Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today discussed the need for good governance in relation to overseas aid when he met the president of Tanzania during his official visit to Africa.
Mr Ahern began his visit to Tanzania today with a number of official engagements in the capital Dar es Salaam and he met President Jakaya Kikwete this afternoon.
They were later joined by Minister for Overseas Development Michael Kitt, the Tanzanian prime minister Edward Lowassa and several Tanzanian ministers.
Mr Ahern said he and Mr Kikwete briefed each other on their respective economies.
The Taoiseach said he and President Kikwete also discussed some of the challenges that exist in other parts of Africa.
Mr Ahern said he welcomed the mediation role being played by Tanzania in Zimbabwe and expressed a desire to see meaningful policy change in Zimbabwe to "reverse the terrible impact on ordinary people".
He said that during the meeting, he also repeated Ireland's ongoing commitment to development in Tanzania, which will involve some €170 million in direct bilateral assistance between 2007 and 2010.
This year alone the direct aid figure will be about €40 million. Further support is provided by non-governmental organisations, missionaries and international organisations.
Ireland's aid programme with Tanzania has been in place since the mid-70s.
Mr Ahern said he welcomed The Taoiseach welcomed the president's "decisive approach to tackling any difficulties" encountered with regard to the good governance of aid.
He said Tanzania is a particularly important partner in Ireland's development programme, involving close collaboration with the Tanzanian government.
"It is making a real difference for the people in their everyday lives," he said.
Earlier, Mr Ahern visited a water point in Kigilagila and also Mwananyamala Municipal Hospital, both of which are supported by Irish Aid.
He will visit a number of other Irish Aid projects tomorrow.
The Tanzania trip is the second leg of Mr Ahern's visit to Africa. He will return to Dublin on Friday.