Ireland set to spend €1.5bn a year on aid

IRELAND will be spending €1.5 billion a year on overseas aid by 2012, the Government said yesterday.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern launched the first-ever white paper on Irish aid which sets out an ambitious blueprint for the future.

Mr Ahern said the aid programme represents what it means to be Irish in the 21st century.

“It represents our sense of broader social concern and our obligation to those with whom we share our humanity. Every day of the week, Irish people, through the aid programme, are providing the human and financial resources to uphold that vision,” he said.

Reaching the 0.7% of GNP target of expenditure on overseas aid will mean spending in the order of €1.5bn annually by 2012.

Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern said the white paper would increase development assistance and open up peacekeeping and rapid response roles in humanitarian disasters.

“There will also be a new focus on conflict resolution. We are adopting this new international role for which we are uniquely positioned”.

Minister of State Conor Lenihan said the white paper was an ambitious plan on an unprecedented scale.

“This is the first time in our island’s history that we have both the money and the expertise to make a real difference. A key challenge for Irish Aid is how to involve Irish citizens, institutions and expertise in the work we do abroad”.

The paper follows consultation with Irish NGOs, international organisations and directly with the Irish public through a series of town hall meetings around the country.

The document outlines key principles that will guide the expansion of the Government’s aid programme up until 2012.

It also announces some new areas of focus and initiatives to allow for greater and active participation by the Irish public.

Malawi is to become Ireland’s ninth partner country.

A new Rapid Response Initiative will include a roster of highly-skilled individuals from Ireland for deployment at short notice to emergency situations and disasters as they occur.

A dedicated Unit for Conflict Analysis and Resolution will be set up at the Department of Foreign Affairs to share Ireland’s experience and knowledge of conflict resolution and peace-building.

A Hunger Task Force will be set up, drawing on public and private sector expertise to tackle the root causes of food insecurity.

Early in 2007 the Government will open an Information and Volunteering Centre to facilitate those wishing to volunteer to work in the developing world.