Minister of State with special responsibility for Overseas Development
Peter Power was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for Overseas Development in May 2008. As Minister of State for Overseas Development, Minister Power is responsible for Irish Aid, Ireland’s official development assistance (ODA) programme. Described by the OECD as a ‘cutting edge’ programme, Irish Aid’s assistance is untied and targeted at least developed countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition to over-seeing support for long-term development in these countries, Minister Power is also responsible for Ireland’s official response to humanitarian disasters.
Peter Power has designated the fight against global hunger a cornerstone of the Irish Aid programme. Since his appointment as Minister of State he has led the implementation of the recommendations of Ireland’s Hunger Task Force. Delivering Ireland’s address to the United Nation’s General Assembly in September 2009, Minister Power urged the international community to address the fundamental causes of hunger, with particular emphasis on agricultural research and support for women farmers.
Elected to Dáil Éireann (the Irish parliament) in the General Election of 2002, Peter Power represents the constituency of Limerick East. He served as Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Justice, Equality, Law Reform, Defence and Women’s Rights from 2007-2008. He held the position of Deputy Mayor of Limerick City from 2001-2002 and practised as a solicitor until his election to Dáil Éireann in 2002.
He lives in Limerick with his wife, Lorraine, and their four children.
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