Assembly group discusses overseas development

Mike Foster MP visited the Assembly today to meet with the All Party Group on International Development.  Mr Foster came to prominence for being the sponsor of the Westminster Bill to ban fox hunting back in the late 90’s and is now and international development minister. We discussed how our region could work with the British and Irish governments to develop a regional aid programme. Its about figuring out how we could develop a strategy which will allow us  to play an active role in the response to disasters and the reconstruction of countries such as Haiti.

The All Party Group does not enjoy the same status as a statutory committee and so does not receive any finance from the Northern Ireland Assembly as it remains within the jurisdiction of the British Government.

The group, under Carmel Hanna’s leadership, met with their counterparts in the South including Overseas Development Minister Peter Power TD to discuss ways in which they could contribute to Irish Aid’s efforts in assisting with international development.

We have many people from this region involved in overseas aid work though our numerous charities, the British and Irish Governments. I believe the time has come to look at how we can make a contribution of our own. To allow this region to take its place amongst other regions around the world and formally recognise the many thousands of our people who play such a big part in overseas development.