Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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20. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a roadmap outlining his overseas development aid plan to reach the 0.7% of GNI target will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40300/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In June 2018 the Taoiseach launched Global Ireland, a plan to double Ireland’s global impact by 2025. Amongst other things, in Global Ireland the Government committed to publishing a White Paper on Ireland’s International Development Cooperation and to delivering 0.7% of GNI to Overseas Development Assistance by 2030.

The public consultation for the new international development policy concluded on Tuesday in Dublin.

Over 185 substantive written submissions were received from Irish people and non-governmental organisations, as well as UN and other international bodies. Five well-attended public meetings were held, in Cork, Galway, Sligo, Limerick, and Dublin. The intention is to publish the White Paper before the end of the year.

In developing the new policy, the intention is to further fine tune Ireland’s international contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Building on the reputation for quality work for which Irish Aid is recognised, the policy will enable Ireland to play its full part in helping address the challenges which the world will face in the decades ahead, including conflict prevention, climate change and gender equality. We will continue a focus on those left furthest behind and will reinforce our support for a rules-based multi-lateral system. The new policy will also assist Ireland in consolidating existing partnerships and in building new relationships.

The new policy will inform an ambitious pathway to reaching the UN target of 0.7% GNI over the lifetime of the sustainable development goals. However, a steady and phased approach is required if the focus on quality and on reaching the furthest behind is to be maintained as the Irish Aid programme expands.