Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 51: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to implement the African trade strategy which was developed by the previous Government. [5916/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Government attaches great importance to the continuing development of Ireland's relations with Africa as a whole, and with individual African countries. My Department manages a significant development cooperation programme, Irish Aid, which is strongly focused on sub-Saharan Africa. Our broader relations with Africa are managed through our Embassy network across that continent, as well as through our relationships with the European Union, the United Nations, and other international bodies. While development needs remain very evident, Africa is also undergoing major political, economic and social change, and it is important that we consider ways of strengthening our approach to Africa in order to respond to these changes. Trade, investment and business-to-business exchange are increasingly important emerging facets of our relationship with Africa, and we will be sharpening our focus on identifying opportunities in these areas. As the Deputy will be aware, officials in my Department have been examining ways to strengthen all aspects of our relations with our African partners in the political, economic, and development spheres, including through the development of a strategy for the mutually beneficial enhancement of trade between Ireland and Africa.

Some practical work has already been done in this area in terms of staff training and enhancing the capacity of our Embassies in Africa to undertake economic and trade work and we are looking to build on this. The enhanced role for the Department of Foreign Affairs in the trade area will also facilitate greater coherence in this regard in Africa. A broad review of our relations with Africa, and options for strengthening these, is at an advanced stage in my Department, and I envisage that I will be making a more detailed statement on our plans and priorities in this regard in the near future. I would underline that poverty, hunger and under-development continue to be the greatest obstacles for Africa, and efforts to eradicate these will continue to be a key focus in our work with African partners.