Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I support what Senator Hannigan had to say about the cuts in overseas development aid. This is a topic to which we have returned on a number of occasions and to which we will need to return again. I note that the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Power, urged the UN high level conference to recommit to the world's poor and stressed that between 200,000 and 400,000 more children would die needlessly as a result of poverty in the current economic crisis. However, it seems that the moral authority with which Irish Ministers can say such things is greatly lessened in circumstances where we have executed such swinging cuts to our overseas aid budget. I only hope that despite our economic crisis, there will continue to be an effort on the part of the Irish authorities to ensure we have the moral authority to make these statements on the international stage by undoing some of the damage we have done to our overseas aid budget. It is worth noting that the number of people on the brink of starvation has reached a record high of 1.02 billion, one sixth of the world's population, according to the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation. This is a critical issue, regardless of the severity of our own financial crisis.

I welcome what Senator Callely had to say and the article in today's The Irish Times reporting from Reuters that the Goal volunteers Sharon Commins and Hilda Kuwuki are reported to be in good health and that they are likely to be released shortly. Let us all hope that is so. This must be a terribly stressful time for their families and loved ones and all those involved in trying to ensure their safe release are to be commended and supported in their efforts.

I listened with care to what Senators Regan and Ross had to say about Arthur Cox. I accept the credentials of both Senators and I understand that there is a need for transparent dealing and clear structures that prevent conflicts of interest. Nonetheless, if I were a solicitor in a reputable legal firm I would not like it to be presumed that simply because my firm acted for more than one client there would automatically be corruption. We need to believe in the possibility of professional integrity while also insisting on the fact that good fences will make good neighbours and good internal structures will ensure that one is not just depending on professional integrity but that one has the structures to prevent wrongdoing.

I would imagine that there is more likely to be a danger of corruption in matters relating to finance and accountancy than legal advice because legal advisers will, I hope, generally advise their clients to the best of their ability while decisions will be taken elsewhere.