Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

413 Questions— 22 February 2005. Written Answers 414stated problems; and if he will make a statementon the matter. [5953/05]Minister of State at the Department of ForeignAffairs (Mr. C. Lenihan): The letter referred toin the Deputy’s question concerns the challengesfor Ireland and the international community in2005 in achieving the millennium developmentgoals, the UN target for official developmentassistance, the international trade agenda,insecurity, in particular in Darfur in Sudan, andthe need to tackle the global arms trade.On the millennium development goals, MDGs,I am keenly aware of the need to accelerate progressif the goals are to be achieved by 2015,particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. In preparationfor the United Nations high level event in Septemberwhich will assess global progress towardsmeeting the MDGs, the EU has decided to takeon a leadership role by promoting initiatives onaid financing, policy coherence and a specialinitiative on Africa. Ireland has been a leadingproponent of a strong EU role in promoting theMDGs, including during our 2004 EU Presidency,and we have submitted a national report to theEuropean Commission on our contributiontowards meeting the MDGs.With regard to overseas aid, the allocation for2005 provides for an increase of \70 million inGovernment spending on official developmentassistance, ODA, this year. This will bring totalGovernment aid to the developing world toapproximately \545 million in 2005, the highestallocation in the 30-year history of the aid programme.Further increases of \65 million will begiven in each of the years 2006 and 2007. Thismeans that over the three years from 2005 to2007, \1.8 billion will be spent by Ireland ondevelopment assistance. The welcome advantageof these multi-annual commitments, recognisedand recommended by the last OECD review ofour aid programme, is the ability to plan on along-term basis and to give our partners in sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere predictability offunding.The Government remains strongly committedto achieving the UN target for expenditure onODA. The issue of how best to meet the targetand in what timeframe is under ongoing review.In the coming months also, Development CooperationIreland will launch a consultative processthat will lead to a White Paper on developmentassistance. All interested stakeholders arebeing invited to submit views.On the issue of trade, Ireland has constantlystressed the needs of developing countries in thenegotiations on the Doha development agenda.The former Minister of State with responsibilityfor development co-operation and human rights,Deputy Kitt, took part in Ireland’s ministerialdelegation to the world trade talks in Cancun inSeptember 2003. At EU ministerial level, Irelandhas stressed the need to take on board the concernsof developing countries, including in thearea of special and differential treatment. TheEuropean Commission is engaged in negotiationswith the African, Caribbean and Pacific, ACP,states to conclude regional economic partnershipagreements, EPAs, which will enter into force atthe beginning of 2008. While a number of pointsof divergence remain to be resolved, Ireland supportsthe EPAs since they are intended to promotesustainable development and poverty eradicationin the ACP countries.The situation in Darfur in Sudan is a source ofparticular concern. The United Nations and theSecurity Council have been centrally involved inefforts to address the Darfur crisis and with thisin mind are, inter alia, assessing the possibility ofstrengthening the implementation of the UNarms embargo and broadening it to include theGovernment of Sudan. At national level, the IrishGovernment will continue to use all avenuesopen to it to urge action in addressing thehumanitarian, security and political challengeswhich exist in Darfur. In 2004, Ireland providedmore than \10 million in humanitarian support toSudan generally, of which \6.38 million went toDarfur. Additional funding will be delivered in2005.With regard to a global arms trade treaty aimedat preventing arms transfers which underminehuman rights and sustainable development, I amaware of a process led by a number of nongovernmentalorganisations, NGOs, includingAmnesty International and Oxfam, aimed at theconclusion of an international arms trade treaty.This treaty is intended to be a legally bindingagreement with core principles and mechanismsrelating to international transfers of arms. Whilework on the drafting of the text is still ongoing, itis a promising initiative and I commend theNGOs concerned for their efforts. My Departmentwill continue to be associated with the processand will closely monitor developments.Officials from my Department are attending ameeting on this subject in Tanzania this week.International Agreements.188. Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister forForeign Affairs the nature of contact his Departmenthas had at EU 133 committee meetings inview of the impact of liberalisation of trade withIreland’s priority aid countries; and if he willmake a statement on the matter. [6022/05]189. Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister forForeign Affairs if the Government will press itsEU partners for increased co-operation withACP countries to attain an extension of theCotonou waiver at the WTO or to change GATTArticle XXIV in order for the EU to continue togive preferential access to poor countries; and ifhe will make a statement on the matter.[6023/05]190. Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister forForeign Affairs the assessment his Departmenthas undertaken concerning the impact upon agriculturaland industrial producers in Ireland’s