Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

135. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to cease having dealings with an organisation (details supplied) in view of the substantial amounts of Saudi funding to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49393/18]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland’s policy for international development sets out our longstanding commitment to strengthening health systems, reducing maternal and infant mortality and overcoming the HIV epidemic in developing countries.

The organisation in question has been an important partner for Ireland’s official development assistance programme, Irish Aid, since 2003. That partnership is rooted in the close alignment between Irish Aid’s health goals and objectives and those of the organisation under reference. The organisation is well recognised for its technical expertise in designing, supporting and delivering health care in some of the poorest countries in the world. Their expertise coupled with my Department’s engagement with the governments in the focus countries has helped maximise our combined contribution in improving health outcomes, including HIV and AIDS prevention and care.

Under the current arrangements, Irish Aid works in partnership with the organisation in Ethiopia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

The organisation receives support from many donors including from other governments, charitable foundations and the private sector. It invested an average of USD138 million per annum in 2016-2017. Ireland’s contribution to the organization in the same period averaged €600,000 per annum. Irish funding is provided through negotiated annual country level agreements and is closely monitored by Irish Embassy officials in those countries.

In addition to working in partnership at the country level, we also hold annual meetings at a global level to review the continued impact of the partnership in delivering vital health services. In a context of continued satisfactory performance, including the multiplication effect which the partnership has on other Irish Aid health interventions in the countries in question, the intention is to continue with the existing arrangements.