Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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72. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if food security is being examined as part of the review of Ireland's review of foreign policy and if there is further scope for drawing on the expertise and knowledge of Ireland's farming community in assisting less developed countries in surmounting food security challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16764/14]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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The fight against global hunger and under-nutrition is a central priority for Ireland's development programme, and an integral element of our foreign policy. Addressing last week’s EU-Africa summit in Brussels, I emphasised how agriculture, and in particular, small holder agriculture, should contribute to achieving food and nutrition security and inclusive economic growth in Africa.

At present, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is undertaking a review of Ireland's Foreign Policy and external relations. The review will fully reflect the Government's Policy for International Development 'One World, One Future' which was approved in May 2013.

We will continue to prioritise the fight against global hunger and under-nutrition. Support for sustainable growth in the agricultural sector in Sub-Saharan Africa is a critical element of this. We are building on our strong support for empowering smallholder farmers, particularly women, in sub-Saharan Africa and investing in agricultural services that will benefit poor farmers and their communities and reduces hunger and promote economic growth.

Ireland’s international development policy places greater emphasis on a whole-of-government approach to achieving development results.

My Department works closely with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in developing appropriate policy responses. Through the Africa Agri-food Development Fund we are developing partnerships between the Irish Agri-Food Sector and African countries to support sustainable growth of the local food industry.There is a growing collaboration between the Irish Aid programme and Teagasc to share its expertise with our partner countries in Africa.