Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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I am aware of the “World Bank - IMF Watch 2013” report from Debt and Development Coalition Ireland, a grouping of Irish development NGOs which has focused on the burden of debt on developing countries and on issues of resource mobilisation for development.

Ireland has played a strong role internationally in addressing the alleviation of the debt burden on the poorest countries. Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has also engaged regularly with the Debt and Development Coalition Ireland on a broad range of policy issues, particularly during the consultation phase in the preparation of the Government's new policy for global development, 'One World, One Future'. We take the clear view that all development interventions, including those of the International Financial Institutions, should be framed explicitly in the context of sustainable development, inclusive economic growth, poverty reduction, country ownership and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

Ireland strongly supports the ongoing process of reform within the World Bank and the IMF to ensure they can adequately meet the development challenges of a changing world.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Consistent with Ireland’s international reputation for the quality of its overseas development programme, the Government is committed to ensuring that all information related to official aid flows is published in a standardised comparable and open format. We are committed to the implementation of the Busan Partnership for Global Development, one of the commitments of which is to improve the accountability and accessibility of aid expenditure. These commitments are explicitly stated in Ireland’s new policy for global development, One World One Future, which was approved by the Government, earlier this year. They are consistent also with the Governments plans for full membership of the Open Government Partnership.

The International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) is a coordinating body established in 2008 to guide all development agencies in publishing aid information. Ireland is now a full member of the International Aid Transparency Initiative. A detailed plan, outlining how Ireland will comply with IATI requirements with respect to aid transparency has been completed. This plan is now being implemented. More information in respect of official aid flows is being made available in consistency with this plan and partner organizations, in receipt of Irish Aid funds are encouraged to publish their aid information also. This detailed plan has been posted on the Irish Aid website. A dedicated team, with responsibility for overseeing the implementation of IATI commitments has been established, and reports to the Director General of Irish Aid.