Getting supplies onto the agenda in Ireland
13th July 2008
On June 26, 2008 the Irish All Party Interest Group on Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights and Development hosted a seminar entitled "Population, Reproductive Health, Environment and the Millennium Development Goals." Senator Fiona O´Malley, chairperson of the Irish All Party Group, presided over the Leinster House event and was well attended by senators and TDs, including two former Ministers for Overseas Development Aid. The Irish Family Planning Association supported the organisation of the event as secretariat to the All Party Group.
Speaking first at the event was Richard Ottaway, former chairman of the UK All Party Group for Population, Development and Reproductive Health. Mr Ottaway gave a presentation on the findings of the UK report Return of the Population Growth Factor which set out the linkages between poverty, population, the environment, the Millennium Development Goals and reproductive health (RH). Following on was John Skibiak, Director of the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition, who explained the critical nature of delivering RH supplies to the developing world and invited Ireland to partner with the Coalition to deliver development aid more effectively.
Ireland´s overseas development aid has steadily increased since 1974 and is on target to reach 0.7% of GNP by 2012. Ireland works with programme countries, donor countries, multilateral organisations such as UNFPA and the Global Fund and also non-governmental organisations as part of the global effort to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. As an active member in the international aid community, Ireland is well placed to support efforts that place sexual and RH firmly on the agenda.
Parliamentarians in attendance at the seminar:
- Ivana Bacik, Independent Senator
- Conor Lenihan, FF TD
- Fiona O´Malley, PD Senator
- Simon Coveney, FG TD
- Tom Kittt, FF TD
- Ciaran Cuffe, Green Party
- Jan O'Sullivan, Lab TD
- Geraldine Feeney, FF Senator
- Damien English, FG TD
- Noel O'Flynn, FF TD
- Ann Ormonde, FF Senator
- Johnny Brady, FF TD
- Charlie O'Connor FF TD
- Noel Grealish PD TD
Categories: Featured, Advocacy and Accountability Working Group