In his remarks, the Minister of State for International Development and the Diaspora, Seán Fleming T.D., discusses the legacy and significant achievements of Irish Aid 50. He outlines Ireland’s strong and consistent focus on ending poverty and hunger and how reaching the furthest behind first, especially in Africa, is at the heart of Irish Aid’s programme.

The Minister reflects on his own personal experiences as Minister for International Development since his appointed. He also addresses the many challenges and overlapping crises that are impacting Ireland’s international development programme. While attention this year has been centred on the Middle East and the plight of Ukraine and its people, the Minister highlights how Ireland has not put aside its commitments to and focus on those living in poverty and crisis in the least developed countries worldwide. Finally, he sets out Ireland’s priorities and responses to these interlinked challenges, focusing on: gender equality, reducing humanitarian need, climate action and strengthening governance.

About the Speaker:

Seán Fleming T.D. is Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with responsibility for International Development and Diaspora. He was appointed to this role in December 2022. He previously served as Minister of State at the Department of Finance. Minister Fleming was elected to represent the Laois-Offaly constituency at the 2020 General Election, having been first elected to the Dáil in 1997.