One of the by-products of Ireland's new found prosperity is an increased capacity to give aid to countries further down the scale of economic development. Ireland's strong missionary tradition created a deep attachment between this country and a number of African states.
This effort initially found expression in voluntary donations, whether through schoolchildren's pennies or the more flamboyant vehicle of Live Aid - to which the Irish contribution was proportionately one of the highest.
These days substantial funds are transferred on a government-to-government basis and the recipient country is expected to make the requisite structural and other changes to ensure the money is put to best use.
Unfortunately it is one of the by-products as well as the causes of African poverty that governments there are often tainted with corruption to an even greater degree than some of their counterparts in the developed world.
The jury is still out on the government of Uganda, whose leader, President Yoweri Museveni, paid a one-day visit to Dublin this week. Uganda is unquestionably a far better place under his rule than it was under the mass murderers Idi Amin and Milton Obote. Almost alone among African leaders, Mr Museveni has significantly reduced the incidence of HIV-AIDS. He has also lifted millions of his fellow-citizens above the poverty-line. Primary school attendance has doubled in six years.
But there are serious doubts about the probity of some elements in his administration. Uganda's intervention in hostilities in the mineral-rich Democratic Republic of the Congo has given rise to alarming reports of corruption and human rights abuses by the Ugandan military. Millions of people may have died in the conflict there.
Ireland gives a lot of money to Uganda - €30 million this year alone and almost €84 million over the past four years. This is intended to be used for genuine aid and development purposes and not to facilitate the allocation of other funds for military adventures or to line the pockets of public officials. Concern about possible misuse of funds led the Government to divert €10 million into a ring-fenced anti-poverty scheme in Uganda this year.
Overseas aid would be dependent, ideally, on a system of perfect governance being in place in recipient countries. In the inevitable absence of such perfection - in Africa or anywhere else - it is imperative that the closest attention is paid to the way Irish taxpayers' money is spent. President Museveni's visit indicates he is aware of Irish sensitivities. Time will show whether he responds in the appropriate manner.