Soon after taking office, new Minister of State for Trade and Development, Jan O’Sullivan, T.D., said she was determined that the fight against poverty and hunger in the developing world would be at the heart of Ireland’s foreign policy.

Addressing a major conference in Dublin on the future of development aid in March, she also said the Government was committed to Ireland’s development programme and to the 0.7% GNP target.

“We are determined that the fight against poverty, hunger and inequality in the world should be at the centre of Ireland’s foreign policy,” Minister O’Sullivan said. “Ireland will continue to work relentlessly towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 by focusing our aid on the poorest people and communities, intensifying efforts to reduce poverty and hunger, tackling climate change and promoting education, especially for girls.”

She also committed to exploring the links between trade and development, the two key strands of her ministerial portfolio.

“I also hope to explore further the crucial issue of women in economic development,” said Minister O’Sullivan. “The majority of smallholder farmers in poor countries in Africa are women. When women can acquire assets, earn incomes, accumulate savings and have control over resources, they prioritise helping themselves and their families. Even small resources can make a significant difference.”