Question to:	Proinsias De Rossa
Issue:	Europe's role in the world
31.05.2009 Question sent by	My question relates to Europe’s Overseas Aid policy. Would you campaign to ensure that the European Parliament and the European Commission put pressure on Member States to meet their individual aid targets of 0.7% of Gross National Income by 2015? Given the current economic problems there is a risk that Member States will cut back their overseas aid budget. Failure to meet aid commitments puts the most vulnerable people in the world at risk. Would you also campaign to ensure that EU overseas aid is transparent and the Accra Agenda for Action is implemented to ensure that aid reaches those people that need it most? Thank you
04.06.2009 Reply from Proinsias De Rossa	Dear , Thanks for your question. The Labour Party is committed to reaching the 0.7% target. Our manifesto for the Euro-elections (available at www.derossa.com and www.labour.ie, p.21) states that "New, innovative sources of financing are needed in addition to delivering existing European aid commitments – notably, attributing at least 0.7% of Gross National Income to development policy – in a more coordinated, efficient and targeted way.". We have also condemned the Government´s decision to slash ODA spending by almost €100 million this year. With regard to the Accra agenda for action, I was present and voted for the EP´s resolution of 24 March 2009 on ´The EU priorities for the 64th Session of the UN General Assembly´. This urged the Council to sign ´...up to the principles enshrined in the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, and to the Accra Agenda for Action, in order to improve the quality and delivery of aid´ This resolution is available at www.europarl.europa.eu Best wishes, Proinsias
Source:	http://www.candidatewatch.ie/proinsias_de_rossa-30374-22146.html