Could I just make a few comments on that?
A number of things came together at that particular time, and one of the first ones was the complexion of the government at the time, in that there was a minister who was from a more left-of-centre government, which probably might have been a factor—but it was still widely supported, so it might still have happened.
Probably what brought it to a head was that there was a UN summit in Copenhagen, a world summit of all the leaders from all the various countries, about combatting poverty. One of the key issues for debate at that stage was the need for a strategic approach. So the minister I mentioned was obviously inspired by that conclusion and got government approval to prepare a strategy and a strategic approach.
Then Kevin's organization, the Combat Poverty Agency, was on hand to assist greatly in this. They began—I think quite wisely, in retrospect—with wide consultation. So it wasn't a question of just a government-imposed strategy, but the fruits of maybe 18 months to two years of consultation with all the stakeholders, including the social partners and the non-governmental organizations. Through that, a fairly modest strategy was developed. But it had all the key elements I mentioned: there was a clear analysis of what the nature and scope of poverty was; there was a desire to set clear objectives and targets for achieving those objectives, and a setting out of what measures were to be taken to meet the targets and objectives; and then there was a system for monitoring them. The social partnership process was very much involved on the monitoring side.
I think everyone recognized the value of a strategic approach, because it was asking, how can we use our resources to the best effect, how can we mobilize all the people who, one way or another—including families at home—are trying to tackle poverty, and how can we deal with people who are disadvantaged, and so on? It's on that basis that I think it caught on. The very value of the process impressed itself on all the people involved, including the people experiencing poverty.
That's been the experience in all of the European countries who have now adopted this strategic approach through the European Union. It is very much what everyone currently recognizes should be done.