Seanad debates

Thursday, 9 July 2009

10:30 am

Photo of Dominic HanniganDominic Hannigan (Labour)

Today the G8 countries are meeting in L'Aquila in Italy. Last week Archbishop Tutu and former President Mary Robinson wrote to the leaders asking them to set up a global fund for education. At the weekend the Pope also wrote to them, speaking about education and calling it an indispensable condition for the working of democracy. The Pope asked the G8 countries to reaffirm their commitment to development aid, something that was picked up by Sir Bob Geldof, who edited a special edition of La Stampa, the Italian newspaper at the weekend. He called on Prime Minister Berlusconi to explain himself for Italy's failure to match its commitments. Mr. Berlusconi said he was sorry, accepted that Italy had not met its commitments and reaffirmed that it would, within the next three years.

I ask the Leader to extend an invitation to Sir Bob Geldof to make a case in the Seanad as to why Ireland should reaffirm its commitment to meet its targets for development aid by 2012.

Yesterday we heard that the report of an bord snip nua is back from the printers and ready to be discussed by Ministers. On "Morning Ireland" today, Deputy Mary O'Rourke, from the Leader's constituency, made a very strong and compelling case as to why that report should be released and published as soon as possible. I agree with her and-----

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