Minister Flanagan & MoS McHugh announce the release of €3.92m in development funding to GOAL

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan TD, and the Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Joe McHugh, TD, have today (Tuesday) announced the release of €3.92 million in Irish Aid funding for the long term development work of GOAL.

Minister Flanagan stated:

"We withheld funding to GOAL due to the issues involved in a U.S. investigation of a number of NGOs regarding the procurement of humanitarian supplies for victims of the crisis in Syria.

"Following an intensive process of engagement with GOAL we are now releasing €3.92 million to meet the cost of development programmes which were delivered on the ground in recent months. These programmes were delivered in line with the original agreement between GOAL and Irish Aid.”

Minister of State McHugh added:

"We are encouraged by the ongoing work of GOAL to introduce substantial institutional reform.

"We continue our close engagement with GOAL and we remain in contact with the US authorities and other international donors.

"Additional funding for GOAL for work carried out in 2016 remains under consideration."

Press Office
13 December 2016

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