Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the comments (details supplied) made to an Oireachtas committee on 27 June 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29627/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Government's decentralisation programme announced in 2003, the headquarters of Irish Aid, the Development Cooperation Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs, has moved to Limerick.

The decentralisation of Irish Aid is fully complete and is making an important contribution to the economy of Limerick and the Mid-West region. It also contributes to civic life in the area through events such as the annual Africa Day celebration.

The development programme is recognised as one of the best in the world. This was highlighted by a peer review of Irish Aid carried out by the OECD and published in April 2009. The OECD reported that "Irish Aid is a strong, cutting edge, development cooperation programme, fully integrated into the Department of Foreign Affairs". It stated that "Ireland is a champion in making aid more effective".

The report of the peer review is a thorough and detailed document, providing a very positive assessment of the impact, effectiveness and focus of the aid programme. It was based on work conducted while decentralisation was being completed and represents the most authoritative and impartial international assessment which an aid programme can receive.