Irish should use EU role to assist Ethiopia - report

Ireland should use its upcoming Presidency of the EU to increase resources being directed to Ethiopia and other sub-Saharan nations, a Joint Oireachtas Committee has found.

In a report on Ethiopia issued today, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs, suggested that Overseas Development Aid spending be included in the Budget for the next three years.

Streamlining EU decision making with regard to development aid should be prioritised by the Irish Presidency, the Committee suggested.

The Committee, chaired by Dr Michael Woods, recommended that because 85 per cent of Ethiopians work in mainly subsistence farming, Ireland should support agricultural research.

Ethiopia has a population of over 67 million with an average annual income of $100 per annum for every man, woman and child. This compares with $23,000 in Ireland.

The recent collapse of the global coffee market - which is Ethiopia's major export cash crop - has seen export revenues fall from €420 million to €175 million per annum, the Committee's report found.

Ethiopia is among the most indebted countries in the world and qualifies for debt relief. In 2003, Ireland Aid will send $30 million in assistance to Ethiopia to combat famine and to fight the HIV/Aids virus. More than 2 million Ethiopians are infected with the virus.

Submissions from a large number of Non-Government Organisations including Concern, Goal, Oxfam Ireland, Trocaire and Action Aid Ireland, were heard by the Committee members for just under 12 months.

Dr Michael Woods was joined on the Committee by his Fianna Fáil colleagues Mr Pat Carey, Mr Noel Davern, Mr Dan Wallace and Mr Tony Dempsey. Also on the Committee is Independent TD Mr Tony Gregory, Mr Michael D Higgins, Labour; Mr Gay Mitchell, Fine Gael; Mr Michael Noonan, Fine Gael; Ms Liz O'Donnell, PD and Mr Ruairí Quinn, Labour. Six Senators also sit on the Committee.