asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied with the high cost of food aid from Ireland having regard to our efficiency as an agricultural producer; and if he has any proposals within the context of the EEC food programme and related national food programmes to improve the delivery of Irish food aid and reduce its cost to the recipients.

: The greater part of the food aid given by Ireland for the benefit of developing countries is given in the form of cash payments, to the World Food Programme (as a voluntary contribution to that body or to meet our obligations under the Food Aid Convention), and to the European Community budget in respect of Ireland's share of the food aid programmes of the Community.

In the case of our voluntary contribution to the World Food Programme, for which £650,000 has been budgeted in 1980, two-thirds is given in the form of food (in 1980 skim-milk powder).

I am aware that suggestions have been made that if, instead of receiving food aid in kind, either directly from Ireland or from the European Community, recipients were to be given the value of such aid in cash, they could buy considerably more food. The Deputy will appreciate that neither the constant availability nor cost of food products on the world market can be guaranteed. Consequently the supply of a certain quantity of food aid in kind is necessary. Given the continuing need of many developing countries for guaranteed supplies of food aid I am not satisfied that advantage would accrue from making our contribution to the World Food Programme entirely in cash.

20.