39 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent, if any, to which he has examined possible improvements in the Overseas Development Agency, with particular reference to the use of non-governmental organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14727/97]

There has been significant increases in Ireland's official development assistance in recent years. Since 1992 the budget has increased from £40 million which was equivalent to 0.16 per cent of GNP to £122 million this year which will be equivalent to 0.31 per cent of GNP. In other words the allocation has more than trebled in volume over a five year period. The present Government is committed to making steady progress in Irish ODA towards achieving the UN recommended target of 0.7 per cent of GNP. Specifically, we are committed to having the Irish aid budget reach 0.45 per cent of GNP by 2002.

The increase in budget has enabled us to develop programmes in new countries -Ethiopia and Uganda were established as priority countries for Irish aid in 1994 and Mozambique became a priority country in 1996. In addition the programmes in our existing countries — Lesotho, Tanzania and Zambia — were expanded. The first priority of Irish aid is to provide assistance to poorer developing countries; this assistance is designed to meet basic needs with an emphasis on poverty reduction and to contribute to long-term economic and social development. There is also an emphasis that assistance provided is both targeted and cost effective.

Ireland's bilateral aid programme also places particular emphasis on fostering democracy and respect for human rights. It recognises the need to address the causes of conflict and human disaster before they occur. The increase in the ODA budget has allowed Irish aid to support projects in the areas of human rights, building up democracy and rehabilitation of society.