Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an tAire Stáit agus gabhaim buíochas den Chathaoirleach as an deis labhartha seo. I welcome the Minister of State and compliment him on his fine contribution. There is a broad consensus in the House on this issue. It is not only about morality, it is also about political action and goodwill. The issue of overseas aid is not perhaps in the lexicon of many people, which is unfortunate. However, the work Bob Geldof and U2 have done in highlighting overseas aid or debt relief has brought it to the attention of many, which is welcome.

When I was in college with Senator Wilson we studied liberation theology. There was a whole different dimension to the issues of Third World debt, overseas aid or foreign missionaries. Thankfully, we have changed the lexicon in regard to developing countries. We are talking about people who should be equal to us being helped to develop and progress.

There is a need for a debate on wealth redistribution throughout the world. Images of poverty, famine and HIV-AIDS, about which Senator de Búrca spoke, are beamed into our living rooms many times each year. Those images resonate with people for a limited time — usually until an advertisement campaign is over, which is unfortunate. The budget for Irish Aid will increase over the next six years, which is welcome.

Senator Daly referred to education. Perhaps twining schools is something at which we might look. Some of my students engaged in activities with students from other countries. It had a huge impact because it brought the issue of developing countries into the classroom, to the attention of the students and, more importantly, it galvanised them into action and into recognising that there are people in developing countries who do not have access to services which they have, including basic education, electricity, running water, hospitals and proper food, which Senator de Búrca mentioned. It is only when one hears a 15 year old read out a letter from a pen pal or from a library book, it hits home. We can educate a new generation of Irish people who can become leaders on the issues of developing countries, overseas aid and combatting world poverty. It is important we encourage young people.

I agree with Senator de Búrca on fair trade. My city of Cork is a fair trade city. I ask the Minister of State to encourage other local authorities to work in a proactive manner on the issue of fair trade. He might ask the Minister for Education and Science to make that issue a central part of a module of the CSPE programme. We should use the education system to encourage young people to re-evaluate their mindsets and to bring about change.

Some friends of mine who have worked as missionaries in Africa have told me Irish missionaries have played a central role in changing the quality of life of people on that continent without interfering with their culture or nature. As the Minister of State is aware, the World Bank recognises that the approach of Irish missionaries can serve as a model methodology to be adopted by other interests. I would like to salute the priests, nuns, brothers and lay people who have left this country to help people in other parts of the world. They have not done so in a patronising manner, but in a way that has helped African people to get in touch with how they can be better.

When I spoke yesterday to a gentleman who is in his 85th year, he said that having spent a 40-year period in Africa, he still misses it. We should recognise the work of an extraordinary man who has given a great deal of time to Africa. As he wants to see change there, he recognises the value of governmental input in the form of Irish Aid. I ask the Minister of State to examine the amount of money that is given to the Irish Missionary Resource Service, which has a membership of 85 missionary organisations. I understand the service's budget is approximately €16 million, although I am open to correction. Perhaps we can consider increasing that allocation, although I am not sure if the Minister of State plans to do so. Some of the ordained Irish missionaries who are starting to get old have spent many years working at grassroots level. They have put in place structures with the help of local people who understand the local culture. The Irish missionaries do not want to change the culture or lifestyle of the local people. Their work, which is assisted by the money allocated by the Government to missionary congregations, represents an Irish link with 60 of the poorest countries in the world. It is important that we recognise the value of Irish missionaries by increasing the budget of the Irish Missionary Resource Service and allowing them to continue the great work they are doing.

The Minister of State referred in his speech to non-governmental organisations. I agree with him that such organisations are often best placed to respond quickly when difficulties arise. Senator Alex White highlighted some staffing issues which need to be addressed. Staffing levels in Irish Aid need to be reviewed in light of the increase in Government spending on overseas aid. I ask the Minister of State and his Department to examine the matter.

A number of Senators addressed the issue of corruption, which seems to be a problem. Transparency International, which monitors corruption levels throughout the world, has ranked Ethiopia as the 92nd most corrupt country of the 113 countries it analysed. Serious corruption issues are also found in Mozambique. As Ireland is delivering aid in both of the countries I have mentioned, we need to take seriously the issue of corruption. As other Senators have said, our allocation of moneys to corrupt regimes seems to fly in the face of the good efforts we are making in the Third World. I ask the Minister of State to examine the possibility of more closely linking the provision of funds to the issue of good governance. Will he consider providing funds through bodies with a proven track record, such as GOAL and the Niall Mellon Township Trust? Will he examine the issues of transparency which are particularly relevant in corrupt nations? Will he clarify the commitments to which he was referring in his speech when he said "we are half way to the 2015 target date"? The assumption I have made in that regard might be wrong. I hope he is not trying to renege on any commitments.

The contribution made by the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Kitt, in the House today was comprehensive and, as Senator Alex White said, not political in any way. It behoves all of us to adopt a consensus approach to the issues of developing countries and overseas aid. The Minister of State will not have any difficulty in working with Senators on this side of the House as long as we see action in certain areas.