Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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376. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider the possibility of allowing national parliamentary input in recipient countries on the use of the ODA budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1435/21]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Promoting national ownership is one of the key principles of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, which underpin my Department's approach to development cooperation through the Irish Aid programme.

National Parliaments have an important role in the agreement and scrutiny of national development programmes and associated poverty reduction strategies. Irish Aid programmes in partner countries are designed within the framework of national development programmes, in partnership with national authorities. In partner countries, Irish Embassies work with Parliamentarians, among others, to ensure national programmes supported by Irish Aid are reaching the most marginalised in society.

The 2020 OECD DAC (Development Assistance Committee) Peer Review of Ireland found that ‘a long-lasting commitment to engaging in partnerships is the trademark of Irelands’ development co-operation”. One of the areas assessed by the OECD in that Peer Review was Ireland's delivery on Aid Effectiveness principles.

My Department, through the Irish Aid programme, continues to promote the principle of partnerships with local Parliaments in developing countries, including through support for the strengthening of legislatures' to scrutinise national development efforts, and to be more effective in fulfilling their mandates.

In addition, Irish Aid works to build Parliamentary capacity for oversight of budgets and other issues. For example, Ireland recently provided support for the establishment of the African European Parliamentarians Initiative (AEPI), a coordinated Parliamentary support group focused on development issues, and which includes Ireland. This is intended to foster collaborative action across regional parliamentary networks in areas such as capacity building, transparency and accountability, peace and security, and global health.