance to developing countries. This Board consisted of eleven members who were appointed for a three year period. The Advisory Board was re-constituted in November 2005 with a membership of sixteen for a further three years.

All members of the Board served in a voluntary capacity and were not paid for their work with the Board. Expenses related to attendance at Board meetings or travel on official business of the Board were met from the administrative budget of the Board. Appointments were made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the basis of each individual's expertise and ability to contribute to the work of the Board.

The Advisory Board published annual reports in each year of its operation, and these include full details of the Board's activities and accounts. I am arranging for copies of these to be sent to the Deputy.