Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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103. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has a policy on the funding or defunding of organisations with gender critical views by Irish Aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33878/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Gender equality is one of the policy priorities of A Better World, Ireland's policy for International Development. Ireland is proud to be among the top OECD DAC donors in targeting gender equality. In 2019, 76% of our ODA contributed to gender equality and we expect this figure to be similar for 2020 and 2021.  The Irish Aid annual report for 2019, published last autumn, had a spotlight on Ireland's support for gender equality and is available on the Irish Aid website.

All organisations which receive funding from Irish Aid are asked to demonstrate how they are addressing gender equality through the activities being supported. Within the OECD, Ireland's aid programme is one of the strongest supporter of civil society organisations.  Many civil society organisations in receipt of Irish Aid funding advocate for women's rights, as well as rights of LGBT+ people. The full articulation of such rights has in many jurisdictions been under particular strain during the COVID-19 pandemic.

I attach importance to the advocacy role played by civil society organisations in many of our partner countries. Ireland is proud to promote free speech and active policy debate, as a marker of a healthy democracy.