Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle's office for allowing me to take this question in place of Deputy Stephen Donnelly.

I attended the conference held in Dublin Castle last Friday. Ireland's reputation is second to none, but we could do more. The international financial institutions continue to lend money to countries which they know cannot repay it, knowing such borrowings will push these countries further into poverty. They are knowingly lending to oppressive regimes. The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo built up a debt of US$12.9 billion. Also, the conditions attached to such loans are affecting industry. There has been privatisation and decimation of local industry in a number of the countries in the global south. There continues to be a lack of democratic representation from southern countries at the IMF,as well as a lack of democracy in the leadership selection process at the World Bank. Can Ireland do something to address these two matters?

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