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On 25 May 2007, Conor Lenihan, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, announced that Bono has agreed to participate on the Hunger Task Force. The Task Force, launched in April 2007, will draw on a range of Irish and international expertise in order to identify the particular contributions that Ireland can make to international efforts to reduce hunger.

The Minister of State also announced the appointment of a number of additional international experts to the Task Force:

* Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala - former Finance Minister of Nigeria * Dr Pamela K. Anderson, Director General of the International Potato Centre, Lima, Peru * Professor Lawrence Haddad of the UK Institute of Development Studies * Professor Denis Lucey UCC, Chairman of Gorta * Mr Kevin Farrell, Head of the World Food Programme in Zimbabwe.

Making the announcement, Minister Lenihan said:

“I am delighted that Bono has agreed to participate on the Irish Aid Hunger Task Force. Bono’s commitment to the developing world is well known. I am confident that he will bring his trademark enthusiasm, experience and insights to the Task Force. His participation will give the issue of global hunger and malnutrition the level of attention that it deserves.

Bono said:

"There are many injustices which make us scratch our heads, but children dying for lack of food in a world of plenty makes your blood boil. I’m a loud hailer with a few mad ideas, but experts like Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Professor Jeff Sachs have solutions, that’s what excites me about this Task Force. The government has a lot to be proud of when it comes to these issues. Keeping on track for 0.7 keeps the pressure on other countries to do the same."

Bono joins a Task Force of national and international experts who have a wealth of experience of development issues. The report of the Task Force will have a major influence on the future orientation of Ireland’s rapidly expanding Aid Programme”.

The full list of members of the Hunger Task Force can be read here