Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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Question 65: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views that there is opportunity for Ireland to expand its role in non-aid areas of development co-operation, such as ending harmful fisheries agreements, advocating for fairer trade rules and ending tax avoidance by European companies. [10451/12]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Ireland has a strong and internationally recognised development cooperation programme. This year we are delivering €639 million in Official Development Assistance (ODA) to improve lives in some of the world's poorest communities. This commitment to international development cooperation is central to our foreign policy and strongly reflects the values of the Irish people.

The Government recognises, however, that aid is only one part of the solution to underdevelopment. Th ere is now a renewed effort to ensure that aid provided is complemented by domestic and international policy agreements that can strengthen national revenue collection, utilise natural resources in a fair and just way, and increase trade and private sector investment in developing countries.

This is an important issue for the Review of the 2006 White Paper on Irish Aid, which I am currently leading. This Review is examining the changing context in which our aid programme is being implemented, and recognises that Ireland has an important role to play in the fight against hunger and extreme poverty – not just through the aid funding that we provide, but through a broader, comprehensive and holistic approach to development cooperation. This includes actively engaging across Government Departments, the European Union and other inter-governmental bodies that Ireland belongs to, and ensuring policy approaches adopted are supportive of the interests of developing countries.

A good example of this is the African Strategy which was recently launched by my Department. This Strategy aims to provide a framework for a coherent approach to Ireland's political, development, and business relations with African countries. It articulates the priorities of Ireland in Africa and explores how these can better fit together and reinforce each other. Whilst Ireland will continue to provide development aid to Africa to fight poverty and hunger, there is also a long-term aim to end dependency on aid and to build a new relationship with Africa based on politics, democracy and trade. This is of benefit to our African partners. Closer economic ties and increased trade is also of benefit to Ireland. Through the extensive consultations that are taking place for the Review of Irish Aid, I look forward to discussing these issues both here at home and in the countries where we work. I also look forward to engaging with members of the Oireachtas in the coming weeks, and in particular, to discuss the Review of the White Paper on Irish Aid with the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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Question 66: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with regard to Ireland's adherence to the OECD Convention Combating Bribery of Foreign Officials, and the UN Convention Against Corruption, if these conventions have been fully implemented here; if not, the remaining steps to fulfil implementation; and if he will provide a timetable for the taking of these steps. [10452/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Ireland signed the United Nations Convention Against Corruption in 2003 and ratified it in November 2011. Ireland deposited the instrument of ratification of the OECD Convention Combating Bribery of Foreign Officials in International Business on 22 September 2003. The Convention came into force on 21 November 2003.

The implementing legislation with regard to the criminal law aspects of both of these international instruments is primarily that contained in the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889 to 2010. The core offences of active and passive corruption are set out in the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2001.

The most important development in the law in recent years was the enactment of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act 2010, which strengthens the existing legislation relating to the prevention of corruption. Key provisions include the extension of extra-territorial jurisdiction for corruption offences, a revision of the main corruption offence and the provision of whistleblowers' protection.

There are a number of other relevant laws and regulations that are also applicable in the implementation of both of these instruments including legislation dealing with matters such as ethics in public office, money laundering, mutual legal assistance etc.

The State is also party to the Council of Europe Criminal Law Convention and is an active participant in the Council of Europe Group of States Against Corruption.

It is also worth noting that the heads of a Bill to reform and consolidate the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889 to 2010 are currently being developed by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence who intends to bring them to Government before Easter. It is his intention to publish the heads of the Bill and to refer them to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality prior to the drafting of the Bill. The objective is to clarify, consolidate and reform the provisions contained in the seven different enactments which make up the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889 to 2010.

The new Bill will make corruption legislation more accessible by replacing seven overlapping statutes with one. It also affords an opportunity to review the legislation in this area, and to improve it in light of our experience as members of the international anti-corruption groups.