Joe Costello, Irish Minister for Trade and Development, has announced that there will be a public consultation as part of the review of the 2006 White Paper on Irish Aid. The consultation will seek submissions from the public and interested groups and organisations.
The White Paper sets out the Irish government's policy on international aid, including the guiding principles of the State's aid programme. A review of the White Paper, announced in June 2011, was one of the commitments set down in the current Programme for Government.
Public meetings will be taking place over the next six weeks in in Cork on 5 March, in Dublin on 26 March and in Sligo on 16 April. The first public meeting was held in Limerick this week. Contributions may also be made by members of the public in writing or by e-mail. Further information on the consultation process can be found here.
The Oireachtas, non-governmental organisations focused on development, the private sector and Ireland's partner countries will also be consulted. A report is due to be published later this year detailing the Government's programme for aid for the next few years.
Click here to see a press release from the Department of Foreign Affairs website on the consultation.