Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

181. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will meet the President of the World Bank, Mr Jim Yong Kim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4277/16]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy may be aware, as Minister for Finance I am Governor for Ireland at a number of International Financial Institutions, including the World Bank Group. The World Bank Group comprises five institutions, each of which have different roles and responsibilities under the over-arching goal of reducing poverty and supporting economic development.

The World Bank Group provides a wide range of products and services, including loans, grants, advice and technical assistance, to developing and middle income countries. Given that Ireland is categorised as an advanced, developed, country it not eligible to apply for funding from the World Bank Group.

Officials from the Department of Finance and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade regularly meet with their counterparts in the World Bank Group to discuss issues relating to development in Ireland's Key Partner Countries as well as generally. In my capacity as Governor for Ireland at the World Bank Group, I met with President Jim Yong Kim during his visit to Dublin in July 2016. President Kim also met with my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, on that occasion. This visit provided an opportunity to discuss various issues arising at the World Bank, Ireland's priorities for the work of the World Bank, and matters relating to the broader development agenda. Matters relating to World Bank funding for Ireland was not discussed because, as outlined, Ireland is not eligible for such support. I refer the Deputy to a press release relating to this visit, which can be found at: .